A top-tier boat, the Hatteras 38 Convertible combines the classic styling and quality construction long associated with the Hatteras brand. Like all Hatteras convertibles of her era, the 38 was constructed on a traditional modified-V hull with moderate beam, cored hullsides, and a shallow keel for directional stability. Below decks, the well-appointed teak interior features a sofa and hi-lo table to starboard in the salon, and a small galley to port that suffers from limited storage and counter space. A lower helm was optional in place of the built-in entertainment center. There are two staterooms and a single large head with shower forward, three steps down from the salon. The master stateroom has a tapered queen bed, storage drawers, and private access to the head, and the amidships guest stateroom has over/under berths. The 100 square-foot cockpit of the Hatteras 38 came standard with a molded tackle center, in-deck fish box, livewell, and transom door. The engine room air intakes are located under the coaming. Additional features include side-dumping exhausts, recessed trim tabs, wide side decks, and molded bow pulpit. Detroit 485hp 6-71 diesels cruise at 22–23 knots (mid 20s top).