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Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin Video Review: An Adventure Boat, Refined

By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough7 min read

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The Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin is the new version of Axopar's adventure boat, on a redesigned twin-step hull. This one has twin Mercury 350 V10 outboards. We walked her at a boat show, from the ski bar to the forward berth. New for this model are an aft window that opens, finer woodwork and more cabin volume. There is a galley aft and another below, a lounge that becomes a sunbed, a mid cabin under the cockpit and a forward berth with a head.

Small changes that add up

Like a car that gets better with every version, the 38 XC refines what made Axopar popular. The aft window now opens, so the cabin and the aft deck feel like one space. The woodwork inside is a step up, and the seating changes shape like a Swiss Army knife. Up top, a solar panel and roof racks carry paddle boards, foils or bikes.

The vibeClever, rugged and made for exploring
The power2x Mercury Verado 350 V10 outboards (as filmed)
Best forAdventure trips, couples, island hopping

What stood out on board

  • An aft window that opens
    New on an Axopar. It lets air through and keeps the aft deck in view from inside.
  • Manual side terraces
    They fold down by hand, so there is no motor to fail in salt water.
  • Roof racks and solar
    Carry paddle boards, foils or bikes on the hardtop, with a solar panel for basic power.
  • A lounge that turns into a bed
    The cabin table drops, the seat slides aft and the lounge becomes a big sunbed.
  • Two places to sleep
    A mid cabin under the cockpit and a forward berth, both with room for a 6 ft 1 in adult.
  • Easy single-handed docking
    Joystick, bow thruster and throttles sit by the side door, next to a midship cleat.
The aft sunbed, next to the twin V10s. 02:15
The cabin lounge, with the aft window behind it. 07:50
The hardtop, with a solar panel and roof racks. 06:35
The mid cabin, under the cockpit. 09:10
The forward berth, with LED lighting all round. 13:50

Spec sheet at a glance

FeatureWhat you getThe benefit
Length overall38 ft 11 in (11.86 m)Easy to handle and to berth
Beam11 ft 8 in (3.57 m)Wider still with the terraces down
Draft3 ft 8 in (1.13 m)Fine for most coves
Dry weight5.3 t (11,684 lb)Light and efficient
Fuel219 gal (830 L)Long days of exploring
Power (as filmed)2x Mercury Verado 350 V10Twin 300s also offered
HullRedesigned twin-step hullBuilt for efficiency
LayoutMid cabin, forward berth, galley, one headSleeps a couple, or four friends
HelmTwo Simrad screens, wireless charger, JL AudioEverything within reach
DockingJoystick and bow thruster by the side doorDock alone with ease
Adventure kitRoof racks, solar panel, ski barCarry the toys with you
DesignJan-Erik Viitala and the Axopar teamA proven adventure boat, refined

Step inside: interactive 3D virtual walkthrough

Drag to look around. Tap the hotspots to move through the boat.

Open full screen

Aft deck

The stern, with the ski bar and twin Mercury V10s. 01:02

A ski bar sits over the twin V10s, and an aft window that opens links the deck to the cabin. The galley hides under a lid and can be set up several ways.

  • Galley.
    A fridge, a sink and an ice cubby under the lid.
  • Shower.
    Next to the galley, for rinsing off.
  • Mounts.
    Fittings all round for a grill or other accessories.
  • Sunbed.
    With a hatch into the cabin below.

Side terraces and docking

A side terrace, folded down. 02:45

A forward-facing bench aft has storage below, and the side terraces fold down by hand to widen the deck. Manual terraces mean nothing electric to break in salt water.

  • Handrail.
    Doubles as a gutter so water runs away.
  • Docking.
    Joystick, bow thruster and throttles by the side door.
  • Midship cleat.
    Right by the helm for single-handed docking.
  • Step.
    Makes stepping off to the dock easy.

Bow

The bow table, which drops to make a sunbed. 05:30

A large sunbed sits on top of gull-wing doors into the forward berth. In front, two seats face forward around a table.

  • Cup holders.
    Within reach, with an optional wood insert.
  • Storage.
    Finished lockers under the seats.
  • Sunbed.
    The table drops and cushions fill the gap.
  • Shade.
    Cleat covers pop out to take Bimini poles.
  • Anchor.
    Locker and controls at the bow.

Cabin lounge

The cabin table, with cup holders in the wood. 08:10

Large sliding side windows make it easy to step in. The aft lounge can stay as seating, take a removable backrest or become a sunbed with the table down.

  • Shoe cubby.
    Under the floor at the entrance.
  • Fridge.
    Under the bench.
  • Trash bin.
    A large one, built in.
  • Woodwork.
    Finer than on earlier Axopars.
  • Mid cabin.
    Lift the seat and a panel to step down into it.

Helm

The helm, with two Simrad screens. 10:05

The helm seats slide and have bolsters that fold for support. The steering wheel adjusts for height and has a leather-textured rim.

  • Screens.
    Two Simrad displays.
  • Charging.
    A wireless charger that locks the phone in.
  • Controls.
    Lights, trim tabs, bow thruster and a JL Audio unit.
  • Finish.
    A stone-like texture with a slight shimmer.

Forward cabin and head

The lower galley, at the foot of the steps. 12:20

Lift the seat by the helm and the steps to the forward berth appear. At the bottom there is a second galley and the head.

Galley

  • Cooking.
    A gas cooktop and a sink.
  • Storage.
    A fridge and very deep drawers.

Head

  • Toilet.
    With a lid that turns it into a bench.
  • Shower.
    A handheld wand.
  • Privacy.
    The door and a curtain wall off the berth.

Forward berth

  • Bed.
    Converts from seating, with room for a 6 ft 1 in adult.
  • Exit.
    Cushions lift to reveal steps up through the gull-wing doors.
  • Lighting.
    LED strips and a mirror at the end.
The verdict

The 38 XC Cross Cabin keeps everything that made Axopar an adventure favourite and polishes it. The opening aft window, the manual terraces and the roof racks make the boat easy to live on, and the seating changes shape for every plan. Below there are two places to sleep, a second galley and a head with a shower wand. We did not sea trial her, so we cannot speak to the new hull yet.

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Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin9:55Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin ReviewSame brand · A 46 ft Axopar with an enclosed cabin, gullwing doors on both sides, sides that fold down at the stern, a full-size head and triple Mercury 300 outboards.Axopar 29 XC Cross Cabin7:11Axopar 29 XC Cross Cabin ReviewSame brand · The new Axopar 29 Cross Cabin, with a form-follows-function design, a bigger aft cabin with a loading hatch, a U-shaped bow sofa, a multi cabin and a pillarless panoramic windscreen.Axopar 29 CCX10:32Axopar 29 CCX ReviewSame brand · A 31 ft Axopar built for US fishing, with rod holders on the hardtop, higher padded gunwales, a hidden galley under the helm seats and a cabin with a toilet under the bow.
See all Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin for saleCurrent listings, specs and pricing on the model page

In this video

  1. 00:00 Introduction
  2. 01:00 Aft deck features
  3. 02:58 Helm and insurance
  4. 04:28 Bow area
  5. 06:23 Cabin interior
  6. 09:45 Helm station details
  7. 11:41 Forward cabin and head
  8. 14:13 Conclusion
Presented by
Heigo Paartalu
YachtWay Spotlight host
Filmed by
YachtWay Studios