The All New: Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR

If you love adventure on the water, versatility, and power with a premium finish, you’re going to want to mark your calendar. Cruisers Yachts has just unveiled the all-new 38 VTR, and Strong’s Marine will be debuting this game-changing model to the world at the Norwalk Boat Show. Below is everything you need to know—specs, standout features, what to expect at the show, and why the 38 VTR is a serious contender for anyone who wants one boat that does a lot.

What Is the Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR?

The 38 VTR is part of Cruisers’ new VTR line, introduced in 2025. It is designed to serve both as a day boat with expansive outdoor spaces and as a capable overnight boat, all built around adventure, flexibility, and performance. There are open models and enclosed models (the “EC” version) so buyers can choose how much protection from the elements they want, without sacrificing that open-boat feel when desired.

Key Specifications & Performance

Power and Engine Options

The 38 VTR offers serious power. The engine choices are:

• Twin Mercury V8 Verado 300 hp engines — a robust option that balances performance and efficiency. Cruisers Yachts

• Twin Mercury V10 Verado 400 hp engines — for maximum thrust and quicker performance. Cruisers Yachts

Pricing reflects these power options and the level of features:

• Introductory pricing starts at $399,000 with Twin Mercury V8 Verado 300 hp engines. Cruisers Yachts

• Well-equipped pricing (with many of the better options included) starts from about $549,000 with the same engine base (V8 300 hp). Cruisers Yachts

Layout, Features & Lifestyle Highlights

What makes the 38 VTR stand out isn’t just its muscle and specs—it’s how versatile it is, how purpose-driven, and how many comforts are packed in.

Layouts & Aft-Options

• Base layout: a clean, open aft with plenty of transom storage for all your gear. Great for those who want to load up the boat with toys, boards, coolers, etc. 

• Aft Bench option: adds a transom bench with a wet-bar setup (fiberglass inlay sink, optional grill), perfect for gathering, relaxing, entertaining. 

• Sunlounge with Storage: for lounging, sunning, and still keeping gear accessible. Cruisers Yachts

• Sunlounge with Aft Cabin: this adds an extra berth under the sunlounge, so overnight stays or longer trips are more comfortable. 

Adventure-Ready Features

• A Thule roof rack for paddleboards, kayaks, bikes, etc. 

• Tow bar built in, for waterskiing, tubing, etc.

• Rod holders for fishing setups. 

• Massive transom storage (dimensions are approx. 75″ long × 72″ wide × 24.5″ high), enough for inflatables, boards, water toys, dive gear, etc. 

Comfort, Navigation & Amenities

• Cabin(s): standard forward cabin with convertible dinette that becomes a berth for overnight or napping. Skylight overhead to let in light, stars, etc. 

• Head (bathroom) with shower, sink, toilet, storage. Optional refrigerator in cabin. 

• Helm station: joystick control standard, which helps with docking, maneuvering. Standard Simrad 9″ navigation display, with optional upgrade to dual 15″ ultrawide displays. Wireless phone charging. 

• Bow lounge: a lounge up front, with optional table, that converts into sunpad. Rockford Fosgate stereo included, lots of cupholders. Optional foredeck shade and a spot to secure a Yeti cooler.

Why the 38 VTR Matters

What sets the 38 VTR apart is how many boxes it checks. It’s not just a day boat or just an overnight cruiser—it’s both. The power options give serious performance, the layouts give flexibility, the features give comfort and adventure capability.

For boaters who like to:

• spend full days on the water with family or friends, maybe anchor out overnight,

• take advantage of water sports, paddleboards, diving, fishing, tubing,

• want to explore coastlines, bays, islands, even change climates (so open when warm, enclosed when needed),

The 38 VTR is tailor-made and features a nordic style design.

The combination of the ample transom storage, and flexible layouts mean you can carry gear, entertain, enjoy views, and still have privacy and amenities when desired. The power options allow for a fast, confident ride, even in choppy conditions or when loaded.

Strong’s Marine & The Norwalk Boat Show: World Debut Details

Strong’s Marine is bringing the 38 VTR to its first public debut at the Norwalk Boat Show—this is the moment the rest of the boating world gets to see it in person. 

Here are the event details:

• Dates: September 18-21, 2025. 

• Location: Norwalk Cove Marina, 48 Calf Pasture Beach Rd., Norwalk, Connecticut. 

• Show hours:
    - Thursday through Saturday: 10 AM – 7 PM 
    - Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

• Strong’s Marine Booth: Cruisers Yachts models including the 38 VTR will be displayed on Dock BW

• Strong’s Marine encourages appointments with their sales consultants, so you can get dedicated time to see the 38 VTR, get questions answered, etc.

What to Expect When You Step Aboard

When you walk onto the 38 VTR at Norwalk, here are the features to look for and moments you’ll want to experience:

1. Feel the space in the aft
   Compare the base vs. aft bench / sunlounge options. See how seating, storage, diving/swim transitions feel.

2. Test the ergonomics at the helm
   The joystick control, visibility, navigation displays, comfort of the helm seat. How easy is it to shift between open cruising and more performance-oriented handling?

3. Look below deck
   The forward cabin with the convertible dinette / berth, the head/shower, ventilation, lighting, skylight. How does it feel for overnight stays? For relaxing under shade?

4. Storage & versatility
   Transom storage size (remember: ~75″ × 72″ × 24.5″), how room there is for boards, tubes, gear. Roof rack. Rod holders. Multifunction areas (bow lounge, etc.).

5. Comfort and entertainment touches
   Stereo quality (Rockford Fosgate), cupholders, bench seating, sundries (shade for foredeck, cooler options), wet bar / grill if installed. How everything flows.

6. Performance / Ride Feel
   If sea trials or demonstration rides are offered, nothing beats getting on the water. How does acceleration feel with either engine option? Responsiveness of steering / joystick, ride comfort in chop.

Why Boaters Should See It Now

Seeing, touching, filtering through options in person gives perspective that pictures can’t. The Norwalk Boat Show provides that chance to:

• Compare the 38 VTR side by side with other boats in its class.

• See standard vs optional upgrades, seams, finishes, materials in daylight.

• Talk to experts from Strong’s Marine and the manufacturer. Learn about maintenance, service, warranty.

• Take advantage of show-only deals or pricing, if available. Strong’s Marine lists “exclusive Boat Show pricing” on many Cruisers models for people who attend. Cruisers Yachts

Potential Considerations

As with any new model, there are things to check or think through to make sure it’s the right fit:

• Weight vs usable load: With all the gear, people, fuel, water—you’ll want to know how close to max the boat will run. Dry weight is ~15,446 lbs; loaded weight will be higher. Cruisers Yachts

• Engine choice trade-offs: V10 400 hp gives more speed, but more fuel burn; V8 300 hp might be more efficient but less “punch.” Consider intended use.

• Option cost: Many of the comfort, entertainment, and convenience features are optional. Evaluate what you really need vs nice to have.

• Storage and trailering / lifting: Given draft, beam, LOA with outboards up/down, you’ll want to know what your marina, trailer, or lifting system can accommodate.

• Weather / climate adaptation: If you cruise in colder climates, how well does the enclosed version perform in cold/wind? Conversely, for warmer climates, how well does airflow and shade work in open version?

Cruisers 38 VTR

The Cruisers Yachts 38 VTR is a bold, well-rounded addition to the boating world. It blends power, layout flexibility, adventure-oriented design, and comfort in a package that works for both day-trips and overnight escapes. For those who want to do more than one thing in a boat—entertaining, watersports, cruising, exploring—the VTR seems built around that lifestyle.

Strong’s Marine’s world debut of the 38 VTR at the Norwalk Boat Show gives you the front-row seat: to see it, to touch it, to compare, and to decide if it’s your next boat.

If you’re planning to attend, I strongly recommend booking an appointment early, checking out both engine configurations, and having a checklist of what features matter most to you so you can evaluate them in person.