Sabre 66

The flagship of the Sabre fleet, the new Sabre 66 luxury express is the largest, most powerful, most sophisticated, and the most yacht-like Sabre yet. It more than lives up to its name, Dirigo, which means “I lead” in Latin; Dirigo also is the motto for the state of Maine, where all Sabres are built. I was fortunate enough to test hull number one on its maiden delivery. As we cruised off the northern coast of Florida, the twin Volvo D-13 diesels and IPS 3 pod drives burned 60 gph at an easy 27 knots. Living onboard is easy.

A U-shaped settee in the cockpit faces an adjustable hi-low table that can be extended to become a sunpad. The Sabre 66 has a large salon is filled with light from side windows and a super-sized skylight; a long settee is on the port side facing an entertainment center. The helm deck features an L-shaped settee to port and two matching Stidd helm chairs. The galley down is at the foot of the stairs, with everything you need for a long cruise. The midships master stateroom is huge, with 6′ 4″ headroom. The VIP is forward of the galley and a third stateroom is in the bow. All have ensuite heads and showers.

A high-tech electronic switching system controls most of the systems on the boat.

sabreyachts.com

Reliant 40

A traditional-looking Downeast boat from stem to stern, the new Reliant 40 Commuter is the first model from a new company based in Newport, Rhode Island, formed by two of the most respected names in the business: David MacFarlane, the former president and CEO of Alden (and Cal, Ranger and Rampage), and Jim Ewing, the former president of Trumpy and executive VP of Alden.

And although many things have changed in yacht building over the years, they know that important things remain the same. “What hasn’t changed is the boating public’s passion for a beautiful boat,” says MacFarlane. The Reliant 40 Commuter built by Su Marine in Turkey has meticulous craftsmanship, fit and finish, with varnish and satin-finished mahogany throughout. The Downeast ethic shows in the tumblehome, wide teak decks and teak swim platform.

The cockpit is large for entertaining, with an aft settee and inlaid teak table. Under the hardtop, the helm deck has seating for four, plus the captain and mate. The galley is below and to port, with two-burner stove, fridge, microwave, and lots of cabinets. The head is to starboard, with mahogany finish and large separate shower; the queen master is forward. Power is twin Yanmar 320-hp diesels with straight shafts. Cruise speed is 24 knots; top speed is 30 knots.

reliantyachts.com

Shannon 36

It’s not often that someone comes up with a truly new idea in boating, but Walt Schulz, the founder and president of Shannon Yachts, has one and it’s called the Shannon 36.

To keep boating comfortable for aging baby boomers who might not be as agile as they once were, Shannon started a line called Silver Concept, which has special features for owners with mobility or age issues. The problem, he says, is that “most boats are designed for 40 year olds, which is fine as long as you stay 40.” The goal of Silver Concept is that no one has to stop boating because of age. Shannon makes low-profile, classic Downeast boats from 28 to 58 feet.

The new Shannon 36 Silver Concept models include split island double berths for easy access; power sliding doors; wide passageways; a proprietary swim platform that raises and lowers to adjust to any level and a ramp swings out for side-to boarding; a proprietary lift that converts conventional steps into a mechanical lift system for going from the salon to the accommodation deck below; a “knee-under” power helm seat modeled after the driver’s seat in a luxury car; bow and stern thrusters, and one-level decks from transom to the helm.

Each boat can be customized. After all, says Schulz, “90 is the new 60.”

shannonyachts.com

Padebco V25R

It doesn’t get much more Downeast than Round Pound, Maine, a beautiful, protected harbor that serves as the gateway to Penobscot Bay and that also has been the home of Padebco boats for more than 50 years. The new Padebco V25R is proof of that.

Padebco’s newest model, the V25R, is a sporty day boat with classic lines, teak accents, easy handling, and 40-plus knots speeds. The V25R has an almost plumb bow and a sharp entry, like a lobster boat, with hard chines, two lifting strakes on each side, and a 17-degree deadrise at the transom. The beam is only 9 feet, and the draft, with twin 150 Yamahas, is just 18 inches.

The boat comes on plane easily, accelerates quickly and is nimble maneuvering around Maine’s myriad of lobster pots. Padebco is a full-service yard and makes each boat to order. This V25R has seating for eight, with a three-person bench seat aft, another three-person seat on the forward side of an amidships wet bar, and two pedestal-mounted helm seats. The wet bar comes with a sink, storage and removable table for lunch. The helm is finished in faux carbon fiber to reduce glare.

You step down to the salty, teak-trimmed cuddy cabin with a V-berth, head and hanging locker. The Padebco V25R has a solid fiberglass bottom, fiberglass stringers and foam coring in the hull sides and deck.

padebco.com

Marlow Pilot 31: Downeast Dream

Marlow’s entry-level cruiser, the new Marlow Pilot 31, is designed for comfortable cruising for a couple or a small family. The newly designed pilothouse, which now includes the galley and dinette, is protected from the weather by a hardtop overhead and large windows on both sides; Eisenglass can be rolled down aft for a full enclosure. The cabin below offers 6′ 3″ standing headroom, sleeps two in a queen berth and two more in a settee that can be converted into upper and lower berths.

The Marlow Pilot 31 replaces the 30 Pilot and is the third new model since David Marlow bought Mainship four years ago. It reflects quality and design changes, with more features at an affordable price. The new “summer galley” in the pilothouse includes a fridge/freezer, electric cooktop, microwave, and stainless sink. It is just behind the helm seat on the starboard side and faces an L-shaped settee with a dining table to port. A jump seat is just behind the galley. Below, a single seat is built in next to the queen berth. There’s also a good-sized hanging locker and a large head with separate shower. A single Yanmar 220-hp diesel engine produces a cruising speed of 18 to 20 knots and a top speed of 23 knots. A bow thruster is standard. marlow-pilot.com

Legacy 36

Tartan Marine relaunched the Legacy brand 18 months ago with the original Legacy 32 and Legacy 38. Now Tartan has just finished the new Legacy 36, the first Legacy built in Tartan’s Ohio factory. The new 36 was designed by Mark Ellis, who designed the original Legacy, Tim Jackett, Tartan’s COO and designer and the Tartan design team. The Legacy 36 uses Ellis’ modified deep-V hull with wide chine flats running aft so the boat comes up on plane at low speeds. The V entry helps produce a dry and stable ride. A running keel and skeg protect the prop and the skeg-hung rudder. The Downeast appeal shows in the Legacy’s traditional shear line, raked transom, bow flare, and graceful tumblehome.

The Legacy 36 has a large, self-bailing cockpit with an aft settee and two other seats flanking the entrance to the helmdeck, which is enclosed aft with curved plexiglass and a Sapelle-framed sliding door. The captain and mate have pedestal-mounted swivel chairs; the settees convert to a berth.

Owners can choose a galley down and one cabin arrangement or galley up with a second cabin below. The private master stateroom is forward with a large queen-sized island berth. The head is to starboard with a stall shower. Standard power is a Cummins 480-hp diesel.

legacy.tartanyachts.com

Bruckmann Abaco 40

They don’t come much more traditional—or much better looking—than the Bruckmann Abaco 40, a single-diesel, straightforward, solid Downeast boat with elegant fit and finish. Built by Bruckmann Yachts near Toronto, Canada, and designed by Mark Ellis, the Abaco 40 is a single-stateroom cruiser with a Herreshoff interior and flowing lines that turns heads anywhere she goes. From the cockpit, you enter the fully enclosed salon/helm deck through two sliding doors.

Bruckmann is a traditional sailboat builder, and the sailing lineage shows in the Abaco 40’s simplicity. The salon has two bench-type settees facing each other with a table in the middle—they convert to berths if needed. Matching Stidd helm and passenger seats are forward, and large windows provide excellent visibility all around. All the wood is exquisitely joined mahogany. There are no frills here, just seven coats of varnish. Down three steps a U-shaped galley is to port, with a large head and shower to starboard. A centerline berth is forward. Ellis designed the hull with fairly flat aft sections and broad chine flats for stability. A sizable skeg and rudder protect the single prop and help with tracking. Bow and stern thrusters are optional. A 670-hp Cummins produces a cruising speed of 24 knots and a top speed of about 28 knots.

bruckmannyachts.com

Eastport 32 OBX

With classic Chesapeake Bay deadrise lines, the new Eastport 32 OBX (outboard express) traces its heritage to a waterman’s working boat. But Eastport, an Annapolis-based company, uses modern composite materials and an innovative design to produce a performance that would set a waterman’s head spinning. Indeed, with twin 250-hp outboards, the Eastport 32 cruises at a steady 33 knots and tops out at 40 knots. And with a deep-V entry, a soft flare in the bow, a transom deadrise of just 12 degrees, and hard chines and lifting strakes, the Eastport 32 OBX gives a comfortable, dry ride whether you’re fishing in the bay or heading for a cruise off shore.

The Eastport 32 OBX has a large open cockpit for fishing, diving or entertaining. Originally designed with inboard diesel engines, a 300-gallon fuel tank now occupies that space, while under the cockpit sole aft, there’s room for a genset. An extended hardtop protects the pilothouse; an Eisenglass roll-down curtain can complete the enclosure aft. Eastport specializes in customizing each boat, but in this model there’s a settee on the port side; the galley to starboard comes with stainless sink, fridge, microwave, Corian countertop, and storage. Below, the cabin has a head with shower, sink and storage, and a V-berth with a filler cushion. eastportyacht.com