Yankee 38

The Yankee 38 is a masthead sloop designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Yankee Yachts Inc. from 1972 to 1975. It measures 11.6 meters LOA, with a 3.6-meter beam, 1.9-meter draft, and 7257 kg displacement. The design, S&S #2094-C2, is based on the 1971 IOR One Ton racer 'Lightnin'. Its molds were later acquired by Catalina Yachts and, with modifications, became the Catalina 38.4:23 Sparkman & Stephens designs from the 1970s, particularly those influenced by the International Offshore Rule (IOR), prioritized racing handicaps, leading to hulls with short waterlines, wide beams, and significant tumblehome. These design characteristics, while aiming to minimize measured waterline length for racing, could compromise stability in heavy seas.