ALPA 38
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 37.28 ft |
| LWL | 27.25 ft |
| Beam | 11.2 ft |
| Draft | 5 ft |
| Displacement | 18,000 lb |
| Ballast | 7,619.4 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.0 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 44.95 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 14.24 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 38.8 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 14.57 ft |
| FLforestay | 14.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 625.3 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 320 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 544.1 sq ft |
About the ALPA 38
S&S Design #2172. Many thanks for Norman Prefontaine for prividing information on this model. Also available as a ketch. The ALPA 36MS and ALPA 38 seem to be nearly the same.
The Alpa 38 is a classic Italian-built cruiser designed by Sparkman & Stephens, with production records indicating a single build year of 1976. As the exact hull count is unverified in the source data, prospective buyers should rely on the boat's robust 18,000 lb displacement and 397.12 D/L ratio as indicators of its heavy, stable construction typical of late-1970s S&S designs.
- Best for:
- This vessel is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers and those seeking a comfortable, motion-dampened passage-making experience, given its high comfort ratio of 36.82 and substantial beam of 11.2 ft.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.71 and a displacement of 18,000 lb, the Alpa 38 exhibits strong inherent stability and sea-keeping characteristics suitable for protected offshore passages, though its single-year production run suggests limited long-term parts availability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Sparkman & Stephens-designed Tartan 38 and the similarly heavy-displacement Cal 40, as they share the era's emphasis on stability, safety, and conservative hull forms over pure speed.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the ALPA 38 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 37.28ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the ALPA 38yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a ALPA 38? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your ALPA 38?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the ALPA 38
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…