The Mag Bay 38 Center Console, a distinguished fishing vessel, recently captivated enthusiasts and critics alike with its unique blend of elegant design, operational efficiency, and advanced features tailored for serious anglers. Originating from California, a region not typically recognized as a hub for boat manufacturing, this model has nonetheless achieved significant recognition, including the prestigious "Best of Show" award at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Its meticulous construction, robust performance, and thoughtful amenities underscore Mag Bay Yachts' steadfast dedication to excellence.
Crafted by the father-son team of Mike and Barrett Howarth, Mag Bay Yachts has cultivated a reputation for uncompromising quality over the past decade. The 38 Center Console stands as a testament to this commitment, earning high praise for its innovative design and superior craftsmanship. A distinctive feature is its stern, which showcases an elegant tumblehome style and a secondary rubrail that not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides practical protection to the integrated stern platform. The sweeping shearline gracefully transitions into a broad, subtly flared bow, maintaining sleek lines. An ingeniously integrated anchor roller ensures a clear deck, preventing potential snags and preserving the vessel’s refined profile.
The vessel's robust construction is further highlighted by its yacht-grade stainless-steel pipework, a signature of California manufacturing, which supports a sleek fiberglass hardtop. This hardtop ingeniously incorporates an elevated central pod, providing increased headroom at the helm and accommodating the optional radar scanner. A panoramic glass windshield offers comprehensive protection to the helm area. The performance of the Mag Bay 38 CC is particularly noteworthy, propelled by powerful triple Mercury 400 Verado V-10 outboards (with triple Merc 425s now standard). During testing, the boat exhibited exceptional responsiveness, achieving plane in a mere 3 seconds and reaching 30 mph in 7 seconds, even without the aid of trim tabs. Despite challenging choppy conditions, the vessel attained an impressive top speed of 63 mph, demonstrating its formidable capabilities on the water.
Fuel efficiency is another strong suit, with optimal consumption recorded at 4,000 rpm and 35.4 mph, burning 38.1 gallons per hour for an impressive 0.929 mpg. This efficiency translates to an extended cruising range of 497 miles, utilizing 90 percent of its substantial 595-gallon fuel capacity across three tanks. Remarkably, the 38 can maintain plane at a leisurely 13.5 mph at 2,600 rpm, offering flexibility in varying sea conditions. The structural integrity of the boat is ensured by its 100 percent vinylester-resin construction, Gurit-cored hullsides, a one-piece fiberglass stringer grid system, and a solid fiberglass bottom, all reinforced by a unique unibody transom and a triple-reinforced hull-to-deck liner joint. A premium proprietary gelcoat applied throughout the vessel ensures not only unmatched durability but also contributes to an exceptionally quiet ride, allowing occupants to enjoy the serene sounds of the ocean rather than boat noise.
The Mag Bay 38 CC excels in thoughtful details and premium amenities. The inward-opening starboard-side boarding door, featuring massive polished stainless hardware, exemplifies the yacht-quality craftsmanship. Safety and comfort are prioritized with molded-in diamond nonskid surfaces and toe-kicks at the inwales, complemented by an 11-foot beam that provides ample security for the crew. For live-bait fishing, a technique perfected in California, the boat features an exceptional 75-gallon pressurized transom livewell. This system is powered by a Hooker seachest with a variable speed pump, housed in an impeccably organized lazarette. The livewell’s light-blue gelcoat interior and large aquarium-style window allow for easy monitoring of bait. An innovative clear-acrylic top functions as a lid within a lid, featuring a latching hatch for quick access and the ability to be fully removed for larger bait loads.
Storage solutions for fishing are abundant, including two insulated in-deck fish boxes flanking the console and an oversized insulated forward fish box, all equipped with macerator pumps for efficient clean-up. The helm seating is designed for comfort, featuring three deluxe Release Marine captain's chairs with flip-down bolsters, fold-down armrests, and a footrest. Below the seating are storage cabinets and mezzanine seating. The dash accommodates a yacht-style central steering pod with an Edson wheel, offering space for a pair of 22-inch Garmin MFDs, which control onboard systems via EmpireBus digital switching, as part of an optional electronics package. Additional comfort options include an inviting lounge on the forward console with insulated storage, an optional flip-up transom bench seat, or wraparound aft seating. Optional forward seating with Release Marine backrests further enhances passenger comfort.
Further enhancing comfort and functionality is a well-appointed cabin, accessible from the starboard side of the console. It boasts 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom, a spacious 6-foot-long by 4-foot-wide berth, and a head compartment featuring a Dometic MasterFlush electric toilet, a vessel sink with a freshwater faucet, an overhead hatch, and a window. The vessel’s power systems are equally impressive, with isolated starting and house battery systems. For high-demand accessories such as optional cabin air conditioning, a Seakeeper 3, or a chiller plate under the mezzanine seating, the 38 features a Victron lithium battery bank, Victron Smart Controllers, and a Victron 3,500-watt inverter/charger. The Mag Bay 38 CC's comprehensive array of features, though too numerous to detail fully, undeniably validates its widespread acclaim and popularity among discerning boaters.