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3data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this CHALLENGER 38 KETCH buyer’s report
CHALLENGER 38 KETCH

CHALLENGER 38 KETCH

Challenger Yachts Corp.🇺🇸· Design: Howard Stern
$46,000 avg$38,000 – $50,000 (3 listings)from 1972
$3.2K – $8.7K est. annual maintenance
Bluewater CruisermonoMasthead KetchFin

Specifications

Hull

LOA39.92 ft
LWL34 ft
Beam12.83 ft
Draft6 ft
Displacement24,800 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL7.8 kn

Rig & Sails

Iforetriangle height45 ft
Jforetriangle base12.68 ft
Pmainsail luff39.5 ft
Emainsail foot14.5 ft
PYmizzen luff26.5 ft
EYmizzen foot9.5 ft
FLforestay12.7 ft
Mainsail594.6 sq ft
Jib (100%)285.3 sq ft
Spinnaker485 sq ft

About the CHALLENGER 38 KETCH

Dimensions for ketch rig. See CHALLENGER 38 for more details.

Sailpages Buyer's Take

The Challenger 38 Ketch is a heavy-displacement cruising yacht designed by Howard Stern and built by Challenger Yachts Corp. in the USA. Production was limited to the year 1972, with the exact number of hulls built remaining unknown.

Best for:
This vessel is best suited for conservative coastal cruisers and those seeking a stable, comfortable passage-making platform, given its high comfort ratio of 35.81 and low sail area-to-displacement ratio of 13.18.
Bluewater capability:
With a displacement of 24800.0 lb and a low capsize ratio of 1.76, the boat possesses the inherent stability and mass required for offshore passages, though its age necessitates rigorous structural verification.
Comparables:
Comparable boats include other heavy-displacement ketches from the early 1970s, such as the Cal 40 or O'Day 38, which share similar beam dimensions and a focus on stability over speed.

Direct variant of the CHALLENGER 38 KETCH

Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.

CHALLENGER 381972

Performance

Comfort35.8
Capsize1.76
SA/Disp13.2
Disp/Len282

Estimated Value

Low Confidence
Based on 3 listings
Low
$34,188
Estimated Value
$38,850
High
$38,850
Inflation-adjusted to 2026 USD

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 39.92ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$3.2K – $8.7K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
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Annual Insurance
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Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

1 reported issues across 1 systems for the CHALLENGER 38 KETCH, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.

1 minor
Engine1

Unlock the full inspection report

Thinking of buying a CHALLENGER 38 KETCH? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.

  • ✓ All 1 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
  • ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
  • ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep

One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep

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Which engine powers your CHALLENGER 38 KETCH?

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 CHALLENGER 38 KETCH

Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…