Game Fishing Machine

It's difficult to describe any boat in a single word, but, with the Blackfin 38, "fun" is pretty close.

The largest model in Blackfin's line, the 38 is the culmination of everything this company has learned about boat building, design and construction in more than two decades. The 38, first introduced in 1991, is likely to become one of those hulls like the Bertram 31 or the Boston Whaler that are legendary. The 38's modified V-bottom, with an 18-degreee deadrise aft, has the soft ride of a much larger yacht.

Step aboard the 38, and you know that a fisherman designed this yacht. The cockpit is immense and, at 122 square feet, is larger than that on a Bertram 46. It's large enough for a tango contest. Our test boat had the optional bait prep center that included an array of tackle drawers, freezer, and sink with both fresh and saltwater. Rod lockers are under the padded coaming on both sides, and an immense fishbox is hidden under three hatches aft. The husky transom door is standard, and our test boat had the optional fiberglass swim platform with boarding ladder.

An aluminum-framed sliding door leads to the salon, which is surprisingly large considering the space already dedicated to the cockpit. Our test boat had a convertible sofa and easy chair, as well as a high-low table for dining. The headroom is remarkable, and there is good visibility even while seated, although you can close off the windows with Levelor blinds in valance boxes. The interior is in a whitewashed ash, a lighter look than traditional teak which can easily make a cabin gloomy.

Our test boat had the optional windshield instead of Blackfin's usual solid-fiberglass panel across the front of the cabin. Our test boat didn't have the inside helm, which is also an option.

The galley is just a step below the salon level, separated by a granite-like breakfast counter with deep stainless-steel sink and Grohe faucet. Two Sub Zero refrigerator/freezers are hidden under the forward counter, which also has a Princess two-burner cooktop as well as a Panasonic microwave. There's plenty of counter space, and equally good storage for utensils and foodstuffs.

Several interior layouts are available, and our test boat was Plan C, which has a guest cabin to port with upper and lower berths, a big cedar-lined hanging locker, and storage under the lower berth. The Plan C arrangement also provides an offset double berth in the master stateroom forward, a step concealed as a drawer provides a boost into this roomy berth. Another large hanging locker and an array of drawers provide plenty of storage for long weekends aboard.

The head, which has doors both to the forward stateroom and to the hallway, is quite large and has a separate molded-fiberglass shower stall, a Raritan head, and considerable storage space for toiletries and towels.

Plan A replaces the port cabin with a convertible dinette, while both Plan A and B offer an island queen-sized berth in the forward stateroom. There is considerable flexibility at Blackfin, so you can mix and match from the various plans to get the exact arrangement you want.

The bridge is another fishing design, with the helm aft for keeping an eye on the cockpit action. A pair of tall Scopinich helm and companion chairs are fully adjustable, and there is a bench seat forward of the instrument console as well as a seat to starboard. The venturi screen is protected by a stainless-steel grab rail, and there is another venturi atop the instrument panel. In spite of the aft helm position, I was surprised to find that the visibility forward is very good and you can see quite a bit of the foredeck and bow when sitting or standing at the helm, unlike some aft helm convertibles that are blind forward. There's plenty of panel for electronic installations, and Hynautic steering is standard.

Power for our test boat was a pair of healthy Detroit Diesel 6V92 DDEC diesels putting out 565 horsepower each. These are the fully computerized engines that have digital instrument panels that can check just about every possible function (or malfunction) with the touch of a keypad. The shift and throttle are also computer-controlled, and there is even a "low idle" setting that lets each engine run on just three of the six cylinders, compensating automatically for fuel flow so that the big engines purr just as contentedly as on all cylinders. There are a number of engine choices, including diesels from Yanmar, Caterpillar and Detroit.

Engine access is through a hatch in the salon sole, and there's plenty of room to move around the shiny white diesels. The battery bank is outboard to port and easily checked, and there's a Northern Lights 8-kilowatt generator mounted aft. Our test boat had the optional oil change system for the engines to simplify maintenance, as well as the Cruisair air conditioning, Newmar battery charger and Halon fire system. As can be seen from the sound levels on the performance chart, the engine compartment is heavily and effectively insulated.

Construction of the Blackfin 38 is robust, with a solid fiberglass hull of vinylester resins that is quite thick below the waterline, and the superstructure is reinforced with a mixture of Divinycel foam and marine plywood. A stringer system of high density foam is completely encapsulated in fiberglass and bonded to the hull to carry the engines as well as the interior structures. The fit and finish is excellent, and there are no areas left rough. The fiberglass-work in the hull is smooth and glossy, and all the various molded sections fit together snugly with a minimum of sealant needed. By the way, there isn't a single piece of exterior wood, so you can toss away that varnish brush.

As you can guess from my earlier comments, the performance and handling of the 38 was exemplary. It's worth noting that Blackfin makes a conscious effort in the design and construction to keep the center of gravity low as well as minimize the profile of the yacht, which not only improves stability but also means that you'll be less affected by windage.

Boat Specifications

California Dealer

Stan Miller Yachts

245 Marina Dr

Long Beach, CA 90803

(562) 598-9433