Hustler Announces 388 Reloaded for Miami Boat Show

Two years after redesigning the cockpit, dash and windshield on its immensely popular 388 Slingshot and launching the revamped model—dubbed the 388 Slingshot Reloaded—at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show, Hustler Powerboats is in the midst of updating the 38-footer’s hull now.

Based off the Calverton, N.Y., company’s successful 39 Rockit bottom design, the 388 Reloaded will be unveiled at the 2013 Miami International Boat Show in February, and Hustler principals are expecting big things from the new model.

“Being that the bottom on the 39 Rockit has performed so well, especially with the big power some of our customers have thrown at it, we decided to take what we’ve learned from the 39-foot design and apply it to the 38-footer,” said Paul LoGiudice, Hustler’s vice president of marketing and sales. “Along with modifying some step locations, we tweaked a couple of other things and are currently building the new 388 Reloaded for the 2013 Miami International Boat Show.”

LoGiudice seemed thrilled about the relaunch of the 388 Reloaded, which features side-by-side engine installation, a five-seat cockpit and a fully loaded cabin. He said a pair of Mercury Racing 565 engines with Bravo One XR drives will be installed in the first 38-footer.

“We’re excited about the changes we’ve made to the bottom as well as a couple of things we’re doing to update the inside of the boat,” LoGiudice said. “It should be very interesting to see how the boat comes together. Based on comparisons we’ve done with diesel power in both the 388 and the 39, we have the tendency believe that the performance, handing and speed will increase in the new 388 Reloaded.”