New Chris-Craft Launch 38 arrives in Australia

Famous runabout stylist Chris-Craft has been at the forefront of building smart dayboats for decades. With a 142-year history, the American company perhaps even started the craze. But it's taken till now for its awarded flagship Launch 38, which first splashed in 2015, to arrive Down Under.

Set to launch at the 50th Sydney International Boat Show, the Launch 38 (previously know as the 36) is a big, open, innovative dayboat and weekender whose clever design sits well ahead of the curve.

Batting in the 30-40 footer league, the Launch 38 was designed from the outset for rediscovering fun afloat with the family. The big 'walkaround' is equipped with special built-in storage for a variety of sports
equipment such as snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, fishing,
bicycling, wakeboarding, and tubing.

There are huge seating and sunpad areas; a pull-across bimini or hardtop top for shade; triple helm seats; and a sporty drive and ride with 50mph+ top speed from 380-430hp sterndrives, or the twin 350hp or triple 300hp outboard options.

When we spoke with Chris-Craft President Steve Heese and chairman Stephen Julius at the 2017 Chris-Craft 'Summer Collection' event in Sarasota, Florida, just three weeks out from the 50th Sydney International Boat Show, we were told the Launch 38 (with its prior 36 badge) has proven a very successful concept craft. 

With full walkaround decks that easily access the forward seating and bow sunbed areas, plus a large U-shaped transom seating zone with retractable table that converts to a second maxi sunbed in the cockpit, the Launch 38 sure is designed to please pleasure boaters.

In the cockpit, owners get to perform at the full open-air galley equipped with icemaker, refrigerator, outdoor ceramic cooktop and a grill. Al fresco cooking for day trips and weekends is where it's at.

Below decks, there are berths for five people, with an island double bed in the bow and a double amidships back aft, plus separate full-sized head and separate shower that make the most of the available cabin space.

"This is the boat I have always wanted to build for my family. People have lost sight of what it means to play on the water and this boat is really a toy boat for all," Mr Julius, Chairman of Chris-Craft Corporation, said.

The Launch 38 will star in a four boat Chris-Craft line-up including the Launch 25, 28, and 32 on the Premier Marine stand at the 50th Sydney International Boat Show opening August 3 at Darling Harbour.

The latest Chris-Craft centre console, the Catalina 30 (news article)

with pilothouse helm enclosure, has been ordered by the local dealer Premier Marine and will arrive here just after Sydney boat show. All the boats fit into the dry stack at Sydney Boathouse, Rozelle Bay, where Premier has an office.

More at Chris-Craft.