Catalina 26
The Chris-Craft Launch 38 is a 38-foot cabin cruiser that was produced by Michigan-based yacht-building legend Chris-Craft between 2013 and 2019. A genuine blend of classic and contemporary, this watercraft harks back to the golden age of yachting but bundles together this sedate and demure style in a thoroughly modern package. Available with either a fully al-fresco deck or one covered with a dynamic swooping hard-top connected to a sloping single-pane windscreen, this is the ideal option for coastal cruising connected to the elements. Sophisticated living spaces with a walk-around lay-out combine with utter comfort, 21st century standards of convenience and a modern riding style that will eat up the waves with ease.
Head into the bow-lounge to discover a triple-width leather sunpad with angled backrests, teak grab-rails and sublime forward-facing views, as well as a plush love-seat built up against the bow with a set of cup-holders in the armrests. Wide side-decks lead back to a teak-lined cockpit with a pair of diamond-stitched L-shaped leather transom sofas with wrap-around backrests, while also on offer back here is a hefty wet-bar station ideal for preparing mixed drinks and grilled food. There’s an ice-chipper, chilled drinks storage, an open-air barbecue grill, a Kenyon two-zone ceramic hob and a sink that can all be hidden behind solid covers when not in use. To stern there is a central walk-through corridor between the transom sofas that leads down to a full-beam bathing platform lined in teak with a swim ladder.
Up front and hidden behind either a wrap-around windshield or a full-height windscreen there is a retro-themed helm station with sinuous lines, old-school gauges, a mahogany steering wheel and a trio of leather-clad helm seats with arm-rests and flip-up bolsters. Also available at the helm station is room for a pair of Garmin MFD screens, a VesselView display, bow thruster controls, power-assist, digital throttles and a Penta or Axis joystick for docking.
A spacious lower-deck provides sleeping quarters for up to four overnight guests, with spaces down here benefiting from brushed vinyl, grain-matched Zebra timber, plush carpeting, mirrored surrounds and mood-lighting. A vast double stateroom by the bow features a queen-bed and masses of storage, while there is another double cabin located aft. The yacht’s main head is a spa-like delight, featuring a vanity mirror and a ceramic bowl sink, while a walk-in shower unit sits to starboard.
You can pick between a range of gasoline or diesel engine options to fire this yacht to top speeds of around 35 knots. At a 22-knot cruising speed you will enjoy a range of some 160 nautical miles thanks to an efficient deep-V hull with a class-C certification and a fuel tank holding up to 237 gallons of juice, more than enough for multi-day island-hopping voyages. Top range engines include a pair of 400HP Volvo Penta D6 diesel motors or twin 430HP Mercruiser 8.2L V8 engines that both register similar performance metrics. Those who prefer to watch the water broil into a frenzy may prefer to opt for a triple-set of Mercury Verado or Yamaha outboards for a slightly different seafaring experience.
