Article selected from thousand
boat trials
performed by Nautica in nearly 50 years
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could be no more available and its price, if indicated, could be outdated
as it refers to the Nautica Magazine paper issue
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Text and photographs by Antonio Bignami
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Cantieri Navali del Tirreno
CAYMAN 38 WA
The Cayman 38 WA is a well-balanced and well-built product of the
Italian shipyard industry. She is an open yacht that can be used
as a fast cruiser or as a fishing boat. She has a beautiful and
modern outside line and very comfortable interiors.
We are sure that the Cayman 38 Walk Around competes with other famous yachts
of the international arena, above all of the American market, and
still she distinguishes herself. Many characteristics make her
extremely competitive, such as her extremely modern outside lines
representing the futuristic concept of open yachts. The cockpit
has two functions: the forward area is designed for comfortable
cruising and the aft area serves as fishing platform with relative equipment.
The side decks are nice and comfortable. The forward
area is fitted with a small yet very useful settee. Interior
comfort is outstanding with two double staterooms, two bathrooms,
a small salon, the dinette and the galley. The Cayman 38 WA is
fitted with some technological solutions such as the hydraulic
opening door of the engine room, the comfortable locker and
recessed swimming ladder on the aft platform and the two storing
areas in the sides of the cockpit. In addition, she has excellent
performing capabilities that exceed the official values and
distinguished stability and maneuverability with an average low
power and low fuel consumption. The Cayman 38 above-mentioned
superb characteristics as well as her excellent quality/price
ratio make her an interesting product on the yachting market.
 TECHNICAL DATA
Designer: Engineering department of the yard
Yard: C.N.T.; Via della Repubblica; 57023 Cecina (Leghorn,
Italy); tel. +39-586-680450
Gross tonnage: calculation pending
Italian VAT: 20%
L.O.A.: 38'
Beam: 14'
Depth: 6'
Draft from lower tip of propellers: 2'
Light displacement: 8.85 tons; full boat displacement: 10.82 tons
Maximum passengers capacity: 12
Berths: 4+2 in 2 separated cabins and convertible dinette in the cockpit
Power: 2x400hp inboard Turbo Diesel Aifo 8361 SRM40
Total installed power: 800hp
Total engines and reduction gears weight: 1.5 tons
Light displacement/installed power ratio: 11.25
Type of transmission: in-line shaft
Maximum declared speed: 32.5 knots
Cruising speed: 28 knots
Declared fuel consumption at cruising speed: 31 gallons/hr
Range at cruising speed: approx. 320 miles
Fuel capacity: 370 gallons
Freshwater capacity: 106 gallons
Price with standard equipment and test boat power: Lit. 398,000,000 (excluded VAT)
Notes: the tested boat is a prototype. The definite version
includes a 2-foot larger guest stateroom aft.
CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS
Hull: deep V - Hull construction material: GRP
Deck materials and characteristics: GRP with corefoam sandwich
Bow area: bow pulpit, sunning area with cushions, hatch,
settee, mooring bitts and fairleads, 2 operating stations anchor windlass
Cockpit arrangement and fittings: convertible L-shaped
settee that can be either a double bed or a sunning area, aft
settees, 5 lockers and two storing areas in the sides, 220V
dockside connection, shower with mixer, sea chest for deck
washing, hydraulic engine room hatch, 4 fishing rod holders on the sides
Characteristics of aft platform: GRP platform with recessed
swimming ladder and multi-purpose locker
Superstructure and windows materials: stainless steel and tempered glass.
INTERIORS
Layout and characteristics: forward master stateroom with
double bed and double hanging lockers, private bathroom with
shower; guest stateroom has private access with twin beds, hanging
locker, private bathroom and shower; small salon with dinette and
galley; furnishing is in white oak, lining and upholstery are in
synthetic leather and textile on request
Helm station in cockpit: adjustable pilot's seat, wheel
steering, engine indicators and instruments, levers, compass,
echo-sounder, flap commands, VHF
Chart table: to port of the helm station dashboard or in
the cockpit dinette. Galley: to starboard of the small salon, with
granite worktop, 31.7-gallon refrigerator, 2 sinks, four-burner
range, microwave oven, storeroom, cabinets and drawers.
FITTINGS
Standard fittings: water heater, hi-fi stereo, flaps and
hydraulic engine room hatch
Optional fittings: air conditioning plant, Lit. 20,000,000;
generating set, Lit. 12,000,000.
IMPRESSIONS
SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING BOAT TESTING
Wind: none
Sea: calm
PERFORMANCE
Time needed to reach planing speed: 6 seconds
Minimum planing speed at 1,400 rpm's: 13.6 knots
Maximum speed at 2,400 rpm's with 800hp power: 33,2 knots
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
Seakeeping ability, turning and behavior on waves: the
Cayman 38 is a very stable and powerful boat. During sea trials,
the performing capabilities recorded by the Garmin GPS were
greater than those declared by the yard. The boat is very powerful
when leaving the plane and very stable even at high speeds.
Wheel and flap response: precise and efficient steering,
flaps were not used due to perfect trim of the hull
Visibility in different weather conditions: excellent
visibility both from the helm station as well as from the aft part of the cockpit
Docking maneuverability: very good.
EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY
Deck: several arrangements make the boat very comfortable:
forward settee, large sunning area, large side decks, cockpit on
two levels arranged for fishing in the aft part fitted with fishing equipment
Interiors: with workmanlike finishing and excellent layout;
privacy is guaranteed with two staterooms and two bathrooms
Passengers' comfort: excellent during long crossings and as
far as life on board is concerned
Helm station: very well located, very comfortable
Chart table: adequate size near the dinette
Galley: good location and very well fitted
Bathrooms: two, roomy and with workmanlike finish
Engine room: this is one of the best areas in the boat.
Special importance was given to engine room access since the boat
may be used with any weather conditions. Daily opening of the
engine room is possible by means of hydraulic lifting of the hatch
on the forward part of the cockpit
Electrical switchboard and plants: to port of the
companionway, of good quality.
WHAT WE LIKED MOST
performance capabilities during long crossings
and interior layout with two staterooms. |
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WHAT WE LIKED LESS
wood finishing on the outside would have
improved overall outside look of the yacht. |
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