"Far Niente"
2005 Hunter 38
Specifications
Description
This one owner 2005 Hunter 38 is the 2 cabin, 1 head owner's version with a shoal draft keel, in mast furling, and a tan bimini on the stainless arch. It has the the 40 HP engine upgrade, air conditioning, an electric windlass, a Raymarine autopilot, and the Mariner Options Package, and the owner has kept up with sails, rigging, power, and electronics since. The boat is in excellent condition and lies in Annapolis, Maryland.
- Yanmar 3JH4E, 40 HP, 1,300 hours
- Fischer Panda 5 kW generator (2021), 80 hours
- Dometic air conditioning, forward 16,000 BTU unit new (2020) and aft 6,000 BTU unit
- UK Sailmakers main and genoa (2020)
- Lower standing rigging replaced (2024)
- Raymarine e125 chartplotter (2025), 700 series AIS transceiver, and 7000 autopilot; all electronics in working order
- Lifeline 4D AGM house bank (2025)
- Electric windlass with Delta anchor, 25 feet of chain and 150 feet of rode
- New electric fresh water flush toilet
- Bottom painted (2026)
Why the 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.
Cockpit and Deck
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
Accomodations and Climate Control
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
Galley
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
Rigging and Sails
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
Electronics and Navigation
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
Engine
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)
Electrical and Generator
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
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
Hull and Deck
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
Tanks and Plumbing
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
Other Included Equipment
Large inventory of spares
Owner's manuals
15" TV and Bose 3·2·1 system
Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
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