[1][2][5][6] The boat differs from the 38-2 in that it has a larger coach roof and a commensurately smaller cockpit, plus other minor design changes.
[1][2] The Hughes 38-3 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fibreglass, with wood trim.
It has a masthead sloop rig; a raked stem; a raised counter, reverse transom; a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a wheel and a fixed, swept fin keel.
[1][2] The boat was factory-equipped with a Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine for docking and manoeuvring.
The galley is located on the starboard side just forward of the companionway ladder.