Out Island 38 Express
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Survival of the Fishiest
In the early days of sport fishing, boats were not designed as much as they evolved. Wooden boats, which were individually crafted, were altered with each successive hull until the ideal proportions were derived. Through years of trial and error boats such as Hemingway’s Pilar incrementally became the sportfisherman of today.
With the prevalence of fiberglass and mass production techniques, this evolution process has slowed and in some cases regressed. For example “tumblehome” hull sides, where the cockpit is wider at the waterline than at the coveringboards, was common on wooden boats. While ascetically pleasing, this feature is actually utilitarian. With tumblehome, when the mate handles a billfish, he is reaching directly underneath his shoulders, rather than awkwardly back toward his feet. Unfortunately, tumblehome is difficult to incorporate into a fiberglass mold; therefore it has all but disappeared in sportfish design.
Battle Stations
The 38 Express is a bluewater angler’s dream, with undersole fishboxes, tackle stowage, a bait-rigging center and easy access to the spacious cockpit from the elevated bridgedeck
Outside of a few custom yards such as Rybovich, Scarborough, and Merritt, one of the few places to find an uncompromising sportfish design is in the Carolina charter fleet where many boats are still built of wood, one hull at a time. That is until today. Out Island Sport Yachts has introduced a 38 foot Express Fisherman that is true to the “Carolina Custom” design heritage while utilizing modern, low maintenance construction techniques. While her sharp entry, flared hull sides, and high bow are decidedly that of a Carolina boat, her designers have incorporated the best features from the entire sportfish family tree, such as a “Palm Beach” helm console with single lever controls for easy maneuvering on a trophy fish. Her curved transom backs well into a sea and aids in fighting fish from a chair.
What about dockside maneuverability? Over the years and the course of many sea trials, I've recorded the time it takes to twin-screw boats to spin 360 degrees. Usually, a boat this size takes between 30 and 45 seconds to turn- and that's with a liberal application of power. The 38 Express, however, spun quickly enough to make me dizzy, posting a record 16.8 seconds. Just think about coming around 180 degrees to put the stern in the slip in a 20-knot wind with an opposing 3-knot current-you'll have more control in this boat than you would in most.
Tumblehome sides, a transom door, and two large fish boxes help to handle the catch. A baitwell is built into the transom and a huge tackle center incorporates a bait prep sink, drink cooler or optional bait freezer, and drawers for organized storage. The tackle center and cockpit feature rounded corners and smooth curves, and are devoid of nooks and crannies that collect debris. The non-skid surfaces are “popcorn”, a finish similar to the textured ceilings in many homes. While this profile generally works well and is easy to clean, the non-skid pattern on the test boat could be a bit more aggressive.
The raised express helm and center command console provide the helmsman with a totally unobstructed 360-degree view of the action.
Overnight excursions to the canyons are no sweat, with a forward berth area, full galley and convertible dinette, offering sleeping stations for four crew.
The prototype we tested had a fixed engineroom ladder that obstructed access to the front bulkhead, but according to the manufacturer, future boats will be equipped with a removable ladder.
One feature typically not found on a Carolina boat is the Out Island’s deep-vee hull. Seventeen degree deadrise at the stern and thirty degrees forward of the engines cut through the seas well. Our test boat, equipped with optional 500 horsepower Yanmars, cruised comfortably at 30 knots, able to leave many larger boats in her wake even when the wind picks up.
The cabin sleeps four with a double bed forward and a convertible dinette to starboard. The galley to port features a microwave, two burner stove, and refrigerator. Aft of the galley, the spacious head incorporates a separate shower stall. Numerous lockers and drawers provide plenty of storage, including a rod locker concealed aft of the dinette. While the maple interior is beautiful, the fit and finish of the boat we tested was not in keeping with the extraordinarily well crafted exterior. This is not uncommon on prototype vessels. A visit to hull number two, which was not yet commissioned at the time of our test, revealed solid craftsmanship and superior attention to detail. An electric pedestal raises the convertible dinette table at the touch of a switch. Full extension drawer slides increase access to the contents of the drawers. The optional teak cabin sole contrasts the maple well, and other interior wood selections are available. Unfortunately, with the teak sole headroom was only about 6’1’’; although the manufacturer has redesigned the cabin sole and promises more on future boats.
Not just boats but fishermen evolve as well. For some, what was once occasional amusement became a burning desire, a quest, even a crusade. If your peccadillo is fine fishing and fine fishing boats, the Out Island Sport Yachts 38 Express may satisfy your lust. This thoroughbred was born to fish, with a Carolina Custom skin and a fisherman’s heart. One more advantage, because she is not a custom boat, her gestation period is only 10 weeks from the fiberglass mold to the ocean. Try that with a custom boat!
By Capt. Vince Daniello
Test Captain
