Aiata Wayfinder 38 Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Wayfinder 38 offers a generous and cleverly designed exterior, starting aft with a configurable cockpit system. The aft bench is set on powered tracks that allow the entire unit to slide forward, clearing space when the engines are tilted up. When powered back, it maximises the usable cockpit area.

Seating versatility is a strong point. The central module includes a drop-down footrest and forward/aft convertible backrest, so you can face forward or back at will. Beneath this is more than just deep storage for safety kit or fenders and there’s a secondary fridge in easy reach of the social zone.

A comfort wet bar is tucked under the aft-facing bench seat, complete with a grill, fridge and sink. The cushion top drops down to create a more supportive seatback, and the adjacent teak table folds out for either coffee or dining use. Materials feel right too - thoughtful wood finishes and tidy detailing throughout.

Side access is excellent, thanks to twin doors to port and starboard, paired with a lightweight carbon fibre swim ladder for easy water access - great for divers or water toys. At anchor, a powered sunshade extends out from the aft edge of the hardtop, giving full cockpit cover when needed.

Moving forward, there’s ample deck space and secure passage around the coachroof. Raised handrails and pop-up cleats add practical detail. The foredeck itself is customisable: standard fit is a settee across the bow, but this boat adds U-shaped seating with a height-adjustable table that can convert to a large sunbed. Overhead, a removable bimini adds shade.

At the very bow, there’s an integrated anchor handling setup. Impressively, the boat is offered in a ‘turnkey’ format - anchor, stainless steel Ultra anchor, chain, fenders and warps are all standard. The chain locker is neatly arranged, leaving stowage for additional gear up front.

Headroom is generous at the aft end of the saloon area, tapering forward beneath the slope of the coachroof. There’s a natural flow to the layout, helped by hull windows and a central skylight. A small settee lines the port side, with extra length tucked under the cockpit sole to create a child-sized berth. Opposite, there’s additional storage cabinetry. The atmosphere below is light and practical, helped by clean finishes and subtle lighting. USB sockets sit at either end of the saloon for charging devices, and the whole space feels pleasantly open yet cocooned. The main berth lies forward, where the structure drops down to form a generous sleeping space.

A clever detail worth calling out is the modularity of the coachroof moulding above. Owners can opt to extend this structure forward, increasing standing headroom and volume down below. Better still, if you don’t spec it from the outset, you can retrofit the alternate moulding later which is a rare bit of forethought.

This Aiaita Wayfinder 38 has twin Mercury 350hp V10 outboards. Other engine brands can be fitted if preferred – Yamaha, Honda, you name it – but these Mercs are a good fit for the package. Flat out, you’re looking at 50 knots. Cruising in the 30-knot range, you’ll get a 200 nautical miles out of a tank.

At the helm, this boat is fitted with twin 12-inch Garmin displays, but there’s space to upgrade to 16-inch if desired. Engine data is split across the two main screens with Mercury’s dedicated instrumentation centre-mounted. Trim is managed by Zipwake tabs, and manoeuvring is aided by a bow thruster and Mercury joystick control system.

The throttle bank is predictably chunky and responsive, and the helm itself sits slightly raised, giving a nice sense of command. Forward visibility is excellent through a wrap-around screen, complete with full-sized wipers. The electronics suite is rounded out with a JL Audio stereo (Fusion is an option), VHF radio, and central switch panel for lights, pumps, and nav gear.

Beneath the helm, more storage sits under the floor, and an additional fridge tucks neatly under the seating module opposite. The electrical panel is tucked into a locker just inside the lower companionway, with separate batteries for each engine, bow thruster, and services. A parallel switch allows emergency jump-starting if needed.  

Outboards tend to keep maintenance simple, and the fact that you can spec different engine brands allows owners to align with their preferred dealer or service network.

The standard turnkey spec is a significant plus. With fenders, warps, chain and stainless Ultra anchor all included, it really does arrive ready to go. The solar panels on the fixed hardtop offer passive charging for the service systems, and there’s good access to battery management, further reducing hassle.

Modularity also supports long-term ownership. The ability to swap coachroof mouldings to reconfigure headroom and internal space is rare at this size and shows long-term thinking in the design. A good guide for total annual running costs on a premium 11–12m outboard-powered wheelhouse boat like the Wayfinder is between 6%-10% of the purchase price. As ever, variables like marina choice and cruising style play a big role, but budgeting around 9% of the purchase price should keep most owners comfortably ahead of any surprises.

Top rivals worth considering are the Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin and the Nimbus Commuter 11.

The Aiata Wayfinder 38 isn’t the biggest boat around, but it’s certainly one of the most sharply thought out. It combines serious performance with surprising accommodation and packs in just enough charm to make it more than a muscle boat. Clever touches like the retractable cockpit bench, solar-topped hardtop, and forward deck modularity make it adaptable, while the full-fat V10 Mercs deliver proper pace.