38 Convertible

Built in Taiwan, the Ronin 38 has the distinction of being one of the few Asian-built convertibles taken seriously by the hard-core sportfishing community. (Note that later-model Ronins have been built in Puerto Rico since 1990.) She rides on a conventional modified-V hull with a wide beam and balsa coring in the hullsides. Three separate molds were required—hull, superstructure, and flybridge—so there are no seams in the cockpit or screws on the bridge. A good-looking boat with a handsome profile, the Ronin 38 was available with a galley-down, single-stateroom layout or with the galley in the salon and two staterooms forward. The interior is finished in solid teak or light oak woodwork and good craftsmanship is evident throughout. A hatch in the salon sole reveals a well-organized engine room with good access to motors and generator. Outside, the large cockpit is set up for serious fishing and includes a transom door and gate, livewell, freezer, and freshwater washdown. Standard Cat 375hp diesels cruise the Ronin 38 in the low 20s and reach a top speed of 27–28 knots. Optional 485hp 6-71 Detroit diesels provide a cruising speed of 25–26 knots and a top speed of close to 30 knots.