Dutch builder Element Boats has added a small, jet-driven aluminum runabout to its lineup with the Element 38, a 3.8-meter boat aimed at groups of up to four people. The company positions it as a do-everything machine that stays easy to handle, and it sells the boat in several forms — from a flat-pack kit that buyers assemble themselves to a finished, water-ready craft.
The Element 38 (also listed as the ELM38) sits in the middle of an Element range that spans roughly 2.2 to 5.5 meters. Its appeal is straightforward: a short, light hull with water-jet propulsion that can operate in places where a conventional outboard or sterndrive would struggle.
A small footprint with a shallow draft
The boat measures 380 cm long and 170 cm wide — about 12 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 7 inches — and weighs in at 450 kg, or roughly 990 pounds. Those numbers keep it well within the range of a standard trailer and a mid-size tow vehicle.
The most practical figure may be the draft. At 25 cm — just under 10 inches — the Element 38 can run in shallow rivers, marshes, and sandbar-laced waters that would ground deeper hulls. That shallow draft is a direct benefit of the jet drive, which pulls water through an intake and pushes it out the back rather than relying on a propeller hanging below the hull.
The hull is built from aluminum, a material favored for small workboats and sport craft because it resists impact, shrugs off groundings, and is simple to repair.
Power and capacity
Element lists a power range of 130 to 325 horsepower, leaving a wide gap between a modest, economical setup and a high-output build for buyers who want stronger acceleration and top speed. The boat is rated for four passengers.
In the company’s own description, the Element 38 is meant to balance usability with fun: “Enter the versatile world of the 3.8 meter jet boat, a robust companion for adventurous groups of up to four people. This compact powerhouse is designed with fun and performance in mind, allowing you to get out on the water with friends or family. With its robust, yet practical design, the 3.8m provides enough space and stability for a comfortable ride, while still retaining the agility that Element Boats is known for. Ready for any adventure, this boat promises to share unforgettable moments.”
Three ways to own one
One of the more unusual aspects of the Element 38 is how it’s sold. Buyers can choose among several entry points depending on budget, skill, and how much work they want to take on.
The most hands-on option is a do-it-yourself cutting kit, intended for owners who want to build the boat themselves. A second route is a fully welded aluminum hull, described by the company as “completely welded and ready to be phased out” — that is, ready to be finished and fitted out. For those without the time or workshop space, Element also offers a finished, ready-to-sail boat built by its own team. A hull made from HDPE, a tough plastic, is available as well.
Element frames its approach around close attention to construction details, stating: “Our boats have been thought through from A to Z, with various unique features. This is the boat you never dared to dream of.”
Who it’s for
The combination of light weight, shallow draft, and jet propulsion points to a clear use case. Buyers drawn to small, trailerable boats for shallow inland waters, narrow rivers, and tight coastal areas are the natural audience. The tiered build options also lower the barrier to entry, giving budget-minded or mechanically inclined owners a path that a fully finished boat alone would not.
The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind. At 3.8 meters with a four-person rating, the Element 38 is a day boat rather than a craft for long offshore runs or overnight use. Jet drives also handle differently from propeller boats, particularly at low speeds, which can mean an adjustment period for first-time owners.
Pricing and availability
Element Boats lists the Element 38 in multiple configurations on its website, with prices in euros. Approximate U.S. dollar figures below are based on exchange rates at the time of this writing.
- Do-it-yourself kit: €5,050 (roughly US$5,825)
- Welded aluminum hull: €8,550 (roughly US$9,865)
- HDPE hull: €9,295 (roughly US$10,725)
Accessories are sold separately, including HDPE flooring at €395 (about US$455) and a 64-liter aluminum fuel tank — around 17 U.S. gallons — at €260 (about US$300). Buyers in the United States and elsewhere outside the European Union should factor in shipping, import duties, and local registration when comparing these prices to domestically built boats.
The company is based in the Netherlands and can be reached through its website for custom builds and specific requests.
Product page: Element Boats
