Question 1

What are the specs of the SUN 838?

Accepted Answer

The SUN 838 has the following specifications: 27.5ft LOA, 9ft beam, 4.3ft draft, 6,200lb displacement, 2,300.2lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Fin.

Question 2

Who built the SUN 838 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Sun Yachts, designed by Monk/Perry, first built in 1977.

Question 3

Is the SUN 838 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The SUN 838 is classified as a Offshore Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 21.39, which means it offers moderate comfort, good for coastal cruising and some offshore work. The capsize screening ratio is 1.96, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 4

How fast is the SUN 838?

Accepted Answer

The SUN 838 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 16.5, which indicates moderate performance suitable for cruising. The displacement to length ratio is 242.99, making it a moderate displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a SUN 838?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a SUN 838 is estimated at $1.2K – $3.3K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a SUN 838 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the SUN 838 (27.5ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $1.2K – $3.3K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 27.5ft boat: Florida: $5,000-$13,200/year. California: $4,600-$11,600/year. Massachusetts: $3,500-$7,700/year + $1,100 winter storage. New York: $3,500-$9,600/year + $1,100 winter storage. Maryland: $3,300-$5,900/year. Texas: $2,000-$5,900/year. Washington: $4,000-$8,600/year. Michigan: $1,900-$4,200/year + $1,100 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,000-$5,900/year. South Carolina: $4,300-$8,300/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $4K to $22K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a SUN 838?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the SUN 838 (27.5ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $5,000-$13,200/year. California: $4,600-$11,600/year. Massachusetts: $3,500-$7,700/year + $1,100 winter storage. New York: $3,500-$9,600/year + $1,100 winter storage. Maryland: $3,300-$5,900/year. Texas: $2,000-$5,900/year. Washington: $4,000-$8,600/year. Michigan: $1,900-$4,200/year + $1,100 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,000-$5,900/year. South Carolina: $4,300-$8,300/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the sail dimensions of the SUN 838?

Accepted Answer

The SUN 838 has the following rig dimensions: I=33.9ft (foretriangle height), J=11.9ft (foretriangle base), P=29ft (mainsail luff), E=10ft (mainsail foot). Mainsail area: 358.3 sq ft. Jib area: 201.7 sq ft.

Question 9

How does the SUN 838 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The SUN 838 is classified as a Offshore Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 27.5ft LOA, comfort ratio 21.39, capsize ratio 1.96, SA/disp 16.5. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	27.5 ft
LWL	22.5 ft
Beam	9 ft
Draft	4.3 ft
Displacement	6,200 lb
Ballast	2,300.2 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	6.4 kn

Iforetriangle height	33.9 ft
Jforetriangle base	11.9 ft
Pmainsail luff	29 ft
Emainsail foot	10 ft
FLforestay	11.9 ft
Mainsail	358.3 sq ft
Jib (100%)	201.7 sq ft
Spinnaker	342.9 sq ft

SUN 838

Specifications

Hull

Rig & Sails

About the SUN 838

Direct variant of the SUN 838

Performance

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