Pardo P38 Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Pardo 38 is very clear about what it wants to be. This is a fun day out on the water kind of boat. It suits weekends too, but the real strength sits outside. Everything about the deck plan backs that up.

Right at the sharp end is the axe bow and the extending anchor system. Press the button and the arm slides forward before dropping down. You bring the anchor out slightly so it clears the bow, and the mechanism takes care of that, which is is a neat solution and it keeps the stem clean. The whole thing looks properly slick, and it follows the same visual line you see across the Pardo range, whether it is the 38, 52 or 75. You can spot one instantly.

The deck layout is pure walkaround. You do not climb onto the cabin roof or edge along narrow side decks. You simply walk around the boat. Wherever you are, you are inside the boat, not perched on top of it. That matters if you have kids, dogs, or people moving about quickly. It also just feels reassuring.

Pop up cleats sit flush into the deck, and stainless steel wear strips run along the edges so lines do not rub on the gelcoat. You see exactly why they are there the moment a rope runs across them. Stainless steel doors close off the cockpit aft, and handrails appear everywhere you expect them.

The cockpit is probably where where you'll spend most of the time. Gates at the back help keep small children or dogs safely contained. The seating system does clever things as backrests lift and drop, tables fold out for dining, and the whole area converts into a full length sunbed. At its widest point aft, the sunbed measures about 1.2m (4ft).

The table drops down on a telescopic leg, and once the cushions go in, the surface becomes flat. The backrests then flip again to create headrests. If you want to run fast, those same backrests fold forward so everyone can sit facing the direction of travel. You end up with rows of forward facing seats rather than people sat sideways or backwards.  

This is very much a picnic boat. You are not doing serious cooking, and so drawer fridges are under the counters, with larger fridges built into both sides of the cockpit. There is a sink and hob, but the focus stays firmly on keeping food and drinks cold.

Overhead sits a fixed hard top with a powered fabric awning that extends out over the cockpit. You can run it out for shade or wind it back in and open the boat right up. There are also side awnings that drop down to enclose the whole cockpit area, running back toward the aft seating. Cushions stow inside when everything is closed up.

Flat profile fenders live in dedicated recesses along the sides. They pull straight out when you need them and disappear when you do not. Steps drop down from the cockpit sides to give easy access up onto a larger yacht when the boat is used as a superyacht tender, or simply to step ashore at a dock.

The helm sits centrally with three wraparound seats. Lift bolsters let you brace yourself when standing or drop flat for seated driving. At speed, you can have three or four people at the helm and more just behind, all facing forward. The helm itself includes joystick control for the sterndrive setup, throttles, a tilting wheel, engine start buttons, windlass control, lighting switches, Garmin navigation display and Volvo Penta engine screens. There is space for another display if you want it. A Fusion audio system and plenty of grab handles round it all off. It feels like a sporty place to be.

Forward, the sunbed sits proud of the deck. It is there for sunbathing, obviously, but it also explains why the cabin below feels taller than you expect. The sunbed lifts to reveal the forward hatch, which links directly into the interior. Right at the bow, you can walk all the way forward and still feel properly inside the boat. That is very much a Pardo thing, and it runs right through the range.

Drop inside and this is where the real surprise lives. For a cockpit focused day boat, the space down here is much better than you expect. The forward berth sits under the raised foredeck. Headroom is close to standing height for many people. At around 1.85m (6.1ft) tall, the presenter is only just short of standing upright. For anyone a little shorter, it works fine. Side windows sit within the bulwarks. They open for ventilation and bring in natural light, even if the view out is limited. The forward hatch above is the same one accessed from the sunbed on deck.

Storage sits beneath the bed and along the sides. Electrical systems are simple. This boat is specced for Northern Europe, so it has heating rather than air conditioning, and everything runs from shore power or the boat’s batteries.

Owner's Cabin

The owner cabin sits forward with a double berth. Headroom remains usable thanks to the raised deck above. Storage lives beneath the mattress and around the bed. Ventilation comes from opening side windows and the overhead hatch. It suits weekends and overnight stops rather than long cruising, which is exactly the point.

Guest Accommodation

Aft of the main berth are two additional single berths. This area is optional and can be left as storage, but having the beds makes more sense. You can still throw bags on top, but you also gain two proper sleeping spaces. It works well for children, friends, or anyone who needs their own spot. An opening hatch above keeps air moving through the space.

Engine access sits beneath the cockpit floor. The boat shown carries twin Volvo Penta D6 380 diesel engines. Other options include D4 300 four cylinder engines or the larger D6 440s. Outboard configurations are also available, with twin 300s, twin 350s, or triple 300s.

With the D6 380s, expect top speeds in the region of 37 to 43 knots. Step up to the D6 440s and speeds push beyond 40 knots. With the D4 300s, expect closer to 30 knots. Comfortable cruising sits in the mid range, around 20 to 30 knots, depending on conditions.

Range is estimated at around 250 miles, which is typical for this size and style of boat. Fuel tanks include sight gauges, so you can physically see how much fuel is on board. Batteries, filters, and tanks are neatly arranged and the space is well lit. There is no generator, which makes sense given the lack of air conditioning.

The Pardo 38 rewards owners who are clear about how they plan to use it. This is a day boat first, with enough accommodation to support weekends when plans drift that way. Owners expecting long periods aboard or extended cruising tend to look elsewhere. Those who want fast, easy days on the water generally get exactly what they came for.

Engine choice on the Pardo 38 is one of the bigger decisions. Inboard diesels suit private owners planning regular coastal use and overnight stays. They also appeal to buyers who value quieter running and traditional machinery. Outboards broaden the appeal for tender use and simplify future repower options. 

Overall length sits around 11.9m (39ft) once the bowsprit and platform are included. That can nudge berthing fees into the next marina bracket compared with shorter day boats. The upside is excellent handling. Joystick control takes the pressure off close quarters manoeuvring and makes short handed use realistic even in busy Mediterranean marinas.

Finally, Pardo’s design is very recognisable, which really helps resale and brand recognition, but it also means the boat draws attention wherever it goes. Owners who enjoy that tend to love it.

Two rivals worth considering against the Pardo 38 are the Galeon 375 GTO and the Astondoa 377 Coupé.

The Pardo 38 knows exactly what it is. A fast, secure, social day boat that can handle a weekend when plans drift that way. The walkaround deck keeps everyone inside the boat. Seating adapts to how you want to use it. The interior delivers enough space to sleep properly without pretending to be a cruising yacht. As a day boat, weekend escape, or superyacht tender, it does the job very well.