Rio Yachts Paranà 38 : many new features with unchanged elegance and comfort
The first post-lockdown sea trial is 
never forgotten. If the sea trail is also carried out on lake waters, the test takes on an even more exclusive form.
And unquestionably exclusive is the restyling 2020 of the Paranà 38, a boat that we already tested on the open sea with a long-lasting sea trial three years ago and that, today, we have the pleasure to test in her new version.
This time, the Paranà 38, with her 12 meters of comfort and elegance, is waiting for us in the marina of Pilzone, in the wonderful setting of Lake Iseo. It is here, in fact, near the Chiuduno-based headquarters, that Rio Yachts tests its boats.
The weather is fine: the temperature is summer-like in the early morning and the sun emerging from the Prealpa is pleased to announce that it will keep us company for the whole day.
Exteriors: an even more welcoming cockpit and two sundecks
It’s about 9:00 am when we climb on board and cast off. The rather obvious differences of the new Paranà, compared with the previous versions, immediately capture our attention.
The decisive restyling is immediately clear not only from the new hull windows that, as we will see later, make the indoor spaces even brighter but also from a a redesigned cockpit capable of offering even more comfort on board.
One of the main innovations, in fact, lies in stern, where a very comfortable L-shaped sofa can convert into a large sun pad. In the middle, an electrically-operated folding table can seat up to 6/8 guests and lower to the same level of the teak surface, blending in with the cockpit. At half weight, instead, the table becomes part of the sofa, creating a large solarium in the stern.
The white leather cushions that cover it are very elegant and easy-to-remove. Even the stern platform is larger than the one of the previous model, so much to be able to accommodate a tender or a jet sky without any problems.
The cockpit offers a truly generous living area. On the left of the console and the hatchway, a raised chaise longue gives an immediate feeling of relax. Behind the helm station, adjustable according to the owner’s needs, a wet bar/galley serves the guests in a perfect position.
The almost total opening of the soft top transforms the boat in an open-air loft, where, when necessary, you can have lunch sheltered from the sun during the day or enjoy outdoor dining at night. When sailing, it is very pleasant to open the roof to enjoy the fresh air. In fact, we do that as soon as we leave the port.
The side-decks leading to the bow are not very large but exceed the common market standards. The super sundeck is easily accessible thanks to the safe handrails which they are equipped of.
We make a stop on the Loreto Island to take some photos and we also take the opportunity to lie down on the sundeck which, thanks to the strategic position of the anchor windlass below the deck plan, gains additional surface.
The hull of the Paranà 38 has soft and sleek lines that the deck house, with its aerodynamic desing, follows, giving this coupe a really enterprising and dynamic character.
Interiors: refined design, spacious cabins and maximum privacy
The interiors are very sophisticated and made bright by their white wood floor. The finishes are of the highest quality and the feeling is that of being in a classy modern mini-apartment.
Like in the cockpit, an electrically-operated folding table positioned in the middle of the dinette rises from the floor and allows guests to eat sitting on a comfortable U-shaped sofa. On the left of the staircas, there is a small linear galley equipped with hob and sink.
Positioned aft, the VIP cabin has two beds – a double and a single one – which not only gives the possibility to accommodate an additional guest but also allow to fully exploit the surface of a cabin that, on a yacht of this size, is commonly sacrified.
Nevertheless, the main innovation lies in the Master Cabin, 
which does not betray our expectations. A large full-beam central bed follows the permiter of the bow. The environment is very spacious and the headroom is remarkable.
Like the VIP one, the master cabin also features an elegant bathroom which, unlike the guest toilet, is equipped with a separated shower bow with crystal glass.
In conslusion, the spaces below deck are wide and guarantee the upmost privacy for a two couples of friends. Furthemore, the interiors are distinguished by classy details, refined materials, exclusive accessories and elegant furniture, all in authentic Made in Italy style.
We sea for a while in the dinette and admire Montisola, the pearl of Lake Iseo, from the window of the starboard bulwark.
Then, it’s time to reach the helm station, take the helm and test the performance of the Paranà 38.
Rio Yachts Paranà 38: the test is passed!
On this climatically perfect day, we look forward to putting the Paranà 38 through the mill.
The lake is as smooth as glass, so we can have fun with an exciting sequence of turns. The hull tilts and stabilizes with great ease, the driving is soft and sinuous.
Consumption data are excellent, even at high speed: at 3,000 rpm, the boat runs at 27 knots with a fuel consumption of just 91 l/nm (3.4 l/nm).
After perfoming many turns, we finally go back to sailing in a straight line and push the gas thruttles forward. The two Volvo Penta D4-300 sterndrives vent all their power on the propellers: the instant we give “full throttle”, we are gently magnetized towards the stern and we, consenting, let ourselves be dragged in the “take-off” phase.
In 7 seconds, 
the boat gets up on plane and, in less than 20, reaches the top speed: 36.6 knots at 3,600 rpm, with a fuel consumption of just 150 l/h (4.1 l/nm). The flaps are set to 0, the bow is perfectly horizontal and the trail behind us is so perfect that it seems drawn with pencil and ruler. Test completed and passed with flying colors: this Paranà 38 sails excellenty, in absolute comfort, and the average consumption is really low.
We return to port, it’s almost one o’clock and we are hungry. We have an excellent lunch sitting at the stern table, where the sun heat pleasantly warms our heads. Summer is approaching. And the lockdown is a distant memory.
Rio Yachts Paranà 38 Performance
| RPM | Knots | L/h | L/nm |
| 600 | 4.62 | 3.6 | 0.8 |
| 1,000 | 6.31 | 7.7 | 1.2 |
| 1,500 | 8.33 | 22 | 2.6 |
| 2,000 | 11 | 49 | 4.5 |
| 2,200 | 15 | 55 | 3.7 |
| 2,500 | 17.4 | 65 | 3.7 |
| 3,000 | 27 | 91 | 3.4 |
| 3,500 | 34 | 117 | 3.4 |
| 3,600 | 36.6 | 150 | 4.1 |
Rio Yachts Paranà 38 – Technical Specs
| Length | 12,30 m |
| Approval Length | 9,98 m |
| Width | 3,65 m |
| Draft | 0,64 m |
| Unladen Displacement | 9.000 kg |
| Passenger Capacity | 12 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 780 lt |
| Water Tank Capacity | 330 lt |
| Berths | 6 |
| Toilets | 2 |
| CE Category | B |
| Engines | 2 x Volvo Penta D4-300 hp |
