Hans Christian 38T Buyer's Guide
The Hans Christian 38T is a heavy displacement double-ender built from 1976 until about 1989, with 167 Traditionals constructed including 30 Telstar variants. On the brokerage market she appears in owner and ex-charter hands alike, and her traditional profile makes her easy to spot but harder to assess without a focused survey.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin arrangements are the more common layout afloat, though both original configurations turn up. The early 38T offered a pullman berth or a forepeak v-berth, and the later MkII Interior moved the pullman aft with the head forward; that version shows a truncated teak coaming at the stern, shared only with the 33 Traditional. Ex-charter examples are common, so verify which interior and rig a given hull carries before comparing boats.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Power and energy systems are commonly fitted with solar, while radar, autopilot, and chartplotter are standard expectations on most listings. Often-seen upgrades include watermaker, inverter, and heating, with AIS, EPIRB, and life raft frequently carried for offshore use. Canvas and sail-handling additions such as bimini and dodger are less uniform, and a spinnaker or dinghy davits appear as occasional owner upgrades rather than factory fit. Buyers should treat a watermaker and heating as bonuses, not assumptions, and confirm the autopilot and plotter are operational.
What to Inspect
Chainplates need checking for leakage paths, and hoses should be inspected for deterioration with clamps examined for rust — early vessels did not always use quality metals clamp corrosion risk. Through-hulls and seacocks must be tested for looseness that develops with age, and any teak deck not already replaced warrants close inspection. The electrical system is the expected weak point: some older boats used automotive-grade wiring prone to corrosion, and looms were hidden under teak battens and liners so repairs are costly concealed wiring looms.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States, Australia, Mexico, Spain, Malta, and New Zealand. For a purchase decision, keep a short list:
- Confirm hull is 38T or Telstar and note the rig (cutter vs ketch, MkII tall rig)
- Inspect chainplates, seacocks, and hose clamps for age-related failure
- Budget for electrical remediation and difficult loom access
- Verify teak decks replaced or sound
- Match equipment tier to intended use (solar/common vs watermaker/occasional)
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hans Christian 38T. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 14 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 1 | $80,408 | — |
| Feb 25 | 1 | $111,179 | +38.3% |
| May 25 | 2 | $79,950 | -28.1% |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $85,000 | +6.3% |
| Sep 25 | 3 | $80,000 | -5.9% |
| Oct 25 | 4 | $61,200 | -23.5% |
| Nov 25 | 2 | $130,000 | +112.4% |
| Dec 25 | 3 | $88,500 | -31.9% |
| Jan 26 | 4 | $105,441 | +19.1% |
| Feb 26 | 2 | $36,250 | -65.6% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $77,999 | +115.2% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $96,723 | +24.0% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $16,500 | -82.9% |
| Aug 26 | 4 | $70,954 | +330.0% |
Where they're listed
Hans Christian 38T listings appear across 5 countries. United States has the most listings with 18 (69.2%), followed by Australia and Mexico.
Country view
26 listings · 5 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $79,500 | 18 | 3 | 69.2% |
| Australia | $104,007 | 3 | 1 | 11.5% |
| Mexico | $130,000 | 3 | 0 | 11.5% |
| Spain | $96,723 | 1 | 0 | 3.8% |
| New Zealand | $62,407 | 1 | 1 | 3.8% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
6 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans Christian 38TYou are here | — | $ 79,950 | 26 | 5 |
| Hans Christian 43 | 42.62' | $ 119,000 | 23 | 2 |
| Hans Christian Christina 40 | 39.83' | $ 99,000 | 18 | 2 |
| Alajuela 38 | 46' | $ 57,500 | 12 | 4 |
| Hans Christian 38 Mk II | 46' | $ 79,900 | 11 | 3 |
| Hans Christian 48 | 47.83' | $ 247,473 | 7 | 2 |