Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 Review (2015 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The bathing platform is large enough to accommodate a tender. Other features pointed out include the boarding ladder, shore power providing 240-volt power straight into the boat, and a tucked away shower. Further forward, he admired the recesses for hand placement while walking and the foredeck with sunbathing cushions.

The cockpit is of a decent size with plenty of seating around the back, adjustable hi-lo tables and a sociable area. The three-across seating arrangement with access in between is clever, as it allows for easy movement without disturbing others. He appreciated the raised seating for the enhanced view it offers and the additional headroom it provides below.

At the helm, Nick was impressed with the big open roof section which can be closed up during unfavorable weather. The wet bar with a BBQ and fridge were also notable features. He admired the helm design, particularly the mirrored gauges and the Simrad screen showing the chart plotter. The joystick control for docking received Nick's approval for its simplicity and ease of use.

On the interior, features like a big saloon area, galley with two-burner hob, fridge, oven, sink and ample storage stood out. He also valued the skylight, which allows a lot of light in. The master cabin with a double bed, hull windows and a hanging locker was also a highlight.

The heads, complete with toilet, shower and sink, were also inspected. The mid-cabin is quite spacious and has a central layout and ample headroom. The reading lights in the mid-cabin were found to be very good.

He noted the fuel fillers, navigation lights, radar, TV aerial, VHF antenna and nav lights. Finally, Nick inspected the engine room with its Volvo Penta D4 300 engines, estimating a top speed of 30 knots plus and a range of about 250 miles.

Overall, Nick found the Beneteau Gran Turismo 38 to be 'a sleek machine', well-designed and equipped, appreciating its adaptability, clever seating arrangements and ample lighting. The yacht's engine room and helm design were also praised for their practicality and user-friendly features. He appreciated the hardtop feature, particularly for UK weather, as it provides the best of both worlds.