Hanse 388 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 388 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Ericson |
| Year | 2017 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.73 m (12.2 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 29 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 140 L (37.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 260 L (68.7 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 388 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 388 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The Hanse 388 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the Hanse 388 measures 11.40m (37.4ft) overall with a beam of 3.73m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 0.18m longer than the Hanse 388. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 4% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 388 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.17 and 63.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 388 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 388 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Hanse 388 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 388 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L of water capacity and 140L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Hanse 388 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Ericson 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Hanse 388 · 1984 Ericson 38