On the Water at the Palm Beach International Boat Show: Meet the Axopar 38

Some of the best conversations happen on the water. This one happened behind the wheel of an Axopar 29 at the Palm Beach International Boat Show where I got a private tour and an inside look at some of the most impressive boats at the show.

I had the pleasure of stepping aboard several Axopar models, including the all-new Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin – the U.S. debut of what the Finnish brand is calling the most ambitious and impactful model in their history. And after spending time aboard these beauties with Axopar spokesman Adam Fiander, I completely understand the excitement.

Axopar launched in Finland in 2014 with a clear mission: build boats that are easy to handle, safe, comfortable, and genuinely fun to drive. In the decade since, they've sold more than 7,500 boats across a range that now spans from the compact 22 to the impressive 45 and in doing so, they've created an entirely new category of boating.

"We have created a new genre of boating," Fiander told me dockside. "What we would call adventure boating. We were the instigators of that genre, which now has between 20 and 30 competitors. But what do they say? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

The numbers speak for themselves. Nearly 3,000 units of the predecessor Axopar 37 have been sold globally making it one of the most trusted and proven boats in its class with owners ranging from first-time boaters to experienced captains, offshore adventurers, commercial operators, and even governments.

The Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin builds on everything that made the 37 iconic while taking comfort and livability to a new level. More time onboard. More flexibility. More life.

"When we started, it would be one or two nights as a classic weekend," Fiander explained. "Now I think you'd probably stay three, maybe four nights onboard. You could cook a nice pasta meal using the induction hub or the microwave."

The design philosophy is pure Nordic. It’s functional, flexible, and timeless. Nothing is overengineered. Everything serves a purpose. And the modularity is remarkable: buyers can configure their Axopar to match almost any lifestyle, from fishing to family outings to extended coastal cruising.

"If they just want to take the grandchildren out, we can do that. If they want a boat to go fishing, they can have a clear open aft deck. The massive range of choices is really what's made the brand successful," Fiander said.

One of the most striking things Fiander shared was this: 20% of all Axopar 37s were sold to people who had never owned a boat before. One in five first-time buyers chose an Axopar. That says everything about how approachable these boats are.

"You feel immediately confident," he told me. "You don't have to have special skills. It's like getting behind the wheel of a car. No more complicated than that."

At the same time, the performance is anything but ordinary. The high sides keep children safe without sacrificing the thrill. The handling is sharp. The ride is confident. It has the excitement of a rigid inflatable boat with all the practicality of a proper vessel. The Axopars have toilets onboard, kitchen modules and extended living space.

"You've got the thrilling of a rib, the excitement of a rib, the pace of a rib," Fiander said, "but you've got practicality."

At Palm Beach, the Axopar 38 XC Cross Cabin was making its U.S. debut and it was easy to see why it was generating so much attention. Fiander put it best:

"You probably need two or three visits on the boat because every time you look at the boat, you see something you didn't see before."

Whether you're a seasoned boater looking for your next adventure or someone who has always dreamed of owning a boat but wasn't sure where to start, the Axopar 38 might just be your answer.

Learn more about the full Axopar range at axopar.com.