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

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.

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

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

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 3611.55 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1998-2000 production cruiser featuring a high 21.12 sail area-to-displacement ratio for its 11.55-meter hull
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
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
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
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
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

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.

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