HUCKINS SPORTSMAN 38

In 1928, Frank Pembroke Huckins produced one of the first planing hulls. Today, Huckins Yachts in Jacksonville, Florida, is known for its high-quality, long-lasting and smooth-riding boats, as well as its continuous innovation. Those assets are evident in the plans for the builder’s first production boat: the Sportsman 38.

The Huckins’ Sportsman 36, originally built in 1936, inspired the look of the new 38. Designers played on the 36’s curvy, Downeast bassboat lines, open bridgedeck and cockpit design. The first Sportsman 38 is being built as a hybrid with Cummins diesel inboards, a battery bank and Elco electric motors, but the boat can be ordered with twin 350-hp Suzuki 4-stroke outboards.

“We expect this to be a 40-knot boat,” says Cindy Purcell, the third- generation owner of Huckins Yachts and granddaughter of the founder. “Our in-house designer,

Jon Hall, and I have been working on the design for several years. Building a hybrid was our primary objective, but we also knew we wanted to offer outboards because of customer feedback.”

This isn’t Huckins’ first experience with outboards. “Jon designed and we built a 50-footer in 1984 with four OMC Sea Drives. That boat had a top-end speed of 33 knots,” Purcell says.

Hull number one of the Sportsman 38 popped out of the mold around press time and is expected to launch later this year. Look for a cockpit with a Ushape lounge, a swim platform, walk-through transom and shelter under a hardtop. Below will be a galley and forward V-berth near an enclosed head/shower.

LOA : 38’3” Beam: 12’6” Draft: 2’6” Displ.: 18,000 lbs. Power: (2) Suzuki DF350 4-strokes