Coecles Harbor Marine is located between the North and South Forks at the eastern end of Long Island, New York and is known regionally as the builder of the much esteemed Shelter Island 38 runabout.
Last year the builder came out with an outboard version that spec’d twin 300-horsepower Mercury Verado outboards instead of the standard inboard diesel engine. The outboards are quieter than the inboard engines and do not smell of diesel.
Importantly, the shift to outboards opened up the hull under the cockpit for storage of items like snorkeling and diving gear and water toys. As a one cabin runabout, the38 is a day boat for family excursions or for high-speed commutes .
The builder is now spec’ing engines up to 450-horsepower. With 900-horses on the stern, the 38 should have atop end speed of 45 knots or so. With a narrow hull, a sharp bow and 15-degrees of dead rise at the stern, the boat has a silky ride and is sure-footed at sped.
The original Shelter Island 38 was designed and built for the singer Billy Joel, who had grown up on long island and had been a boat owner most of huis life. He often used which ever boat he owned to commute from Long Island to New York City.
The first 38 was built 30 years ago but remains today one of the prettiest boats in any harbor and evokes deep New England roots. She is many an old salt’s idea of a proper “dream boat.”
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