The way forward: Defying expectations with Aiata’s first Wayfinder 38 modular boat

Erica Lay believes that the Wayfinder 38, Aiata’s Jämsén-designed modular marvel, could steal your chase boat’s job.

The sun’s bouncing off polished teak and gelcoat as we slip out of Mallorca’s Puerto Portals, the twin outboards humming like they’re on their best behaviour. I’m not on a 15-metre express cruiser, but if you squint, it could pass for one. The Wayfinder 38 from Aiata doesn’t just defy expectations, it folds them up neatly into one of its clever lockers, sticks a sunpad on top and hands you a drink while you consider swapping the wet bar for the grill and turning the aft into a fishing lover’s dream.

She’s Aiata’s first model, but you wouldn’t know it. Every line, every fitting feels like it’s been done before, but in a good way. On paper, she’s a versatile dayboat. In reality, she could moonlight as a high-performance chase boat or a superyacht tender without breaking a sweat.

Aiata is part of Anadolu Motor, a big name in engine manufacturing. Now they’ve wandered into the luxury leisure space, and this is their “ta-da” moment. “Wayfinder 38 stands out with its revolutionary modular design, allowing for complete customisation and adaptability even after purchase,” said general manager Yuktun Tok. Translation: your boat can evolve with you: different home port, different hobbies, different crew… without living in a shipyard for months.

And it’s not just sales patter. You can genuinely flip her from open suntop to enclosed cabin to sportfishing set-up in under two days. Helm, galley, wet bar, move it around like a very expensive Lego set. Owners can arrange configuration changes through Aiata’s dealer network. The work can be carried out at the yard or by authorised technicians who visit the boat. Behind the pretty face is serious engineering: vacuum infusion, FEM-calculated hull, robotic gelcoat. It’s definitely not your average Med sunlounger.

The sleek hull lines come from Jarkko Jämsén and Navia Design (the same brains behind Axopar, Brabus Marine and two award-winning Feadships called Pi). “I like the fact that we’re introducing a bow flare that combines a classical US flare with a European styling and resulting in a quite timeless look,” Jämsén said. But she’s got her own personality – a bit less Scandi cool and a bit more ready for anything.

“The client approached us with the ambition of entering the boating business,” he added. Navia was involved from the first sketches through to CFD optimisation, stability calculations and full exterior/interior design. It’s a rare case of a designer being there from the first spark of an idea to the final lick of paint. It’s no wonder she feels so cohesive.

And if you’re wondering, that modular idea wasn’t a happy accident. “At the core of the design philosophy was the idea of adaptability,” said Tok, something reiterated by Jämsén: “The idea of a modular design was largely adopted during the initial phase.” It was about adding value for both owners and dealers by creating a boat that could evolve over time, staying useful for future owners.

That hull is a twin-stepped, deep-V shape, fine-tuned with the kind of software usually reserved for superyachts. In practice? Smooth and confident even when the sea’s in a mood, which it was on that sunny but windy Thursday afternoon in August. We threw her into some turns, took a bit of chop and she stayed composed – sharp through the corners, soft on the landings and surprisingly quiet. I didn’t even have to shout over the engines, and my hair stayed dry. That normally never happens.

Ben Toogood of Mallorca Marine Group called the handling “responsive and enjoyable”, with the punch of a sports boat but none of the hang-on-and-pray drama. She’ll do between 41 and 53 knots, depending on engines, with a 200-nautical-mile range from an 800-litre tank. The joystick docking? Silky. No sweaty-palmed marina moments, no embarrassing bow kicks. Because, let’s be honest, there’s always an audience when you’re docking, and they’re always ready to judge.

Others on our test drive were instant fans of the quiet ride, minimal spray and the lack of needing to cling to the nearest grab rail in terror. I heard a lot of “ooh, she’s stable” and zero “are we there yet?” Perfect for ferrying champagne-sippers without losing half the bottle over the side.

And she’s not just for Balearic bay-hopping. “We primarily targeted the Mediterranean and US markets, while keeping the global market in mind,” said Jämsén. “The buyer of this boat is someone seeking a reliable, easy-to-use and versatile vessel.”

One week she could be kitted out for fishing and watersports with rocket launchers and tow bar, the next she’s a quiet, enclosed wildlife tender. Sailing yachts could use her for hauling gear at regattas or turning into a floating bar once the racing’s over. “Whether it’s weekend cruising, hobby fishing, watersports or as a high-end tender for larger yachts, the Wayfinder 38 adapts to its owner’s lifestyle seamlessly,” said Tok.

Practical touches abound: wide walkaround decks, wet bar, grill, rod holders, even a camper-style bow unit. The online configurator is dangerously addictive – I lost 40 minutes building a “work” spec, which was really just an excuse to add more fishing toys and a bigger drinks fridge.

Below, the cabin is bright, airy and surprisingly roomy. Queen bed, oak or teak cabinetry, proper shower and natural light from hull windows. You can tweak the interior just like the deck: add a galley, swap out seating, spin the helm chairs to face the party. “It’s about rethinking how boaters interact with their environment,” said Tok.

This is just the start. Aiata’s already working on a Mediterranean Edition and a new Wayfinder 48, both set to premiere at Boot Düsseldorf 2026. Until then, the Wayfinder 38 is a rare all-rounder. The boat works hard, plays hard and looks good doing it. She’s fast enough for fun, smart enough for crew, stylish enough for guests and, yes, stable enough for champagne.

First published in the October 2025 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.