southerly sailboat review

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Quick Look: Southerly 38

By Jeremy McGeary
Updated: August 27, 2008

Northshore Yachts has steadily toiled in its chosen niche for several decades now, so that its new Southerly 38 has a great deal of experience behind it. The niche is that of the swing-keel, raised-saloon cruising boat-it offers deep-draft sailing performance and shallow-draft harbor access while providing those inside with a panoramic view of the outside.

Designer Stephen Jones has given the Southerly 38 twin rudders, the better to steer her with while honoring the shoal-draft commitment, and mainsheet traveler tag lines led to both of the twin helms, the better to control her with. A self-tacking jib further simplifies the business of sailing.

Belowdecks, Northshore offers a choice of wood trim and allows some modifications to the basic layout, which has a V-berth cabin forward, another double cabin aft, the galley to port of the companionway and Southerly’s trademark elevated nav desk to starboard. The saloon is full of natural light and the settees are set up to be sea berths.

www.southerly.com