Island Trader 38 Buyer's Guide
The Island Trader 38 on the used market is the same hull sold as the Island Trader 36 or 37 across different brochures and years, a Taiwan-built ketch from United Ocean Industries produced between 1975 and 1988. Close to 200 were built, and most change hands through the United States. What follows is a buyer-focused look at layouts, equipment, and the weak points to check before committing.
Layouts on the Used Market
The 38 is a ketch with a long keel and a 12-foot beam, which gives it a roomy interior for its roughly 37-foot length. In the bow is a pointed double berth, while a shower stall and head sit just aft, and the main cabin holds a settee that converts plus a further single; the galley lies aft to port with a single berth opposite. Headroom reaches 6 feet 8 inches at the maximum. The joinery is heavy on teak doors, louvers and carved details, and ventilation comes from seven portlights and two skylights.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Well-equipped examples commonly carry solar, an inverter and lithium batteries for house power, with a chartplotter, radar and AIS supporting navigation, and an autopilot for the long keel's steady tracks. Freezers, hot water and teak decks are common comforts, and canvas in the form of a bimini and dodger is usually present. Late-1970s boats left the factory with a Volvo MD3B; later hulls used the Yanmar 3QM30H, so confirm which engine is in the boat you view.
What to Inspect
The most safety-relevant items are below the waterline and in the steering. Owners report gate valves rather than sea cocks on these boats, so confirm every through-hull closure and budget for proper seacocks. The cable steering sheaves were poor quality and the rudder stock had inadequate support, so work the wheel and inspect the lazarette for play or misalignment. Check the exhaust system design for engine-damage risk by running the engine and watching for water intrusion or overheating. Some 1970s hulls used plywood cabins that rotted, so probe upper trunk and cabin corners with a screwdriver. The exterior chainplates and teak caprail abrade; look for cracked bedding and bare, worn teak. Inspect wiring for the starter wired straight to one battery, and test the turnbuckles and icebox drainage, which owners found inadequate.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats appear in the United States. Before you commit:
- Confirm sea cocks replace original gate valves.
- Check rudder stock support and steering sheaves for wear.
- Probe cabin corners for plywood rot on 1970s hulls.
- Inspect chainplate bedding and caprail abrasion.
- Verify engine starter wiring and exhaust routing.
- Test icebox drainage and turnbuckle condition.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Island Trader 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25 | 1 | $60,000 | — |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $60,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Island Trader 38 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 2.
Country view
2 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $60,000 | 2 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 38 | 38' | $ 99,000 | 56 | 22 |
| Hans Christian 38 Mk II | 46' | $ 79,900 | 11 | 3 |
| Endurance 38 | 37' | $ 86,884 | 4 | 0 |
| Hardin 38You are here | — | $ 60,000 | 2 | 1 |