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Text and photographs by Corradino Corbò
Nautica Magazine
n. 522, October 2005
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NAUTICA SALPA - LAVER 38.5
That Salpa boats have two souls - a sporty one capable of
satisfying the owner who loves speeding even in waves and a
familiar one, for those who prefer a comfortable medium or long-
range holiday - is certain.
As a matter of fact even the Laver
38.5 offers this double identity: a first class technological
structure and a deluxe cruiser outfit. Obviously, behind this
precious result there is an imposing preparation, based on an
extremely complex design - headed by the overzealous and
authoritative Mr. Pane - aiming at obtaining one of the highest
levels of engineering work in the nautical field. Suffice it to
say that this cabin cruiser is born from a number of molds that is
approximately ten times the number used by any other traditional
yard, to produce a boat of equal size.
On the practical level, the result of this production process is
clear even to the eyes of a layman. It is sufficient to open any
locker to see how the inner surface of the hinged hatch is smooth
and glossy just like the topsides. A useful advantage for the less
expert boatman is that the Laver 38.5 pardons steering errors
offering an excellent trim. Nevertheless, if the Owner wants to
race, this brilliant hull does not spare strong emotions.
Maneuverability is surprising at any speed and the power generated
by the engines and the stern drive legs is really exciting, above
all if one considers the hull size. Yet, as far as the cruising
aspect of this yacht is concerned, the interior layout offers a
very good solution with 6 berths on the same level, equally
divided into three cabins.
 TECHNICAL DATA
Designer: yard's Technical Studio
Yard: Nautica Salpa; via Silvio Pellico 27; 80040 Cercola (Naples, Italy); tel. +39 081 7332386; fax +39 081 7333065; website www.salpa.com; e-mail: info@salpa.com
EC Category type: A "ocean"
L.O.A: 12.15 m (39'10")
Hull length: 12.01 (39'5")
Beam: 3.86 (12'8")
Draft from lower tip of propellers: 0.90 m (2'11")
Light displacement: 8,300 kg (18282 lb)
Full load displacement: 9,800 kg (21,586 lb)
Maximum passengers capacity: 10 persons
Berths: 6+2
Power: 2x320 hp MCMD 4.2 L Turbodiesel Mercruiser
Total installed power: 640 hp
Light displacement/installed power ratio: 12.97 kg/hp (approx. 28 lb/hp)
Type of transmission: stern drive leg
Maximum declared speed: 37 knots
Cruising speed: 28 knots
Estimated fuel consumption at cruising speed: 68 l/hr (18 US gal./hr)
Range at cruising speed: 288 miles
Fuel capacity: 2 x 350 l (2x 92 US gal.)
Freshwater capacity: 270 l (71 US gal.
Road transportation: with truck
Price with standard equipment and test boat power: Euro 220,000.00 ex yard, VAT excluded.
Consumption indicated in the graph is supplied by builder,
nevertheless effective consumption at sea may differ from
published data as a function of the loads and their distribution
on board, of the navigating conditions, of the engines state and
adjustment as well as of the characteristics of the propellers used.
CONSTRUCTION CHARACTERISTICS
Hull: deep V-hull, with longitudinal steps
Hull and deck materials: laminated fiberglass for the hull,
sandwich fiberglass for the topsides; vinyl ester resin (anti-
osmosis) for the first two outer layers of the hull; longitudinal
stiffening frames and transverses; corefoam sandwich bulkheads
(paratie in sandwich di Termanto). Full accessibility to the inner
surface of the hull. Careful distribution and concentration of
weights (even of the electrical cables which weigh almost 100 kg - 220 lb).
Interiors are in cherrywood
Deck: teak courses; fiberglass roll-bar
Bow area: stainless steel stem fitting; stainless steel 10
kg (22 lb); 50m (164ft)-chain; 1,000 Watt Quick anchor windlass;
stainless steel pulpit and handrails. Sunning cushioning on the foredeck
Cockpit: teak flooring; engine room access from transom hinged port
Aft platform: fixed aft platform covered with teak.
INTERIORS
Layout and characteristics: access from the cockpit with C-
shaped dinette to starboard (convertible into double bed by
lowering the optional adjustable table) and galley to port.
Forward, a sliding door separates this area from the master
stateroom with double bed fitted across, settee and hanging
locker. Aft, there are two guest cabins with twin berths.
Amidships, to port, with access from the dinette, there is the
bathroom with electrical toilet and round shower stall.
FITTINGS
Standard fittings: engine instruments, galley and outside
refrigerator, extractor, 85 liter (22 US gal.) galley
refrigerator, 18 liter (4 ó US gal.) water heater
Optional recommended fittings: crew cabin in the central
technical area with direct access from the cockpit; adjustable
table in the dinette; awning; bow thruster; hydraulic gangway
concealed when not in use; air conditioner (for hot/cold air); 4
kW generating set; Raymarine electronic instruments.
IMPRESSIONS
SEA AND WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING BOAT TESTING
Wind: force 4
Sea: force 2.
PERFORMANCE (with 3 persons onboard and 50% fuel and freshwater)
Cruising speed: 28 knots
Maximum speed: 37.8 knots.
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
Seakeeping ability, turning and behavior on waves: excellent
Wheel and flap response: excellent
Helm station: to starboard, comfortable and ergonomic.
Traditional and reliable Morse-type throttles. Visibility in
different weather conditions: forward-excellent, on the side-excellent; aft-very good
Docking maneuverability: excellent.
EVALUATION OF COMFORT AND FUNCTIONALITY
Deck: perfectly protected by stainless steel pulpit and
handrail that lines the fore-and-aft decks; forward on the trunk
there is a comfortable sunning area with cushions
Cockpit: this is the strong point of the outside layout and
is better than most other yachts of the same type. It is well
fitted, ergonomic and very spacious
Interiors: the dinette design is very nice; in particular,
when the sliding door to the master cabin is open, it offers an
open plan area; the two guest cabins with twin berths fitted under
the helm station flooring is an excellent solution. Top-quality finishing
Passengers' comfort: very high, thanks to the well defined
separation between cabins
Galley: L-shaped galley to port, good natural lighting and
airing; with abundant storing space
Bathroom: amidships to port, small but perfectly fitted
Engine room: excellent accessibility from the transom (with
hydraulic command), under the tender garage; the technical area
amidships (a typical solution of all Salpa yachts), accessible
from the cockpit, is ideal for ordinary maintenance and most
checking operations (this area may be fitted as a crew cabin on request,)
Electrical switchboard and plants: top quality.
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