2005 Hunter 38

Cruising World named the Hunter 38 its Best Production Cruiser Under 40 Feet for 2005, crediting its performance and the way its design ideas were carried through.

Designer Glenn Henderson developed the hull with 3D simulation software and settled on a larger rudder and a smaller keel for a more responsive boat. Testing it for Sailing Magazine in 2005, John Kretschmer found it went better than 6 knots on a close reach in 10 knots of wind, noted that the boat "balanced well," and wrote that "the ride was silky smooth." The hull is balsa cored above the waterline and solid laminate below, with Kevlar added from the stem to the keel sump.

The B&R rig eliminates the backstay, and with a stainless arch carrying the traveler and mainsheet, the result is an open, uncluttered cockpit. The arch also gives the bimini a solid mount. One owner on the Sailboat Owners forum called the boat easy to sail singlehanded, with the in mast furling and headsail sheets at the helm, and said it points well for a cruiser because the jib track is only 28 inches from the centerline.

Below, Kretschmer described a large, bright, airy saloon with 6 foot 6 inch headroom. Practical Sailor noted that the dual purpose engine cover exposes both sides and the back of the engine.

This boat has the Mariner package 36" Lewmar folding wheel, a VHF remote mic at the helm, and Sony speakers in the arch. The Flexiteek on the cockpit seats and sole is in good condition, and the cockpit cushions are in very good condition.

• Stainless cockpit arch
• Arch mounted bimini, tan Sunbrella
• Harken adjustable mainsheet traveler on arch
• Sony cockpit speakers in the arch
• Flexiteek on cockpit seats and sole
• Cockpit cushions
• Edson geared steering with single lever engine control, lighted compass, and stainless wheel guard
• 36" Lewmar folding wheel
• Hinging helmsman seat
• VHF remote mic at the helm
• Jib sheet winches placed aft at the helm
• Integral cockpit grabrail and fold out table
• Hot and cold transom shower
• Walk through transom with swim platform
• Stainless telescoping swim ladder
• Stainless stern rail with seats and drink holders
• Double lifelines with three gates
• Two transom storage lockers
• Magma gas grill
• Outboard bracket on the pushpit

The owner's version aft cabin has built in lounging seats, two large cedar lined hanging lockers, an innerspring mattress, and private access to the head and shower. The boat has two Dometic air conditioners: a 16,000 BTU forward unit, new in 2020, and a 6,000 BTU aft unit. The Oceanaire hatch shades and the accordion window shades are in excellent condition.

• 2 cabin, 1 head owner's version
• Forward air conditioner, Dometic 16,000 BTU, new (2020)
• Aft air conditioner, Dometic 6,000 BTU
• Innerspring mattress in the aft cabin
• Oceanaire hatch shades with screens
• 6 foot 6 inch saloon headroom
• Convertible dinette with removable table leaf
• Bose 3·2·1 CD/DVD and AM/FM entertainment system
• 15" flat panel TV
• Forward cabin with two cedar lined hanging lockers
• Navigation station
• Accordion window shades
• Five opening deck hatches and six opening ports, all with screens
• Electric fresh water flush toilet in the head, new
• Companionway bug screen

The galley has the front loading refrigerator, Corian countertops, a microwave, and a 2 burner LPG gimbaled stove with oven.

• Front loading refrigerator
• 2 burner LPG gimbaled stove with oven
• Two LPG bottles
• Microwave oven
• Double stainless sinks
• Corian countertops
• Dish storage cabinet with blower and light

The 2020 UK Sailmakers main furls into the mast, and the genoa rolls up on the jib furler. The upper shrouds and forestay are original; the lowers were replaced in 2024.

• Selden B&R double spreader fractional rig
• In mast furling
• Mainsail, UK Sailmakers (March 2020)
• Genoa, UK Sailmakers (March 2020)
• Jib furling system
• Lower standing rigging, V1 both sides, replaced (April 2024)
• Upper shrouds and forestay, original
• Selden rigid boom vang
• Two speed self tailing jib sheet winches (2)
• Two speed self tailing rigging winches (2)
• Internal halyards led to the cockpit, with two sets of line stoppers and organizers
• Inboard jib tracks with adjustable cars
• WinchRite electric winch handle

The factory Raymarine ST290 Premier and ST60 instruments and 7000 autopilot are joined by the 2025 e125 chartplotter in a nav pod and the 700 series AIS transceiver. All of the electronics are in working order.

• Raymarine ST290 Premier package
• Raymarine ST60 knot and depth
• Raymarine ST60 wind
• Raymarine 7000 autopilot
• Raymarine e125 chartplotter in a nav pod (April 2025)
• Raymarine 700 series AIS transceiver
• VHF radio with remote mic at the helm
• Handheld VHF

The engine is the factory 40 HP upgrade, a Yanmar 3JH4E with 1,300 hours, turning a three blade propeller. The engine raw water hose was replaced in 2024.

• Yanmar 3JH4E, 40 HP (factory upgrade), 1,300 hours
• Engine raw water hose replaced (2024)
• Three blade propeller
• Lift assisted engine access
• 60 amp alternator
• Automatic engine room fire extinguishing system (not serviced)

An inverter runs the TV and stereo, and a separate AGM battery starts the engine and generator. The shore power kit includes smart plug cords and a 50 amp to 30 amp pigtail.

• Fischer Panda 5 kW AC generator, 80 hours (January 2021) - Air-Conditioning at anchor!
• House bank, two Lifeline 4D AGM batteries, 210 amp hours each (August 2025)
• AGM start battery for the engine and generator
• Inverter for the TV and stereo
• Galvanic isolator
• Battery charger
• Shore power cords: 30 foot smart cord, 25 foot smart plug cord, 25 foot regular 30 amp cords, and two 50 foot cords
• 50 amp to 30 amp pigtail
• Isolation transformer
• AC/DC switch panel
• Dual 12 volt battery switches

Ground tackle is a Delta anchor on 25 feet of chain and 150 feet of rode, with the factory electric windlass.

• Electric anchor windlass
• Delta anchor
• 25 feet of chain and 150 feet of rode
• Dual offset anchor rollers
• Anchor well

• Shoal draft lead keel
• Red bottom paint (2026)
• Balanced spade rudder with composite shaft
• Balsa cored hull sides, solid fiberglass bottom, structural grid
• Kevlar hull reinforcement
• Through bolted hull to deck joint
• Bronze thru hulls below the waterline
• Electric automatic bilge pump
• High volume manual bilge pump

• Fresh water, 75 gallons
• Fuel, 35 gallons
• Holding tank, 34 gallons, with macerator
• 5 gallon electric water heater
• Hot and cold pressure water
• Shower sump pump
• Tank gauges for fuel, water, and waste

• Large inventory of spares
• Owner's manuals
• 15" TV and Bose 3·2·1 system

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com