Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 vs Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 or the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988?

The Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 is rated to a maximum of 485 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 tops out at 450 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 475 gallons and 475 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 are built by Hatteras Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 vs Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988

Hatteras Yachts

Hatteras Yachts 38 1988

1988

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Hatteras Yachts

Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988

1988

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 vs Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 vs Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 485 hp, the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 has a 35-hp advantage over the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988's 450-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 475 gal and 475 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 11 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and its 485-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 with its 450-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail38.00 ft

Length - Feet38

Length overall - Meters11.58

Length overall - Inches456

Displacement28800.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal475

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1798.07

Engine makeDetroit Diesel

Engine makeDDA

Horsepower485 hp

Horsepower450 hp

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typenot available

Drive typeinboard

Operational Info

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity117

Water capacity116

Boat typePower

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal6

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters227.12

Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 vs Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 or the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988?

The Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 is the longer of the two at 38,0 feet overall. The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 comes in at 38,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 is rated to a maximum of 485 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 tops out at 450 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 is certified for 11. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 475 gallons and 475 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 and the Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 are built by Hatteras Yachts. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Hatteras Yachts 38 1988 full specs ← Hatteras Yachts Sportfish 1988 full specs