A sub-12m catamaran with unusually broad deck space
Jeanneau’s latest TH38 feature moves beyond launch photography by putting the power catamaran through both a dockside walkthrough and a full sea trial. At 11.82 metres overall, it remains just inside Leisure Boat Guide’s under-12m boundary while offering the beam and separation between living areas that attract buyers to twin-hull boats.
The builder lists a beam of 4.45 metres and more than 15 square metres of deck area, creating a footprint that feels very different from a monohull of comparable length. Adjustable seating is intended to let owners switch between dining, lounging and open circulation without redesigning the basic cockpit.
Two hulls change the accommodation equation
The TH38 uses the volume in its two hulls to provide two cabins while keeping the central deck open for shared use. Jeanneau also emphasises large glazed areas and natural light, which help prevent the enclosed spaces from feeling disconnected from the day-boat character above.
At the helm, joystick control and twin displays are intended to reduce the intimidation that a broad-beamed catamaran can create in close quarters. That matters for owners moving up from smaller dayboats, because usable interior volume is only valuable if docking and low-speed manoeuvring remain approachable.
The sea trial adds useful evidence
The new underway footage focuses on acceleration, stability and the way the boat carries speed through changing conditions. A catamaran’s appeal often rests on ride comfort and lateral stability, so seeing the platform operate outside the marina gives buyers more context than specifications alone.
The TH38 occupies an unusual part of the market: it offers cruising accommodation and substantial entertaining space without crossing the 12m line. For LBG readers comparing premium family boats, it is therefore a useful example of how builders are using multihull geometry to extract more usable space from a limited overall length.