By Kevin Falvey

Here's another reality: If your idea of boating consists of dockside cock-tailing ensconced in hotel lobby plush, the True North 38 isn't for you. And although I applaud the well-done simplicity of the True North 38's systems, I thought at least one omission took the concept too far. Nevertheless, if your idea of cruising includes versatility, ease of maintenance, and the ability to weather open stretches with confidence, the True North 38 should top your list.

HULLABALOO. The True North 38's easily driven, semi-displacement hull-form is as responsible for its accommodations as it is for its all-weather ride. Did I say all-weather?

Yes. Just take the helm. The True North 38's wake barely disturbs the water as you push the single-lever throttle forward. Accelerate to 3000 rpm and head into the chop. You're at four degrees of inclination, making 26.5 mph. That can of suds you left on the galley counter hasn't tumbled over. The True North 38 stays in the water, rather than jumping over the waves, its plumb stem cleaving the way for the rest of the hull to slip through. Head downsea. The True North 38 has a deep skeg. Also, its maximum beam is well forward rather than aft, as on many "modern" cruisers, so there's less area for a wave to grab hold of. All of this helps the boat track straight. Deeply hollowed bows and hard chines deflect spray (although, running across the wind, we took a cheap shot that doused the windshield and left us wanting a center wiper to complement the standard port and starboard ones). Those chines also provide increased initial stability. In sum, the waves would have to Lines so salty they'll make your eyes rust. Top end: 28.9 mph. be big and steep before I'd begin to feel nervous or uncomfortable on this boat.

THE PAY OUT. Without such a cushy ride, you couldn't have a helm positioned as far forward as it is aboard the True North 38. Think I'm kidding? Try sitting anywhere forward of the cabin bulkhead in a typical, full-planing express cruiser in a two-foot chop. The forward helm allows for the True North 38's serious cockpit acreage.

Start aft. That beautiful reverse transom is actually a hinged double door. Open the latch and swing the doors open-the self-bailing cockpit opens directly onto the water. From a deck chair you have an unobstructed view of a world without end. Amen.

This door also addresses a common cruising dilemma: how to stow and launch the dinghy. During our test, I loaded then launched a 10' RIB through the True North 38's transom doors. I simply idled up to the back of the boat, "beached" the RIB'S bow on the nonslip deck, and pulled it aboard.

The arrangement is slick. On the downside, if you were alone and fell overboard, getting back onboard with the doors closed might prove difficult. Perhaps recessed handholds could be incorporated, providing a way to climb aboard without detracting from the cosmetics. With the doors closed, the dinghy slides partially underneath, leaving plenty of room around and in front.

GALLEY UP! When you're ready to head to your next anchorage, the True North 38's galley-up accommodation plan brings the inside out. Step under the hardtop. Large sliders open for ventilation and ensure a good view. Passengers can sit in the cool sliding-seat convertible dinette. It seats four. But if you slide the seats inboard, it seats six. Collapse the cork-topped (read: nonslip) table and it becomes a 6'6" long double berth. A large stowage locker is abaft.

You, on the other hand, will be sitting in a high-tech helm chair by Stidd. This swiveling leather perch provides a corn manning view. Standard is a complete suite of Raymarine electronics. These, and the engine instruments, are easily read.

To starboard is the L-shaped galley, with its microwave three-burner stovetop, and double sink set in a simulated granite countertop complete with sea rails. The stove is propane, so there's an actual flame, which should make those who actually cook happy. The fridge is underneath. However I didn't like the plastic-sided stowage drawers in the galley preferring the durability of dovetail-joined wood drawers.

Belowdecks, you won't find a teak-and-tulipwood sole nor satin-varnished-cherry bulkheading as you would aboard Hinckley's Talaria 40 Jet ($743,000 with twin 420-bhp Yanmars and Hamilton water jets). Of course, you're not paying for them either. Instead, the True North 38's cabin features a cork sole and horizontal cedar planking on the bulkheads. Clean, simple, and less stressful when your kid drags a sandy bucket of shells belowdecks. Comforts include a V-berth, as opposed to a stateroom with island berth as on the full-planing Legacy 40 Express ($390,607 with a single 450-bhp Caterpillar diesel inboard). For children, a loft ($1,090) can be installed in the forepeak. There's a large head with a shower and a comparably sizable cedar-lined locker. Go belowdecks to sleep or bathe. Everything else occurs topside. Enjoying the outdoors aboard a boat? What a concept.

SCRIMPED SCANTLINGS. The True North 38 is built tough. Its laminate comprises resin-infused fiber manufactured using the SCRIMP molding method for which Pearson owns the patent. SCRIMP essentially consists of dry fiber reinforcement and coring-in this case, triaxial cloth and balsa-through which catalyzed resin is drawn by means of a vacuum. It's the same process licensed to Hinckley, though that company uses a more costly Kevlar and carbon fiber laminate. Simply put, SCRIMP results in a stronger, lighter boat because there's more fiber and less resin in the finished product than in one built by traditional lamination methods.

But the True North 38 isn't just built tough. It's quiet, too. Lift open the rudder post access port in the cockpit sole. You'll see acoustic tiles placed around the prop tunnel to minimize noise. Open another hatch to see the Aqua Drive system. This flexible shaft coupling dampens shaft vibrations. All hatches and doors are lined with acoustical gaskets, and the balsa coring quiets water noise. Because it's a single engine, you don't suffer the harmonic drone typical of twin-engine boats. Finally, the True North 38 comes with two gel cell batteries and an inverter to provide silent 120-volt alternating current. For $1,119 you can delete the inverter and upgrade to a 5.5kW generator if you absolutely must run dueling blow dryers while cruising.