Location of the boat: Wanssum / Netherlands

VAT status: EU VAT paid.

Just received very extensive maintenance. New outboard engines, new air conditioning system, new engine service by Volvo Penta. Total investments made approximately € 40,000,- and zero hours since then. Can be delivered with a roadworthy trailer for an additional 20k. Has always been stored in heated winter storage. Boat ready to sail.

84 photos on our website and in high resolution on request.

We believe that the GT 38 is a remarkable boat for several reasons. Although it may look similar to many other express hardtops in its class, there are some important differences.

Air Step hull.

First, there is its Air Step hull which we believe gives it demonstrably better performance than the same hull without this design. It has been shown that the step is not just something that helps the boat at normal displacement speeds, but moves a lot of air under the hull at planing speeds.

Centerline helm.

There are several advantages to a centerline helm and the GT 38 benefits from them. First, three people can sit facing forward. Second, obviously, the captain is the same distance from each side of the boat, making it a little easier to dock on one side. Third, there is no bench from bow to stern with people forced to sit sideways while underway.

Centerline access to the mid cabin.

I can only think of a few boats that have centerline access to the mid cabin in their class. This, combined with the engines pushed all the way to the stern, means that this full-width cabin can have large twin berths running from bow to stern. If a double bed is desired, simply insert a small platform and sleep sideways.

Natural light below.

More and more express boat builders are discovering techniques to get more sunlight inside. This is an important feature and is done in the Gran Turismo 38 better than most other boats in its class.

A "step" in the right direction

The GT 38 was built with Beneteau's patented Air Step hull. I have tested a great number of boats in this class and have come to expect performance parameters to be within a certain range and I am rarely wrong. The GT 38 was one of those exceptions. My expectations went out the window as everything I anticipated about the 38's performance was wrong, and for the better!

Air is drawn through tubes to the two exit points in the keel of the boat and then washes through the back of the boat as it moves forward.

Acceleration was the first thing I noticed different. The Air Step hull really showed with the quick acceleration of the 38. I measured just 5.4 seconds to plane. This is on a boat with a test weight of over 8,000 kgs.) and a beam of just under 4 meters.

The angled slots on the bottom and the ridges on the chines trap air under the rear section of the hull to reduce friction and drag.

20 knots came and went in 7.6 seconds, and we accelerated through 30 knots in 12.3 seconds. Again, all this performance is just shy of the marks set by average sports boats. If you want to tow wakeboarders behind this boat, they will have the time of their lives!

No bumps

Cruising side to side through the wakes showed a noticeable improvement in the way the 38 penetrates the waves compared to others in its class. It tended to cut through the waves until it reached the center of the hull, and then continued at a slightly elevated angle trapping air underneath. When crossing our wake, it simply bounced gently over the waves and continued on course without that annoying roll in the pitch angle that one would normally expect in a deep-V with a sharp keel. After crossing, a big re-entry into the wake was smooth and uncharacteristic. Both on contacting the wave and coming back down, I was braced for the hull to hit, but it never happened. All the action was smooth and gentle.

Looking forward at the bottom of an Air Step hull, we can see the two large holes in the keel through which air is drawn under the boat.

Agile turning

Turns were another area where this boat handled differently, and more agile, than most conventional express cruisers. At full speed, I turned the wheel hard and we simply entered a 5-degree bank and almost pivoted without grip or slip. It felt as if the combination of the stern propulsion and the Air Step moved the stern with unusual quickness. The steering is very responsive with 2-1/2 turns from lock to lock.

Sterndrive power for performance

The second aspect of the boat that leads to optimal performance is the fact that it is not driven by conventional inboards or even pods, but by sterndrive units. Because the drives are so far back and the Volvo Penta Duoprop drives are horizontal to the water surface, the standard 300 hp D4 diesel engines can provide efficient propulsion to the dry boat of nearly 7500 kg. Note that Beneteau's goal is not to produce the fastest boat possible, which would mean putting in high-performance engines that consume a lot of fuel, but to power the boat in such a way that it can have a good cruising speed where most people operate their boats most of the time, and be fuel efficient.

With an empty weight of 7,348 kgs, full fuel and 3 people on board, we had a test weight of just over 8,181 kgs. With the Volvo Penta D4 300 hp diesel engines, we reached a top speed of 32.3 kts at 3300 rpm.

Deck layout

The bathing platform measures 3.0 m from side to side. The side decks are quite easy to access thanks to two steps from the cabin and a very conveniently located railing mounted at the rear end of the hardtop. There are no railings along the hardtop, but there is a molded slot that serves to keep you safe along with the 63.5 cm high side railings.

Bow

At the bow, there is a large sunbathing area. There are no railings on the sides, but there are cup holders. The non-slip deck covers the entire deck. At the bow, a Lewmar windlass is hidden under a hatch. There is an opening on the side of the windlass that allows you to reach and deal with any tangles that may occur in the rope. A remote control for the windlass is mounted in this opening.

Cabin

The cabin certainly does not lack seating in the 38. Spacious U-shaped seating is to port with a wooden table in the center. The table folds to provide more space and exposes a grip handle in this position. Open, it is large enough to dine on the sofa or on the starboard sunbed. The table is height adjustable, so it easily converts to a sunbathing area. The table is mounted on a hatch that leads to the engine compartment. The rear-facing sunbed is immediately to starboard and is fixed in the chaise position. Forward and to port is an entertainment center with a sink, grill, and cabin refrigerator.

The center-mounted helm is laid out with an impressive array of analog gauges and Volvo Penta EVC displays, all installed within a beautiful piano black dashboard panel. To the right are the digital engine controls and the joystick desired by all. Note the large compartments beneath the panel. The hatch to the right leads to the lower bathroom.

With a double helm seat and a third observer seat, there will be many eyes looking forward while the 38 is underway. This is a very unusual design and I like it.

The roof is quite thick and, as such, dips slightly in my line of sight to the sides. I had enough headroom standing with the sunroof in the closed position, a rare feature! The opening side windows were a great help in adding ventilation.

Helm

With a thick one-piece safety glass windshield, there is great visibility directly forward. Note the large bow and the high safety railings that extend well back. Our boat has the new Raymarine Axiom display with chart plotter, HD radar, and forward-looking sonar. A Raymarine autopilot from the latest series has also been installed.

Below deck

I noticed that Beneteau did a great job of adding natural light to the cabin with a large smoked glass panel just in front of the helm panel. To the left of the stairs is the boat's electrical panel and the stereo. I immediately noticed that there is plenty of storage space in the salon, including a shelf behind the sofa for quickly tossing items, like a good book. There is an L-shaped sofa with a height-adjustable table.

I measured 1.95 cm in height to this large elongated hatch that floods the salon with natural light. I rarely see a boat that has such a large hatch while also allowing for a sun pad at the bow. This hatch is between the windshield and the helm.

Opposite the dinette is the kitchen with the usual appliances. A gas stove is connected to a plug in the cabin and the microwave and refrigerator are hidden behind cabinets above and below. A single bowl sink is next to a countertop that accommodates a dish drainer well and drains into the sink.

The dinette, opposite the kitchen, has a small table that will convert the sofa into a berth. The cabinetry is light Alpi oak or mahogany, with beige leather-textured vinyl covers on the ceiling and a parquet floor. There is space for a TV, but it is optional.

There is a wet bathroom just behind the kitchen with natural light above, and a hatch that opens to the side adds ventilation.

The owner's cabin has the typical "island" berth centerline. The hatch above is fitted with a blind for those who like to sleep in. There is 190 cm of height here.

Right berth

At the forward end of the salon is a privacy door, not just a curtain, to the forward cabin. One thing that continually impresses me about Beneteau is the simple fact that I never have to search for a light switch. Just like in your home, all the switches are right inside the door, so you never have to fumble in a dark cabin for a way to turn on the lights, and they are all "connected" so you don't have to search for the switch in the dark either. Why this simple concept escapes so many builders is a mystery to me.

The drawers under the berth provide plenty of storage space for sheets and the like. You can never have too much storage on a boat, and Beneteau uses every nook and cranny.

The forward berth is a queen island accessible only from the front and sides. Two elongated side windows and two hatches that open add natural light and ventilation, and there is also a hatch above for light, ventilation, and exit. I noticed the usual storage compartments with one additional... a built-in drawer in the step to starboard.

This is probably the largest guest cabin you will find on a 38-foot boat. The cabin is full beam and the twin beds run from bow to stern. There is enough headroom standing in the entrance. Look at the space between the berths. For those who want to cuddle up at night, simply extend a double bed sideways. Note the headroom in the upper left corner of the photos I have taken.

Behind the salon/kitchen is another cabin behind a privacy door, this time with twin berths convertible to a queen. I noticed good headroom. As this cabin is more oriented to two people, there is more storage space in the form of shelves in the cabinets under the hatches.

Considerations

The Beneteau GT 38 is undoubtedly a sleek-looking yacht, with many innovative features that everyone likes: the extended hardtop, the large deck dinette, the centerline helm, and the large mid cabin made possible by the centerline helm. It is simply a great boat and highly recommended to see.

Engines and controls:

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The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith, but cannot guarantee or assure the accuracy of this information nor guarantee the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct their agents or inspectors to investigate the details that the buyer wishes to validate. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.