A popular choice among cruising sailors seeking comfort and practicality, the Hunter 38 represents the kind of boat that Hunter Marine built its reputation on — approachable, well-appointed, and designed with the everyday sailor in mind. Rigged as a sloop, it offers a straightforward sail plan that keeps handling manageable for couples or small crews, making it a strong candidate for coastal cruising and extended liveaboard passages alike. Hunter's design philosophy leaned heavily toward maximizing interior volume and ease of use, and the 38 reflects this with a spacious cockpit and a cabin layout that prioritizes livability. The brand consistently produced boats that appealed to sailors who wanted reliable performance without the complexity of a racing-oriented design, and the 38 fits comfortably within that tradition. For buyers researching a first larger cruiser or a retirement boat, the Hunter 38 deserves serious consideration. Its sloop rig makes single-handed or shorthanded sailing realistic, and a strong owner community means parts, advice, and used examples are relatively easy to find. It is a practical, capable cruiser with a proven track record.
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- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering.
- See our full analysis: What Thousands of Sailboat Listings Tell Us About Used Boat Prices.
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What is the Hunter 38's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Hunter 38 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 22.88. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Hunter 38's comfort ratio?
The Hunter 38 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 26.28. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Hunter 38 safe for offshore sailing?
The Hunter 38 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.96. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Hunter 38?
The theoretical hull speed of the Hunter 38 is 7.89 knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Hunter 38 weigh?
The Hunter 38 has a displacement of 18342 and a length overall (LOA) of 38.
How much does a used Hunter 38 cost?
Based on 3 recent market listings, used Hunter 38 sailboats typically sell for between $47,000 and $122,000, with a median asking price of $89,900. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Hunter 38?
The Hunter 38 was designed by Glenn Henderson, first built in 2004.