Chase 38

A distinctive boat on several levels, the Chase 38 is a Hunt-designed deep-V fisherman built in Costa Rica by the same company that once made Cabo Rico sailboats. She was considered a rather high-tech boat when she was introduced in 1988, and at 28,000 pounds the Chase is no lightweight. Stepping below from the elevated bridge deck, one is immediately confronted with a richly appointed interior of varnished teak woodwork and brass accessories more common to a sailboat than a serious sportfishing boat. (Too much teak in the eyes of a lot of anglers who’d rather invest in more practical fishing features.) The interior isn’t notably spacious but includes a stall shower in the head and an island berth forward. Topside, the huge bridge deck features enough seating for a small crowd—a superb entertaining platform several steps above the cockpit with a walk-thru to the foredeck. Note that the large engine room is reached from a door in the cockpit. Among several engine options, Cat 375hp diesels cruise a loaded Chase 38 in the low 20s (24–25 knots top), while 550hp 6V92 Detroits cruise in the high 20s and top out at nearly 30 knots.