Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC (2026-)

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Brief Summary

Cruisers Yachts can trace its heritage back to long before its founding in 1953 in Oconto Wisconsin, and has always been known for its sturdy, American-made styling and amenities. Now, breaking the mold with its VTR Series—for Venture, Trek, Roam—these new models, one with an open deck, the other with an enclosed cockpit, both have modern profiles and plumb bows.

They live up to everything the company’s design and engineering teams wanted when they first put ‘pencil to paper’ in imagining a pair of sisterships that would provide both performance and luxurious features. With its enclosed cockpit, the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC delivers an all-weather pocket cruising yacht with accommodations for four enabling its owners and their guests to enjoy extended time away.

Unfortunately, on test day the optimal props were not fitted to the 38. A few days later the techs scored the right props. Test numbers below were provided by Mercury Marine.

Test Results

RPM	MPH	Knots	GPH	MPG	NMPG	SM	NM	dBa
600	3.6	3.13	1.5	2.4	N/A	528	N/A	58
1000	5.8	5.04	2.9	2	N/A	440	N/A	64
2000	9.6	8.34	6.7	1.43	N/A	315.22	N/A	68
2500	10.9	9.47	8.3	1.31	N/A	288.92	N/A	71
3000	14.2	12.34	12.5	1.14	N/A	249.92	N/A	77
3500	17.6	15.29	15	1.17	N/A	258.13	N/A	79
4000	26.5	23.03	22.5	1.18	N/A	259.11	N/A	84
4500	33.4	29.5	29.5	1.13	N/A	249.08	N/A	85
5000	38.5	33.45	39.6	0.97	N/A	213.89	N/A	86
5200	39.7	34.5	40.9	0.97	N/A	213.55	N/A	86
5400	41.5	36.06	42.8	0.97	N/A	213.32	N/A	86
5600	43.4	37.71	45	0.96	N/A	212.18	N/A	86
5800	45.1	39.19	48	0.94	N/A	206.71	N/A	86
6000	46	39.97	51.2	0.9	N/A	197.66	N/A	87

View the test results in metric units

Specifications

Length Overall	41' 11" 12.8 m
Beam	11' 10" 3.6 m
Dry Weight	15,446 lbs 7,006 kg
Draft Up	23" 0.58 m
Draft Down	36" 0.92 m
Bridge Clearance	12' 2" 3.7 m
Fuel Capacity	233 gal 882 L
Water Capacity	50 gal 189.3 L

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 300-hp Mercury Verado V8
Std. Power	2 x 300-hp Mercury Verado V8
Opt. Power	2 x 400-hp Mercury Verado V10

Sibling Rivalry

Captain's Report Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC

by Capt. Ken Kreisler

Cruisers 38 VTR EC running — Ready for whatever the day out on the water presents, the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC is fully prepared to cover all the excitement.

Major Features

White hull color
Silver ash interior wood
Single 9” Simrad display
Battery charger
Cabin defroster
Electric trim tabs
Fuel overflow recovery system
Tilt steering wheel
Electrically operated port beach door
Fixed cockpit table w/leaf
Wet bar w/sink
Electric head w/holding tank

Notable Options

Twin Mercury Verado 300-hp, black or white, Twin Mercury V10 400-hp, black or white
Aft seat, Cockpit seating, Sunlounge, Sunlounge w/aft cabin; gray or taupe
Anchor washdown system
Mercury joystick piloting system
Reverso engine flush system
Simrad 15” single or dual Ultrawide displays
Bow thruster
Windlass w/galvanized anchor, line and chain
Air conditioning
Bow table w/filler cushion
Tow bar
Thule roof rack

Vessel Inspection

A great part of the appeal of the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC is her versatility as part adventure/cruising boat all wrapped up in one exciting package. Seating abounds from bow to stern in addition to a choice of four layouts building on the base boat. From left to right, the Base layout offers wide open deck spaces while the Aft Bench provides access to the swim platform for your water enthusiasts. The Sunlounge layout presents an aft-facing bench with another choice of an aft-cabin beneath the deck lounge. The Beach Door to port is standard on all layouts.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC layouts

Bow

Resourcefulness has a place aboard the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC and it begins in the bow.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC bow area — The bow area offers plenty of seating space and has storage under the cushions. Access is from both sides with a step-up to starboard and an unimpeded pathway to port. That step-up has a large storage space under the lid and enough room for spare fenders or the two shore power cords.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC anchor locker — Fully forward is the easily accessible anchor locker. Those inserts to either side are for the bow shade poles.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC curved windshield — Overlooking the bow is the forward leaning, one piece curved windshield design. Note the clear path to and from the bow to port.

Helm

Accessed from either side of the enclosed cockpit via sliding glass doors, the helm is situated to port and with the surrounding large glass windows, excellent views are afforded of the seaway all around.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC anchored — It's easy to see how the enclosed glass cockpit affords outstanding views from the interior.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC cockpit area — Accessed via the port sliding glass door, the cockpit area a pair of bolstered helm seats are forward.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC helm console — The helm console provides plenty of space for a pair of optional 15" Simrad screens as well as lots of room for all the requisite controls, switches, throttles, joystick, VHF and all other necessary equipment necessary for safe operations. The sliding door to starboard affords access to the forward berth.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC helm seats — The helm seats are easily transformed into aft-facing positions and join the standard, pedestal leafed table which has a bench seat located aft, making the space an ideal, indoor dining area.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC enclosed cockpit area — With the table fully opened, the space is enhanced by the full size windows surrounding the enclosed cockpit area.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC optional sunlounge cabin — The center cushion on the aft cockpit bench opens to gain access to the optional aft Sunlounge cabin. It can also be accessed via the aft sun pad and can also be used as a large storage space.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC optional sunlounge sun pad — As seen here, the optional aft Sunlounge sun pad, with its gas-assisted rams, easily lifts to gain entrance to the optional quarters. Note the open Beach Door and unobstructed pathway to and from the bow to port.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC large windows — The fact is that no matter where you sit on the inside, the large windows surrounding the interior allows for optimum viewing of the outside, which was a well-planned, and deliberate, design feature.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC starboard refrigerator — A handy refrigerator is located on the starboard forward end of the helm console.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC hardtop with four rod holders and a pair of speakers — Overhead, the hardtop offers four rod holders and a pair of speakers.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC Thule rack on hardtop — On top of the overhead is a Thule rack capable of holding a wide variety of sports equipment such as bikes, kayaks, and wakeboards.

Forward Quarters

The Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC can easily sleep four and with her all-weather profile, can provide extended time away from home regardless of changing weather while traveling.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC forward cabin — Easily accessed via a sliding door to starboard of the topsides helm, the forward cabin affords its guests a comfortable berth and dining space. The hi-lo table has a filler cushion to complete the sleeping space.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC large overhead windows in forward cabin — Large overhead windows allow ambient light to flood the area during daylight hours.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC refrigerator in forward cabin — A handy refrigerator provides convenient storage space for drinks and snacks.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC electrical panel — Easily accessible in a dedicated cabinet, and clearly labeled, the electrical panel is ready for action.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC machinery space — Also located here, in the aft section of the forward berth, is handy access to a machinery space.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC private wet head — The private wet head is located here as well as features an electric head, full stand-up space, a vanity and a sink.

Aft Section

Providing addition useful space was a priority abord the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC and to that end, with optional configurations available, an owner can layout the space according to individual needs.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC electric grill, sink, and storage cabinet — Grilling on the hook, or at a secluded gunkhole while on an overnight stay is made easy with this electric grill, sink, and storage cabinet.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC stainless ladder on aft end of swim platform — The stainless ladder for getting in and out of the water is on the aft end of the port swim platform. Note the extended top rails for safe water transit.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC outboards — Whether equipped with twin 300- or 400- hp Mercury Verado outboards, there is plenty or room afforded to cross over to either side. Note the robust tow bar for safe ski and tube activities.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC Reverso hook up — Also located here is the hook up for the Reverso fresh water flushing system. Note the open Beach Door forward and to port.

A Word About Performance

Cruisers 38 VTR EC running

Our test boat, with a test weight of approximately 17,463 pounds, including 90% of her 233 gallon fuel capacity, was equipped with a pair of 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards. Test day saw calm conditions with five knots of wind, an air temperature of 82°, and 62% of relative humidity. The hull runs on a Donald L. Blount & Associates design where the two-step and chine act to aerate the bottom area between the hard chine and the lifting strake. In that space, the deadrise transitions to 23° at the transom resulting in a cushioned ride and reduction in drag. In addition, a flat, horizonal pad on the keel adds to her efficiency and speed. Of course, varying sea conditions will affect how the 38 VTR EC operates across the rpm range.

When we first tested the boat, it was discovered the right props were not installed, and the engines could not reach 6000 RPM. A few days later, when Cruisers Yachts received the correct props, a pair of 16” x 16.5” Inertia Eco XP props, Mercury Marine tested the boat using BoatTEST protocols and reported the test numbers given in the report and in the video.

The engines were able to reach their 6000 rpm rated turn, and achieved a reported top speed of 46.0 mph. The most economical cruise was noted at 4000 rpm and 26.5 mph and an estimated range of 259.0 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve. With sea conditions permitting, and at 4500 rpm, she turned in a speed of 33.4 mph and an approximate range of 249.0 statute miles.

We found our 38 VTR EC test boat to be a nimble performer, quickly jumping up on plane with little or no bow rise, and answering our helm maneuvers during S- and hard over, lock to lock turns to either side. She tracked straight and true while on speed runs and with all the large windows surrounding the helm, cockpit, and aft section, we had excellent, all around views into the seaway.

Summary

Easily crossing the line between an adventure and a cruising boat, the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR EC successfully blends the very best of both. With a dramatic exterior profile, a long list of standard and optional equipment, and a variety of deck layouts designed to fulfill the needs of individual owners, she presents a platform capable of providing exciting days out on the water involved in a wide variety of water sports and activities. As well, with her accommodations for four, and air conditioning powered by a bank of lithium ion batteries, and her enclosed cockpit, the opportunity for extended times away from your home dock is always on the horizon.

Cruisers 38 VTR EC anchored, kayaks nearby

Remember, life is better on a boat!

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