There's a certain sameness about mid-sized US sports express cruisers that, if not quite Groundhog Day, borders on a mix of Star Wars - Attack of the Clones and Multiplicity, with an added measure of The Truman Show in their glossy, Utopia-like perfection.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Individuality is rare, partly because what works, works well, and the market knows what it wants.
The 38 GLS from Cruisers Yachts, however, is not in the same boat.
It's not a knife . . . it's a Swiss Army knife.
What sets it apart from its peers is the starboard-side 'beach door' that converts a section of the rear topside and coaming into useable deck space, simply by folding down.
The moulding rests flush with the cockpit floor and rear boarding board to create a large, one-level platform.
Here, you can sunbake, socialise, contemplate life or do yoga.
It's prime real estate that otherwise goes to waste and, what's more, a section of the swim platform lowers hydraulically, so you can get in and out of the water with ease.
The cockpit layout shows more innovation in the seating arrangements and amenities.
I really like the fact there's a raised wetbar amidships with a sink, barbecue, fridge, icemaker and aft-facing bar stools.
There are also a two-person helm seat and twin L-shaped lounges, with the aft-facing bench backrest hinging to face the beach door.
Beam, by the way, is relatively wide at 3.8 metres, or 12 feet in the old money.
Up front, accessed by a port-side walkway, you have a huge U-shaped lounging and sunpad space where folk can enjoy time aboard in the tradition of the great American bowrider.
Down below is a cosier cabin area with accommodation for four, divided between a transverse cabin under the cockpit - optimistically called the 'aft stateroom' - and a dinette that converts into a vee berth.
The bathroom with shower, head, vanity and dressing mirror is generously spacious, plus there's a microwave, bar fridge and TV stand.
So, drop the pick off Pulbah or in Fame Cove at Port Stephens, and you'd have everything needed for dayboating, overnighting and entertaining.
It's a fair lump of fibreglass, at 11.43 metres and 11 tonnes, yet a pair of big-block V8 MerCruiser Mag motors make light work of planing.
Bravo Three XR duo-prop sterndrives deliver the 860 horses with enormous punch.
The hull holds a comfortable cruise on the plane at 23 knots, burning a tad over 100 litres per hour.
You see 28 knots at 3200rpm and a total fuel burn of 150 lt/h.
But it still has more to give, accelerating all the way to 40 knots at 5000rpm.
I'd hate to imagine what the optional 520hp Mercury Racing 520 sterndrive engines could achieve.
An alternative version of the 38 GLS shows it sporting three 300hp outboards on the transom in lieu of the big swim platform.
This will motivate you to a reported 46 knots, and owners can also opt for triple 400s for more thrills and bills.
Mercury's Joystick Piloting makes parking a breeze, even with that much grunt at your disposal.
The twin V8 petrol engines have that Yankee-doodle muscle car brashness in their throaty expression, making the boat feel lighter and more nimble than imaginable, while the solidly built hull, with infused lamination for maximum strength-to-weight ratio, just swallows up the bumps.
The skipper and mate get twin bolster seats from which to command the 38 GLS.
Twin 12in Simrad multifunction displays reside neatly on a blackened dashboard, and the sports steering wheel and twin throttles fall easily to hand.
Cruisers Yachts has a history dating back to 1904, so it's no newcomer or copycat in this crowded marketplace.
Pricing starts at $850,000.
For more details visit aussieboatsales.com.au
LOVE ME TENDER
With sports day boats being all the rage in Australia and abroad, RYCK is an interesting new offering from Germany's Hanse AG group that can serve as a family entertainer, fast tender, or premium fishing platform.
The debut model is the RYCK 280, developed in cooperation with UK naval architect Bill Dixon, who's better known for yacht design with Moody but also Sealine in the power world. His two-stepped hull and reverse bow design is said to provide an exceptionally smooth and dry ride in all conditions.
On-water performance matches the sporty aesthetics, with a top speed of more than 40 knots when coupled with the most powerful of three Mercury Verado engine packages available, ranging from 250hp to 350hp.
Layout-wise, it blends the versatility of a RIB with the convenience of walk-around centre-console runabouts and high-quality appointments found on upmarket tenders. There's a cockpit lounge, sun pads, wet bar, barbecue and dining table, while the cabin features a separate bathroom to allow a comfortable overnight stay.
The 280's overall length of 9.5m and 2.8m beam means it can be easily moored off a private jetty, stored on a hard stand, or occasionally towed if required.
Windcraft Yachts is the Australian importer of RYCK and secured one of the first 280 hulls to leave the factory in Greifswald, Germany.
Pricing starts from $250,000 including T-top and engine. See teamwindcraft.com
IN THE NEWS:
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News