First Look: Southport 38FE Walkthrough

Southport 38FE

At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, some boats grab attention with flash. Others stop you in your tracks because you can instantly see yourself aboard them, rod in hand. The Southport 38FE falls squarely into the latter category. It’s a big center console that blends serious offshore intent with a level of finish and day-to-day usability that Northeast anglers increasingly expect. A boat that my coworker Cheech looked at with visions of tuna dancing in his head and said, “That looks like an awesome boat to fish from.”

Built around Southport’s proven deep-V approach (20° of deadrise) and a big-boat footprint, the 38FE is designed for long runs and confidence in mixed conditions. From the dock, it carries a purposeful stance—high bow, clean lines, and a layout that clearly prioritizes fishability without giving up comfort. It looks just as at home making a canyon run as it does working mid-shore tuna grounds or cruising the bay with family.

The Southport 38FE is a flagship-size center console built to fish hard offshore while keeping a premium finish and real comfort for long days on the water.

What stands out immediately is the balance. The cockpit is wide, uncluttered, and laid out so a full crew can work lines without stepping on each other, which is exactly what you want when the bite is on and the weather window is short. At the same time, the seating, finish, and overall ergonomics feel dialed for the ride home—important for Northeast crews used to early departures, long runs, and an afternoon sea breeze that turns a flat morning into a choppy return.

Up front, the bow area strikes a balance that many boats struggle to find: enough seating and comfort for cruising and sandbar stops, but still a usable fishing space when it’s time to drift, jig, or set up a live-bait program. Below the console, the 38FE adds legitimate utility with space to get out of the weather, stash gear, and reset between drifts.

We filmed a walkthrough of the Southport 38FE at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show—watch the video for a closer look at the layout, helm, and key features.

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38FE — Key Specs & Dimensions

Length Overall (LOA) 38′ 8″
Beam 13′
Deadrise 20°
Draft 1′ 9″
Dry Weight (w/o engines) 13,000 lb
Max HP 1,350
Fuel Capacity 400 gal
Fresh Water Capacity 45 gal
Livewell 35+ gal
Holding Tank 35+ gal

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Comfort & Cabin Highlights

• Air-conditioned cabin designed to get you out of the sun and weather on long days offshore.
• Premium interior finish with real teak and soft headliner accents.
• Cabin amenities designed for true day-boat comfort: television, reading lights, and a spacious galley.
• Private head with a stand-up shower—rare utility in a center console built to fish.

A flagship helm layout with room for large-format electronics and an easy, intuitive control setup—built for long runs in real conditions.

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Fishing-First Features

• Flagship-size cockpit layout designed for a full crew to fish efficiently—trolling, live-baiting, or drifting structure.
• 35+ gallon livewell capacity for keeping baits healthy during long offshore days.
• 400 gallons of fuel for the range Northeast crews want when the plan includes long runs and multiple moves.
• Factory-standard Yamaha Full Maneuverability and dual GPSMAP 9222 (as listed by Southport) for low-speed control and integrated navigation.

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Why the Southport 38FE Works in Northeastern Waters

The 38FE’s big-water size, deep-V design, and long-range fuel capacity are built for anglers who don’t want to be limited by distance or a midday forecast shift. It’s a platform that feels equally suited to mid-shore tuna, canyon missions, and family cruising, which is exactly the kind of versatility Northeast boaters are looking for in a flagship center console.