BoatsJeanneau Sun Shine 38

Jeanneau Sun Shine 38

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1987–1989

An extended-stern evolution of the Sun Shine 36, this masthead sloop balances a 38% ballast ratio for offshore stability

Designed by Tony Castro.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Jeanneau Sun Shine 38, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Chez Team

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 20 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 20
CoastalBluewater

2.17 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.17
LightHeavy

165 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 165
EasygoingPowered-up

18.0 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.0
TenderStiff

38% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 38%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

What the fleet has seen

The Jeanneau Sun Shine 38, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Jeanneau Sun Shine 38 is a masthead sloop designed by Tony Castro, built by Jeanneau from 1987 to 1989, and characterized by its fin with spade rudder hull. It measures 11.7 meters LOA, with a 3.9-meter beam, 1.9-meter draft, and displaces 5750 kg. The design is an evolution of the Sun Shine 36, featuring an extended stern, and shares similarities with the Regatta 39. Variants include a team version, an owner's version, and a keel/centerboard option. Aboard Chez Team, a 2017 Jeanneau 38 was considered for purchase in the British Virgin Islands, indicating the model's continued presence and desirability in the charter and resale markets.12:04

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Jeanneau Sun Shine 38 on video

Who's been looking

Market signal

Crews the fleet has filmed weighing this model up — no sale seen, and no asking price.

1channel looked into buying

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
38.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.0
Displacement / length
164.9
Comfort ratio
19.5
Capsize screening
2.17
Hull speed
7.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1467
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1987–1989
Designer
Tony Castro
Builder
Jeanneau

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Bavaria Yachts 3711.55 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA short-lived production model from 2000-2001, formerly marketed as the Bavaria 36, featuring a masthead sloop rig
Camping On Boat With My Girlfriend - Sailing and surviving the BIG swell12:48from The Paper Boat Project (Stefan Heiberg)
Beneteau Oceanis 39011.68 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Philippe Briand-designed masthead sloop featuring a spacious beam and an optional wing keel for shoal draft versatility
Manwë Odyssey Bonus03 - Making fender coversfrom Manwë Odyssey
Catalina Yachts 37511.73 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2008 fractional sloop with a 2.08-metre draft and a balanced displacement-to-ballast ratio for coastal stability
Catalina 375 Boat Tour0:01from Sailing Doodles
Etap 38i11.57 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop featuring a shallow-draft wing keel, designed for stable cruising and built between 1989 and 1997
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELSfrom VOILIER ODIN
Jpk 39 FC11.72 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 5,600kg fast cruiser introduced in 2021, featuring a 2.15-metre draft and a bulb keel for offshore stability
JPK 39 FC English0:10from SEILmagasinet
Beneteau 39311.63 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop offering a shallow 1.55m draft option for coastal access, built with a high-volume hull since 2002
Should You Buy A USED Sailboat from Bahamas? Ep 245 - Lady K Sailing0:48from Lady K Sailing

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Jeanneau Sun Shine 36A production version of the IOR 1-ton class, this masthead sloop features a truncated stern and a 1.92-metre fin keelJeanneau Regatta 39A Tony Castro-designed fractional sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio built for performance since 1982Jeanneau Sun Rise 34A Jacques Fauroux-designed masthead sloop built for performance, featuring a stiff fin keel and balanced hull linesJeanneau Sun Odyssey 39A Jacques Fauroux-designed masthead sloop sharing its versatile hull with the Sun Fast and Sun Charm 39 seriesJeanneau Sun Charm 39A Jacques Fauroux-designed masthead sloop built for the charter trade, offering a balanced sail area and shoal draft optionsJeanneau Sun Fast 39A performance-oriented Jacques Fauroux design featuring a fractional rig and a high sail area-to-displacement ratio

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Jeanneau Sun Shine 38, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

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