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Meet The Pardo 38

The Pardo 38 provides an entry-level version of the builder’s walkaround models.
Pardo 38
The Pardo 38 can be powered with inboard or outboard propulsion. Courtesy Pardo Yachts

Forli, Italy-based Cantiere del Pardo, known since the early ’70s for its Grand Soleil range of sailing cruisers, made its first foray into the walkaround-cruiser segment with the Pardo 43 in 2017. A year later came the Pardo 50. Now, we have the smallest sibling, the Pardo 38.

Outwardly, all three models look virtually identical in profile and on deck—think daddy bear, mommy bear and baby bear in terms of scale. They all have a distinctive reverse bow, pop-out anchor cradles, high bulwarks capped with teak, ­carbon-fiber center consoles and T-tops, cockpit galleys, sun pads fore and aft, and aft-deck ­tables. The 38 just shrinks these elements into an entry-level package. And while I don’t usually like reverse-bow designs, I have to say that I like these.

Propulsion choices include twin sterndrives, or twin or triple outboards, providing top-end speeds from the mid-30s to the ­low-50-knot range. ­Standard power is twin gasoline Volvo ­Penta V6-280s/DPS.

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Pardo 38 interior
The US importer, Pardo Yachts Miami, has sold nine Pardo 43s and four Pardo 50s, and is awaiting its first Pardo 38. Courtesy Pardo Yachts

The ­Pardo 38 I got aboard had the bigger ­Volvo Penta D6-380s maxing out just shy of 40 knots in ­relatively flat seas with seven people aboard, and with fuel and water tanks a quarter and ­two-thirds full, respectively. At a 30-knot cruise, the ­diesels were ­spinning at 3,000 rpm and consuming around 26 gallons of fuel per hour, which means the boat had 10 hours, or 300 ­nautical miles, of run time. Twin ­D6-440s can push the top-end speed to the mid-40s, according to the ­builder. And for those preferring ­outboards, twin Mercury Verado 300s or 350s, or triple 300s, are available.

The Pardo 38 has a modified-V hull form with spray rails and a 20.5-degree deadrise aft. The ride is precise, a credit to designer Maurizio Zuccheri and Pardo’s in-house team.

Pardo 38 helm
Teak-capped bulwarks accent the Pardo 38’s straight-edge sheerline. Further enhancing the boat’s streamlined look is the retractable anchor, a feature found on all Pardo models. Courtesy Pardo Yachts

For weekends aboard, the decor is contemporary cool with white laminates and light-oak veneers. There is a double berth forward, and a head ­compartment with a shower is amidships. ­Owners can add two optional, ­undercockpit berths. Space above those berths is limited, but there’s almost 6 feet of headroom between them, which makes dressing easier.

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This boat may be the little sister of the line, but the Pardo 38 possesses all of the performance, style and charisma of her bigger siblings.

Take the next step: pardoyachts.com

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