ISLAND TRADER 38
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 37.33 ft |
| LWL | 30.33 ft |
| Beam | 12 ft |
| Draft | 4.5 ft |
| Displacement | 26,400 lb |
| Ballast | 7,001.3 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.4 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 38.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 15.8 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 31.5 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 13.3 ft |
| FLforestay | 15.8 ft |
| Mainsail | 530.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 304.2 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 517.1 sq ft |
About the ISLAND TRADER 38
Built in Taiwan by United Ocean Industries and sold through Marine Trading International, NJ, (USA) Also called ISLAND TRADER 36, 37. Similar to MAGELLAN 36, CHUNG HWA 36. One sales brochure gives design credit to Hugh Angleman, best known for the SEA WITCH Schooners of the 1920's. Dimensions vary among various pieces of promotional literature. Some later models were delivered with Yanmar diesels.
Designed by Hugh Angleman and built by United Ocean Industries in Taiwan, the Island Trader 38 is a robust cruising ketch with 200 hulls produced between 1975 and 1988. Its heavy displacement and full keel design prioritize stability and comfort over speed, making it a classic example of 1970s offshore-oriented construction.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal and offshore cruisers who prioritize a comfortable motion and ample interior volume over high-performance sailing. Its masthead ketch rig and heavy displacement make it particularly well-matched for couples or families seeking a stable, easy-to-handle vessel for extended passages.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 26400.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.62, the Island Trader 38 demonstrates strong inherent stability and seaworthiness for offshore passages. Its full/long keel and high comfort ratio of 45.97 further support its reputation as a capable bluewater cruiser.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Island Packet 38 and the Tartan 38, as they share similar heavy-displacement, full-keel characteristics and ketch or sloop configurations from the same era. These boats are grouped together due to their shared focus on safe, comfortable cruising rather than racing performance.
Performance
Estimated Value
Limited DataAsking price by model year
5 listings · boat years 1979–1981 · median $20,000
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 37.33ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
4 reported issues across 3 systems for the ISLAND TRADER 38, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a ISLAND TRADER 38? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 4 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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