38 Hatteras

Source: Jack Hornor, Mad Mariner Magazine

The Durable Hatteras 38 Is Ideal For Cruising And Entertaining

The headquarters of Hatteras Yachts is located in High Point, N.C., 270 miles inland, as the crow flies, from the cape of the same name that is reputed for its treacherous seas and numerous wrecked ships. I am sure it was by no means coincidental that founder Willis Slane chose the name Hatteras for his new company.

For a time, Hatteras used the slogan “Proven in the Graveyard of the Atlantic.” The company liked to point out in its advertising that every Hatteras hull design was tested in the treacherous waters of Cape Hatteras.

In the nearly 50 years since its founding, Hatteras Yachts has not only established a reputation for building yachts capable of withstanding punishing seas but, in the recreational marine business, its name has become synonymous with high-quality fiberglass motor yachts and sport fishing boats.

The Hatteras 38 double-cabin motor yacht (DCMY) was designed, as were nearly all Hatteras Yachts, by Jack Hargrave, a man with a simple, straightforward approach to yacht design. Hargrave believed that good function was good design and that every boat should look good without a lot of decoration or trim.

The first Hatteras 38 DCMY was introduced in 1968, and a re-styled version followed in 1973. Our focus will be on the re-styled version in production from 1973 through 1978.

By today’s standards, the appearance of the 38 would likely be considered a bit stubby, but in 1973 this was a very stylish yacht. In profile the design is very well balanced, with a raised deck over the aft cabin, a centered main salon and an uncluttered forward deck. The flybridge is positioned atop the main salon and puts the helmsman right in the center of the action. The optional lower helm, if it has one, is located on the starboard side of the main salon. Side decks along each side of the salon are a bit narrow, but adequate, allowing movement fore and aft without risking life and limb.

The hull is a modified-V, hard chine, planing form. The forward sections of the hull are quite V-shaped for easy entry and reduced pounding in choppy seas, giving way to less V-shape sections aft. This provides for more lift without excessive horsepower. An integral keel adds to the strength of the hull and improves tracking, particularly at slower speeds.

All Hatteras Yachts are constructed of fiberglass, or more accurately, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP). The hulls are laid up as a single piece in a female mold using various types of fiberglass cloth set in polyester resin. Longitudinal stringers are foam-core molded FRP capped with metal plates where the engines are installed. The stringers are set in place before the final layer of fiberglass is laid up, which adds to the strength and reduces the chances of secondary bonding failures at the attachments. Full and partial plywood bulkheads are bonded to the hull with fiberglass cloth and polyester resin; and the deck and hull are fastened together with adhesives and mechanical fasteners.

The engineering of and the materials used for construction in the Hatteras 38 DCMY are all first rate. Quality control, too, is quite high, which results in a very strong boat with no known problems aside from the normal wear and tear of age and service.

Although not unique to Hatteras, one somewhat unusual feature is that fuel tanks, water tanks and waste holding tanks are of FRP construction. This eliminates the potential for corrosion and leaking welded and soldered joints associated with metal tanks and results in stronger, more durable tanks than those constructed of molded plastic.

No doubt a more modern design would attempt to cram at least two queen-size berths and two heads with separate showers into a boat of this length and beam, but I think it’s very hard to find fault with the very practical accommodations offered by this layout.

The master stateroom is aft fitted with twin berths outboard on each side of the cabin. Opening ports above each berth and on the transom provide ventilation. A large dresser is positioned along the transom between the berths as well as an adequately sized hanging locker and a separate linen locker. A private head for the master stateroom is outfitted with a separate stall shower.

The main salon is amidships over the engine room and features a sofa along the starboard aft bulkhead that converts to make a fore and aft berth. Most boats were originally fitted with two small chairs and a small drop-leaf table. Large windows on both sides and forward make for a very open, airy feeling; and the sliding windows on each side provide good cross ventilation.

Down and to the starboard side is the galley area that features a 14-cubic-foot, standup refrigerator-freezer; three-burner electric range; oven and a small, single stainless steel sink.

Opposite the galley is the forward head with vanity, sink and integral shower. Forward of the head is a large hanging locker, and further forward is the V-berth forward cabin, which has plenty of storage below the berths.

Hatteras has always taken a great deal of pride in the quality of its cabinet and joiner work. The interior features a considerable amount of hardwood and veneered plywood, all very well finished for a yacht-like look.

(Note: The older 1968-72 38 DCMY has a considerably different deck layout and accommodation. The galley is on the same level as the main salon, with a V-berth, head and small stateroom forward.)

The standard engine installations on Hatteras 38 DCMYs of this vintage were either twin 283-horsepower, 6-cylinder, fresh-water cooled, General Motors diesel engines or 300-horsepower, fresh-water cooled, gasoline engines. All 38 DCMYs were equipped with auxiliary generators, either gasoline or diesel, depending on the engine installation.

A reasonable cruising speed of about 15 knots can be expected, with a top speed of 18 to 20 knots depending on wind and weather and how the boat is loaded.

There is not a great amount of flare in the bow, and the foredeck can get a little wet in short, choppy seas, but the combination of hull shape and moderate speeds virtually eliminates pounding in all but the worst conditions. In a quartering or following sea, there is little tendency to yaw. The 38 DCMY is as well mannered as any vessel of this size and class, and it’s better than most.

On the plus side, there are a number of things that come to mind. Some are obvious and have already been mentioned, such as solid construction and excellent maneuvering, particularly in quartering and following seas. Some positives that are not so obvious include conveniently placed hand rails, deck rails that are high to keep you aboard rather than trip you overboard, and electrical installations that are neatly installed and labeled so that you can determine what goes where.

No boat is without its negatives, if for no other reason than every boat is a compromise. As I mentioned earlier, some 38s were fitted with a lower helm, although visibility astern is very limited and communications with deck hands is nearly impossible from the lower helm. My clear preference would be to sacrifice the lower helm and enclose the flybridge for protection in inclement weather. This is by no means an inexpensive solution because a complete enclosure of the bridge will likely cost in excess of $5,000.

By today’s standards, the 38 is a bit slow. Another common complaint of the 38 is that there is no double berth in either stateroom. This can be remedied for a few hundred dollars by adding a filler cushion for the forward V-berth cabin, which results in a very large berth but considerably restricts the space in the cabin area.

The increased maintenance costs of older boats are always a legitimate concern. The Hatteras 38 has no particular idiosyncrasies that make it any more prone to problems than other boats. The two major maintenance costs for these older boats is refinishing when necessary and repowering or rebuilding engines. Refinishing costs vary greatly depending on the condition of the finish and the extent of the job to be done. To simply paint the hull may well cost between $4,000 and $5,000, while a complete refinish could exceed $25,000. Engine rebuilds on gasoline engines will likely cost between $3,500 and $7,000 each, depending on the needs, and diesel rebuilds will likely run from $7,000 to $14,000 each, again depending on the condition of the engine and what needs to be done.

There are usually several Hatteras 38 DCMYs on the market at any given time. Keep in mind that those older than 1973 have a different deck plan and cabin layout than what we have discussed here.

I have never known a Hatteras owner who did not take a great deal of pride in his or her yacht. The reputation for quality and durability is well deserved. The open deck spaces and good-sized main salon make the 38 DCMY ideal for cruising with four to six people and comfortably entertaining 10 or more. If the 38 fits into your budget and boating needs, it’s a tough boat to beat.