Pacific Seacraft has taken a step away from its well-known predilection for double-enders by having a naval architect known for introducing cruisers to the modern double-ender design a square-transom cutter. This is the first design for Pacific Seacraft by Robert Perry, though he has designed three of the PS-built Sagas. Both the company and Perry have been careful to present a boat that’s very much in keeping with the Pacific Seacraft style, in spite of the changes. The P38 is a shippy craft with a graceful sheer that’s accentuated by a slight opposing curve in the line of the house and the traditional PS rubrail on the topsides. The overall effect lends elegance to the boat that its short ends might otherwise detract from. The short ends mean the boat has a long waterline (34 feet) that will make fast passages possible.
The interior layout looks like it’ll be comfortable and workable with a large master stateroom forward and a smaller cabin with a double berth aft. Settee berths in the saloon will no doubt get the most use when the boat’s at sea. A large head with a separate shower is to starboard of the companionway opposite the galley, with a second head and shower in the forward cabin an option. Looking at the drawings it seems that considerable attention has been paid to keeping the boat’s interior usable while it’s at sea, yet it should feel pretty palatial while in port, too.
The cockpit will feature a hard windscreen to which the dodger can be attached, and part of the transom will fold down, with the bottom of the helmsman’s seat forming a swim platform.
Moderate displacement (23,500 pounds) with a long fin and a balanced rudder on a half-skeg should make for excellent handling characteristics.
Fans of long-time Pacific Seacraft designer Bill Crealock needn’t worry that PS has abandoned him. He’s hard at work on a 60-footer for the company. Expect to see preliminary drawings here when they’re done.
