Uniflite 38 Convertible
One-click Contact
XPresented For Sale By:
| Make | Uniflite |
|---|---|
| Model | 38 Convertible |
| Year | 1984 |
| Condition | Used |
| Price | US$57,900 |
| Type | Power |
| Class | Saltwater Fishing |
| Length | 11.58 m |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Hull Material | Fibreglass |
| Location | Downtown Long Beach, California, United States |
| LOA | 11.86 m |
|---|---|
| Length at Water Line | 10.06 m |
| Beam | 3.96 m |
| Min. Draft | 1.12 m |
| Max Bridge Clearance | 3.86 m |
| Gross Tonnage | 24000 t |
| Engine Type | Inboard |
|---|---|
| Engine Make | Detroit Diesel |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Engine Year | 1984 |
| Drive Type | Direct Drive |
| Engine Location | Port |
| Propeller Material | Bronze |
| Engine usage (hours) | 230 |
| Engine Type | Inboard |
|---|---|
| Engine Make | Detroit Diesel |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Engine Year | 1984 |
| Drive Type | Direct Drive |
| Engine Location | Starboard |
| Propeller Type | 3 Blade |
| Propeller Material | Bronze |
| Engine usage (hours) | 230 |
| Additional Equipment |
|
|---|---|
| Covers |
|
| Electrical Equipment |
|
| Electronics |
|
| Inside Equipment |
|
| Outside Equipment/Extras |
|
| Guest Cabins | 2 |
|---|---|
| Guest Heads | 1 |
| Seating Capacity | 14 |
| Fuel Tanks | 400 gal |
| Fresh Water Tanks | 100 gal |
| Hull Shape | Deep Vee |
| Windlass | Electric Windlass |
Description
This 38’ Convertible is built on the legendary Uniflite deep-V hull, a design long respected for its strength, sea-keeping ability, and offshore reliability. Produced during Uniflite’s later post-blister era, this hull benefits from improved lamination practices that addressed earlier blistering concerns, making it a far more desirable example for today’s buyers.
Uniflite earned its reputation by building boats heavier and stronger than most of its competitors. These hulls were engineered to handle offshore conditions with confidence, offering:
A solid, predictable ride in rough water
Excellent tracking and directional stability
Long-term structural durability
It’s no accident that this same hull was later reintroduced by Chris Craft as the 382 Commander—a testament to the soundness and longevity of the original design.
Interior & Accommodations
Most 38 Convertibles were delivered with the preferred two-stateroom, galley-up layout, which this boat reflects. The salon is notably spacious for a vessel of this size, enhanced by wraparound windows that bring in abundant natural light.
Key interior features include:
Two large private staterooms
Galley-up arrangement for easy entertaining
Double-entry head with separate stall shower
Generous storage throughout
A portside lower helm station was a popular option and is commonly found on this model, allowing comfortable operation in adverse weather or during night passages.
Cockpit, Deck & Flybridge
As a sportfisherman, the 38 Convertible offers a large, open cockpit with space for a fighting chair, molded-in fish box, and excellent working room. Wide side decks provide safe, secure access to the foredeck.
The flybridge is roomy and well laid out, featuring bench seating forward of the helm with excellent sightlines for both cruising and fishing.
Additional features include:
Folding Bow pulpit
Swim platform
Wide, secure walkaround decks
Well-arranged and accessible engine room
Dinghy Included
Performance & Capability
Diesel-powered examples typically cruise at approximately 19 knots and reach around 22 knots at wide-open throttle. With roughly 400 gallons of fuel capacity, the 38 offers practical range for coastal cruising and offshore fishing applications.
Bottom Line:
This post-blister Uniflite 38 Convertible represents a rare combination of true offshore construction, comfortable cruising accommodations, and proven performance. For buyers who value hull integrity, ride quality, and long-term ownership confidence, this classic convertible remains one of the most respected boats in her class.
Survey / Buyer Education Note
This vessel is a post-blister Uniflite hull, meaning it was built after Uniflite addressed the blistering issues seen on some earlier production boats. Later hulls benefited from improved lamination practices, which is why knowledgeable buyers and surveyors generally view post-blister Uniflites more favorably. As with any vessel of this age, a full marine survey is still recommended, but this is the preferred era of this hull from a construction standpoint.