Hull and Deck Design
Henderson's approach to the underbody broke from Hunter convention. Rather than leaning on the keel for all lateral resistance, he used a large rudder and smaller keel as complementary lift components, a configuration he credited with producing a more responsive boat. The extended 34-foot-8-inch waterline that came with the hull's length-to-beam proportions was calculated to increase speed potential over the predecessor 386. At the bow end, a J measurement of just 12 feet 1 inch means two-thirds of the boat is aft of the mast — the geometry of a performance fractional rig, not a cruising masthead plan.
The wide stern is impossible to ignore. The 12-foot-11-inch beam is carried aft to a cockpit measurement of 10 feet 6 inches athwartships, and freeboard reaches 50 inches at the transom. That stern section earns the boat its double identity: what is a spacious entertaining platform at anchor becomes significant windage and a cosmetic compromise underway. Henderson himself acknowledged it: "You've got to compromise somewhere" to execute the balance of his design goals.
Rig and Handling
The sail plan is Henderson's signature work. He refused to design a masthead rig, arguing that a fractional arrangement with a large mainsail and small headsail delivers superior performance and easier handling for short-handed crews. The B&R double-spreader Selden mast carries no backstay, which allows a mainsail with a powerful roach and clears space for the bimini frame over the cockpit. The boom extends to that frame, producing end-boom sheeting angles more efficient than a cabintop arrangement, with all sail controls led to the helm.
On the water, the results confirmed the design intent. In testing on the Chesapeake Bay, the 38 registered 7.5 knots boat speed in 10 knots of breeze when sheets were eased, and tacked through 85 to 90 degrees — better than earlier Hunters. The helm was described as light and responsive when sails were properly trimmed, with roughly 10 degrees of heel in moderate conditions. The Yanmar diesel motors the boat easily at 6 knots, adequate for most cruising conditions.
The one significant caveat is the in-mast furling option. Practical Sailor's testers found that in-mast furling reduces sail area by 148 square feet — a substantial penalty on a moderately-powered displacement boat, particularly in light air. For owners who sail frequently in low-wind regions, a standard slab-reefing main or external vertical-batten furler is the more capable choice.
Accommodations
Hunter's traditional strength is interior volume, and the 38 delivers it with better execution than earlier models. The main saloon offers 6-foot-6-inch headroom and settees 70 inches long with a dining table seating six. The hull and cabinetry finished in teak show improved fit and finish compared to boats built five years prior, a byproduct of computerized cutting tools and tighter quality control. The sole is Everwear laminate rather than traditional teak and holly — low maintenance, if less traditional in appearance.
The owner's aft stateroom is the 38's showpiece. A 78-inch by 60-inch berth platform with a 4-inch mattress and storage compartments on three sides rivals what one would find on powerboats considerably larger. Engine access from this space is well-resolved: the dual-purpose engine cover doubles as a fiddled vanity and, when removed, exposes both sides and the back of the Yanmar without having to store the cover on the berth. The forward cabin handles two adults comfortably, with cedar-lined hanging lockers and underbunk storage. The single head is a two-compartment arrangement with a 24-by-45-inch enclosed shower stall accessible simultaneously with the vanity-toilet area, a practical solution that keeps the layout uncluttered.
Cockpit storage is the interior's weak point. A small locker to port contains the holding tank; a second holds propane bottles; the starboard seat covers an emergency hatch — there is simply little volume available for the gear accumulation that accompanies cruising.
Known Issues and Limitations
The 38's capsize screening formula of 1.96 sits just below the 2.0 threshold that defines offshore suitability, and its comfort ratio of 26.28 places it in the coastal cruiser range rather than the bluewater category. Henderson's own literature positions this as a boat that doesn't pound and is easily driven, but the motion characteristics reflect its moderate displacement and wide beam rather than a passagemaking design.
The standard Furlex 200S furler is elevated 16 inches above deck level to clear the anchor, a compromise that diminishes effective sail area and affects upwind performance. Lifelines at 23 inches above deck meet ISO standards but would provide more security at 28 to 30 inches — a shortcoming for sailors planning offshore work. The cockpit's entertainment focus also means the stern section can become overpopulated when the skipper is simultaneously steering, trimming, and navigating, a practical issue on a wide-body boat where crew positioning matters in a seaway.
Refit Considerations
The 38's systems architecture is generally refit-friendly. The headliner panels can be removed with a tool Hunter provides to access wiring runs and deck hardware, a thoughtful provision that becomes valuable when updating electronics or chasing leaks. The electrical panel is close at hand to the nav station, and the companionway area features fiberglass bins on either side for storing halyard tails and sail controls — a functional arrangement that remains usable as running rigging is upgraded.
Owners considering a sail plan refit should evaluate replacing in-mast furling with a vertical-batten furling system, which recovers the lost 148 square feet of area that the recessed mast foil removes from the plan. The optional 40-horsepower engine offers a meaningful upgrade path for sailors in tidal or current-heavy regions; the standard 29-horsepower Yanmar is adequate in normal conditions but taxed in heavy tides. The 35-gallon fuel tank and 75-gallon water capacity leave room for tank expansion if extended passages are planned.
The Lewmar 40 self-tailing primaries and Spinlock clutches are top-drawer hardware large enough for assigned tasks and should provide long service life without replacement. The stainless steel B&R mast support structure is robust, though the bimini arch adds weight aloft and windage — removing or replacing it with a lower-profile option is a common modification for owners who sail in demanding conditions.
The Verdict
The Hunter 38 is a better boat than the marque's reputation would suggest. Henderson genuinely moved the needle on hull form, rig efficiency, and helm responsiveness, while keeping the liveaboard comfort that Hunter's buyers expected. The tradeoffs are real — a wide stern that polarizes opinions, cockpit storage that disappoints, and numbers that place the boat squarely in coastal cruiser rather than bluewater territory — but none are disqualifying for the buyer who intends to cruise coastal and island waters extensively.
Pros
- Fine entry and fractional rig produce noticeably better upwind performance than earlier Hunter designs
- Owner's aft stateroom is genuinely large and well-resolved for a 38-footer
- Sail controls led to the helm support short-handed sailing
- Engine access is among the best-engineered on any production boat in this size range
- Improved joinery fit and finish over predecessors
Cons
- Wide stern and radar arch add windage and divide opinions aesthetically
- In-mast furling option sacrifices significant sail area — avoid if performance matters
- Cockpit storage is inadequate for extended cruising
- Comfort and capsize ratios confirm coastal rather than offshore capability
- Low freeboard lifelines fall short of best practice for open-water work
