S
ummer has finally arrived
and I’m looking forward to
relaxing time on the water
with family while soaking
in the sun caressed by a cool
breeze in a quiet bolthole somewhere.
The majority of Australians live near
the ocean, and our beach and water
culture is imbibed in us. All our capital
cities apart from Canberra are on the
water, and even that has an annexe on
Jervis Bay. It’s as though our forebears
arrived, saw the ocean and decided
never to leave, and except for outback
treks to get in touch with the “real
Australia”, we try hard to avoid the red
dust. Why bother? The real action is
where the salt meets the sand.
There’s only one thing better than
living near the sea, and that’s just
getting on the water for a fix of boating
fun. So the Chris-Craft Launch 38 on
review makes perfect sense.HIGH-END HERITAGE
Chris-Craft is one of the longest
running boat brands in the world with
a heritage dating back to 1874 when a
young Chris Smith built his first timber
punt in Michigan. Following a time
when it made mahogany speedboats
to rival anything out of Italy and then
a period in the doldrums in the ’80s,
it maintains a reputation for quality
fibreglass builds, especially in the high-
end dayboat ranks.
Its Launch 38 was released last year
as a makeover of the previous 36, and
although the company describe the
Launch models as its “open bow”
range, the 38 is much more than your
average pumped–up bowrider.CLASSIC CURVES
Finished in an optional deep sapphire
gelcoat, the hull of the 38 twinkled in
the early autumn sunshine. The colour
scheme is beautiful, summery and very
American. It looks sensational, but
maybe, as a $15,000 extra over standard
white, it should. It’s not just the
sapphire shade that appeals though.
Sensuous, classic curves, a high-riding
helm and oversized sportsboat lines
are distilled into the essence of modern
boating. Throw in two thumping
V-eights and the mix is complete.EURO FLAIR
Eleven and a half metres is a fair bit to
play with for a bowrider dayboat, and
Chris-Craft has put its own spin on the
category by combining walkaround
features and a bow sun pad straight
out of the European school. Separate
relaxing spaces include an aft cockpit
that’s convertible to a dining or
lounging precinct. And at the helm are
two companion chairs with individual
bolsters to keep the skipper company.
Below decks are accommodation and
ensuite facilities to extend the boat’s
use to cruising and overnight stays.
A teak-clad, full-width swim platform
covering the stern has its own dive
ladder stored underneath and well out
of the way. A central stairway with gate
takes you to the main deck where a hot
freshwater shower will freshen you up
after a swim.
Plushly quilted lounges sweep
around the transom, and an
accompanying table lifts on an electric
ram for dinner. Forward is a wet bar
with sink, fridge, ice maker, electric
barbecue, and two-burner cooktop. You50 trade aboat.com.au