Seller's Description
This 1985 Beneteau First 38, hull #324, “Alibi,” is a beautifully crafted French sailboat with a history of care and thoughtful upgrades. With an overall length of 40 2 and a beam of 12 10, this vessel offers exceptional space and performance. Equipped with a reliable Perkins 4-108 engine (2,530 hours) and a ZF 15M transmission installed in 2020, it ensures smooth operation.
The deck features a Mantus anchor, Quick Windlass, and dual B&G Triton displays for confident cruising, complemented by a well-maintained Isomat rig with self-furling Genoa and spare sails, including a never-used storm sail. Living aboard is comfortable with a three-burner stove, double sink, and functional water system, plus solar panels and a Renogy charge controller for sustainable energy. Recent updates include antifouling paint and anode replacement (Feb 2023), with no significant hull issues during current ownership. This is an ideal boat for those seeking adventure and reliable performance on the water.
Equipment: visit www.allpointsyachtsales.com for more photos and details
Specs
- Designer
- Berret-Racoupeau
- Builder
- Beneteau
- Associations
- ?
- # Built
- ?
- Hull
- Monohull
- Keel
- Fin
- Rudder
- Spade
- Construction
- FG
Dimensions
- Length Overall
- 37′ 11″ / 11.6 m
- Waterline Length
- 33′ 9″ / 10.3 m
- Beam
- 12′ 0″ / 3.7 m
- Draft
- 4′ 5″ / 1.4 m
- Displacement
- 15,660 lb / 7,101 kg
- Ballast
- 6,620 lb / 3,001 kg (Iron)
Rig and Sails
- Type
- Sloop
- Reported Sail Area
- 641′² / 59.6 m²
- Total Sail Area
- 641′² / 59.5 m²
Mainsail
- Sail Area
- 293′² / 27.2 m²
- P
- 42′ 3″ / 12.9 m
- E
- 13′ 10″ / 4.2 m
- Air Draft
- ?
Foresail
- Sail Area
- 348′² / 32.3 m²
- I
- 48′ 3″ / 14.7 m
- J
- 14′ 5″ / 4.4 m
- Forestay Length
- 50′ 4″ / 15.4 m
Auxilary Power
- Make
- Perkins
- Model
- 4108
- HP
- 45
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
- Fuel Capacity
- ?
- Engine Hours
- ?
Accomodations
- Water Capacity
- ?
- Holding Tank Capacity
- ?
- Headroom
- ?
- Cabins
- 1
Calculations
- Hull Speed
-
9.6 kn
Classic: 7.79 kn
Hull Speed
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Formula
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
A more accurate formula devised by Dave Gerr in The Propeller Handbook replaces the Speed/Length ratio constant of 1.34 with a calculation based on the Displacement/Length ratio.
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio.311
Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
- Sail Area/Displacement
-
16.4
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
Formula
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64)2/3
- SA: Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D: Displacement in pounds.
- Ballast/Displacement
-
42.3
>40: stiffer, more powerful
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Formula
Ballast / Displacement * 100
- Displacement/Length
-
180.6
100-200: light
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
Formula
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
- Comfort Ratio
-
22.8
20-30: coastal cruiser
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Formula
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam1.33)
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
- Capsize Screening
-
2.1
>2.0: better suited for coastal cruising
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
Formula
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
Notes
AKA (in the US) as the BENETEAU 38.
The MOORINGS 38/39 (shoal draft with shorter rig) is similar with some changes to the interior more oriented to the charter trade.
A number of keel and rig options were available.
Shoal draft 1: 5.5’/1.68m.
Shoal draft 2: 4.9’/1.49.
Taller Rig:
I: 50.20’/15.30m
J: 14.42’/4.39m
P: 44.30’/13.50m
E: 13.83’/4.21m
Tot. SA: 667.11 ft2/61.97 m2
Short rig:
I: 47.00’/14.33m
J: 14.42’/4.40m
P: 42.60’/12.98m
E: 13.83’/ 4.22m
Tot. SA: 633.45ft2/ 8.85m2
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