Spotlight: Pardo 38

The Pardo brand was to have launched at the 2020 Sydney International Boat Show via exclusive distributors eyachts, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other ideas.

Instead, the Italian luxury sports cruiser has made a much gentler splash on the Australian market, with boats now available to buy.

One of the big arrivals this summer is the Pardo 38, the entry-level boat in the three-model walkaround dayboat range from shipwrights Cantiere del Pardo that includes the Pardo 43 and 50.

This boat is special, having won international acclaim as 2020’s European powerboat of the year in the category for boats up to 14 metres.

The boat was singled out in the awards for its quality craftsmanship and driving dynamics that helped judges to label it as “the perfect large format day cruiser”.

The Pardo 33’s centre console design features a wide walk-around deck, with the console shaded using a carbon fibre T-top to reduce weight and the boat’s centre of gravity. An optional electrically operated bimini can extend over the rear entertainment space to also shade it.

On-board deck level comforts include a large lounge in the bow, and twin facing settees down the back that includes a foldable table that drops down to change the space into a sunbed. A wet bar backs onto the console’s seats.

Below decks is a comfortable overnighting space for up to four adults. Forward is a large master suite with a double bed built into the bow and a private wet head, while aft is an optional cabin with two single beds.

The skiff-style hull under the Pardo 38 features chines running forward to the wave breaker-style vertical bow that helps to deflect spray and make the ride as dry as possible, even in rougher conditions.

The Pardo 38’s clean exterior lines are enhanced by a lack of visible handrails – the deep internal freeboard means they are mounted inboard – and the lack of an anchor well forward. Instead, the anchor is built into a hidden recess in the forepeak.

The Pardo 38’s big selling point, of course, is the choice of engines available to buyers. These range from a single inboard petrol unit right up to 900hp of Mercury Verado outboard performance that can push the Pardo 38 up to a 50 knot-plus top speed.