Downeast-style yachts were an inspiration from the iconic lobster boat designs of the 1900s. The classic lobster boat has been described as the “work truck of the Maine coast,” For decades, lobster boats have been the working vessels of the Northeast, used by fishermen to tend their lobster traps and, as such, these boats have been developed and advanced to meet those needs.
Since imitation is the genuine form of flattery, the lobster boat style should be flattered indeed. By the middle of the 20th century, and bustling through to today’s modern yet classic yachts, the Downeast-segment of the market is active and prosperous.
Find below some of the greatest Downeast yachts between 20 and 70-plus feet, which have managed to keep some of the classic look from “the lobster boats” while incoporating the modern structure and functionality of today’s boat industry.
Since imitation is the genuine form of flattery, the lobster boat style should be flattered indeed. By the middle of the 20th century, and bustling through to today’s modern yet classic yachts, the Downeast-segment of the market is active and prosperous.
Find below some of the greatest Downeast yachts between 20 and 70-plus feet, which have managed to keep some of the classic look from “the lobster boats” while incoporating the modern structure and functionality of today’s boat industry.
* 20-29 FEET:
HINCKLEY T29R*
A Hinckley
is perhaps the ideal Down-east boat. Known for their low profile, sweeping sheer
line, gorgeous tumblehome, exquisite workmanship, and classic good looks,
Hinckleys have also proven to be industry leaders over the years. Indeed, the
company was one of the first builders to use fiberglass (in 1956) and was the
first production builder to use jet propulsion.
Designed by Bruce King, the T29R is built in the spirit of a
gentleman’s runabout. It has a small cuddy cabin with a V-berth, a
satin-varnished interior, and even a Vacu-Flush toilet. But this boat is meant
to be enjoyed for the day; indeed, it can hold up to ten people for
watersports, a cruise around the bay, or evening cocktails at the dock. And its
proportions are just right, particularly if viewed from the stern quarter,
where the pronounced tumblehome, graceful sheer line, and flare of the topsides
translate into a nautical form of eye candy. The varnished teak caprail and
instrument panel (with carbon fiber accents) along with the Nardi steering
wheel are just icing on the cake.
They’re also much safer when anyone is engaging in water
sports. Hinkley’s patented fingertip JetStick control and standard bow thruster
make low-speed maneuvering and docking easy. The hull is laid up with an outer
skin of Kevlar and E-glass, a foam core and inner layer of carbon fiber, fused
with a vacuum resin transfer process.
*30-39 FEET: BACK COVE 32*
All Back-Cove models share the same Downeast styling. The
new Back Cove 32 is true to that heritage, and it was named Best New Powerboat Under 35 Feet at the Newport, Rhode Island, boat show last
September.
The 32 is designed as a couple’s cruiser, but it’s found
on a cruise last summer through mid-coast Maine from Rockland to Portland, it’s
much more than that. In addition to the helm to starboard and a mate’s seat to
port, at least two people at any time seemed to congregate on the large,
comfortable, U-shape settee on the port side. Its high-gloss, inlaid table
converts to a berth.
It’s seems easy to move around the boat, even underway
with four people, because it’s all one level from the transom forward to the
companion way leading to the cabin. The galley is up, on the starboard side,
with the basics: a Thetford two-burner cooktop, stainless sink, convection
microwave, and drawers for storage. The bridge deck is protected by a hardtop
and large side windows, which slide open for ventilation. So, does the middle
window on the windshield, and the hatch overhead. The view from the helm, as I
found driving in Maine, is excellent all around. Docking is easy with the
standard bow thruster and optional stern thruster.
*40-49 FEET: PALM BEACH 42*
This elegant Down east boat has an aggressive, low
profile, graceful sheer line, and it is the first new Palm Beach model since
Grand Banks bought the Australian builder in 2014. Even though it’s built half
the world away from Maine, the new Palm Beach 42 has enough teak and brightwork
inside and out to satisfy even the most traditional and salty New England
purist.
“This is well known as the most gorgeous and feature-rich
yacht of its size out there,” Indeed, the fit and finish are impeccable
throughout: Electric windows, Ultra leather upholstery, Silestone countertops,
are all surrounded by hand-built teak cabinetry. And you can customize the
interior, choosing between a single stateroom and a large galley down, or two
staterooms below with a galley up.
*50-59 FEET: MJM 50z*
The classic, low-profile MJM Yachts 50z
is a boat with a pedigree. Its founder, Bob Johnstone, also cofounded J/Boats,
and its designer, Doug Zurn, has been one of the most recognized designers of
Downeast yachts since he drew the lines for the head-snapping Shelter Island
Runabout two decades ago.
S-shape sheer line, harmonious styling
elements, Carolina flair in the bow, and gracious tumblehome aft, the 50z
arguably hits that mark. The standard Seakeeper gyrostabilizer damps roll
underway or at anchor, and the Certified Category an Ocean rating by the
International Standards Organization means the boat is safe offshore. The MJM
Yachts 50z is unique in its combination of looks, performance, safety, and innovation.
*60-69 FEET: SABRE
66 DIRIGO*
“Dirigo” is Latin for “I lead.” It also is the motto for
the State of Maine, where all Sabres are built. The 66 Dirigo clearly takes the
leading spot in the Sabre lineup, which starts at 38 feet and previously had
ended at 54. But the new Sabre flagship is the company’s leader in more than
length alone: In fact, it is the most elegant Sabre yet, the most sophisticated
Sabre yet, the most technologically advanced Sabre yet, and the most yacht-like
Sabre yet.
The Sabre 66 is a full-size luxury
express cruiser—with three staterooms, three heads and various social areas
inside and out—that was specifically designed to be an owner-operator boat. You
can board the boat via the large teak swim platform, which drops down at the
push of a button for direct water access.
*70-79 FEET: HUNT 72*
With a combination of legendary design, superior
performance and exquisite craftsmanship, the new Hunt 72 seems to have it all.
So it’s no surprise that this just-launched Down east beauty was named Best
Overall Powerboat at last September’s Newport, Rhode Island, boat show. “It is
impressive to see a boat this size that can be operated by the owner,” the
judges said. “This boat has over 80,000 man hours in its build and every hour
was well spent. There is not one detail that hasn’t been addressed. Fit and
finish are immaculate…This is a timeless design.”
What you notice when you look at the boat are that the
proportions are just right; the lines are classic; the sheer is long and seems
to stretch on forever. And then there’s the gleaming brightwork—absolutely
everywhere, inside and out, up and down. It would be hard to find a
saltier-looking 72-foot boat floating anywhere today.
If you have any
questions regarding your boat, we recommend Whiticar Boat Works! We are a leader in the marine industry. We are a well-known
company in Florida founded in 1949 by Curtis ´Curt´ Whiticar. Whiticar Boat Works is a family owned
& operated company. we have various division in the state! For more
information about us check out the website
http://www.whiticar.com/ or call us (772) 287-2883
*Stuart Boat Yard Office (772) 287-2883
* Fort Pierce Boat Yard Office (772) 460-0660
*Whiticar Yacht Sales Office (772) 219-3425
References
Janssen, P. (2017, February 7). Dreamboats.
Retrieved from Passage Maker:
http://www.passagemaker.com/cruiser-reviews/39098
