Rose Island Lobster 38, the “elegant” Classic Working Boat that conquered the Mediterranean (11.8 m)

When looking at the great classics of the past, the so-called
Classic Boats
, it is easy to miss the peculiarities and innovation. But try to imagine what it meant at the time of their launch–the surprise, the doubts, the hype around something completely new, different. A condition that, always, generates questions. This is the case with a great little gem, the Rose Island Lobster 38, an 11.8-meter gem launched in 1999, 25 years ago. Who would have imagined, at the turn of the century, that a lobster fishing boat in New England could become a cult of Mediterranean sailing?

Rose Island Lobster 38

Inspired by classic Lobster, American workboats, pilothouses designed for shellfishing in the harsh seas of the American Northeast, the boat is a gem, there is little to say. And its success is no small thing. Barely 12 meters long, 3.67 meters wide and capable of accommodating up to four people, its winning recipe is actually simple, if not trivial: quality, quality, quality. Quality on all fronts…craftsmanship, construction, textural, and marine. An exceptional hull that we briefly tell you about in the next few lines.

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Rose Island Lobster 38 – Exterior

The look was perhaps what had the most impact. In the period of the explosion of the “new style,” white, tall hulls, curved lines and fly, its retro look certainly had its share in striking a chord with the public. The bow is almost vertical, the bow devoid of sundeck, no fly. Yet it was a success. And it was because, qualitatively, and in terms of elegance, it had very few rivals.

Attention to detail is evident everywhere, from the wider-than-standard swim platform, to make better use of it as a beach area, to the protuberances that extend the pilot-house aft, shielding the cockpit from wind and spray. Well therefore protected, but not only. Here, in fact, two facing sofas take their place, with broadside backs, designed both to be protected even while sailing and also to offer ample storage within the seat. Just behind these, a walkway on each side leads to the bow, where the deckhouse, although not equipped with a fixed sunbed, lends itself beautifully as a relaxation area and sundeck.

Rose Island Lobster 38 – Interior

Turning to the interior spaces, the Rose Island Lobster 38 immediately welcomed with a furnished and comfortable cabin structure. Here, immediately to starboard, took place a full, shelved kitchen cabinet, offered with a fold-down top to cover it when not in use. The top, of course, strictly made of mirror-pulled wood. On the opposite walls, two chairs usable by as many as four faced a central table, an ideal meal area, while on the bow the wheelhouse occupied the starboard space, accompanied on the port side by a co-pilot’s chair.

In the middle of the boat, under the windshield, a tambour led to the sleeping area, consisting of a double forward cabin, a toilet room to starboard, and a double berth to port, furnished with bunk beds. All, strictly designed and made of wood, handcrafted and with the best products on the market.

Performance and Motorization

Turning to the performance front, thanks to its hull design-with an accentuated center keel-the Lobster 38 first and foremost offered excellent static stability, such that pitching and rolling were minimized when the boat was stationary. With no racing vocation, however, the boat was also striking in terms of reliability, soon being recognized as the boat that always brought home and was undaunted by adverse weather conditions. In terms of engines, the maximum option offered in 1999 was 2×300 hp Cat, for cruising speeds between 23 and 24 knots, even in rough seas.

Data Sheet

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