10 Day Cruisers Loaded With Downeast Personality

Find Your Next Downeast Runabout, Perfect For Boating In New England. 

This post was updated on January 14, 2021.

Written by, Ed McKnew, PowerBoat Guide Founder

The growing popularity across the country of Downeast-style cruisers has been enjoyable for many boating traditionalists to watch. Much of that popularity can be traced back to 1994 when Hinckley introduced the classic 36 Picnic Boat, a beautiful Downeast day cruiser with unique waterjet propulsion and open-air seating for a small crowd.

The Picnic Boat was a huge success for Hinckley, and it wasn’t long before other, mostly New-England builders followed with a variety of new Downeast runabouts under 30 feet that caught the attention of buyers across the country. The Downeast-style runabouts profiled below consist of eight-under 30-foot cruisers with a large cockpit and seating for six to eight people — often called “Day Boats” by boating enthusiasts. Half are from well-known builders with an entire line of Downeast models to choose from. The rest come from smaller builders, mostly in New England where the Downeast boats originated many generations ago. (Mainship, unfortunately, is out of business — the original Mainship, that is — but they once had the distinction of being the only high-volume manufacturer of Downeast boats in the business.)

All of the models featured here have single-diesel power, and all are built on seaworthy hulls with a deep keel offering at least partial protection to the rudder and prop. When it comes to construction, some brands are more high-tech than others. Downeast Runabouts are a niche segment of today’s express-boat market. In general, these are semi-custom boats meaning that customers have wide latitude in setting the boat up to meet their own needs. Locating a well-maintained used Downeast Runabout isn’t as easy as finding a used Sea Ray Sundowner — for those with patience, however, the wait is usually worth the effort.

1.  MJM 29z | Production Years 2007-Current

An extremely popular New England cruiser — roomy, fuel-efficient, and tons of character. Offered in three configurations; Down East with roll-up side windows, the Express with extended side windows (pictured above), and an outboard version of the Express able to hit 50 knots with 250 Yamahas. Kevlar/E-glass/epoxy construction with Corecell laminate is vacuum-bagged for exceptional strength and rigidity.

The perfect boat for cruising and weekending wraparound lounge seating in the cockpit for eight. Upscale cabin with cherry cabinets, convertible settee, galley, and the enclosed head is striking for its elegance and simplicity. Stidd helm chair, opening front windshield panels, bow thruster, teak-and-holly cabin sole are standard. Lightweight, easily driven hull burns just over 3 gallons per hour at 22–24 knots with single Volvo diesel — very impressive.

2. Hinckley Talaria 29R | Production Years 2003-Current

Distinctive jet-driven runabout with varnished mahogany topsides is the perfect balance of beauty, craftsmanship, and performance. The cockpit — with its teak helm console, Nardi steering wheel — is reminiscent of an old-time sports car. Seating for ten includes a full-width transom seat, L-shaped lounge (with teak table) forward, aft-facing settee molded into the engine box. The varnished cherry cabin includes a V-berth forward and VacuFlush toilet.

A teak swim platform and bow thruster are standard. The engine box lifts at the touch of a button for access to the engine. A fully cored composite hull is Kevlar-reinforced for strength. The shallow draft is a plus in skinny water. Note transom tumblehome. Cruise at 25 knots (30+ top) with Yanmar 440hp engine with the Hamilton Jet drive and JetStick controls.

3. Back Cove 26 | Production Years 2005-2009

Best-selling pocket cruiser combines traditional Downeast styling with versatile deck layout and single-diesel economy. A large aft cockpit with a storage lazaretto below offers plenty of space for socializing with friends and family. Below, the cherry interior boasts a forward dinette that converts to sleep two comfortably.

Aft of the dinette to starboard is an enclosed head with shower, and on the port side is a small galley with refrigerator, stove, and sink. Wide side decks and cockpit jump seats are a plus, and a bow thruster was standard. The entire helm deck lifts for engine access. The Back Cove 26 was available in an open bass boat style or with a pipe-supported hardtop for protection from the weather. Exceptional fit and finish throughout. Cruise at 22 knots (mid 20s top) with a single 260hp Yanmar diesel.

4. Fortier 26 | Production Years 1977-Current

Classic Eldredge-McInnis design combines Downeast and bass boat styling elements in what the builder calls “an honest sea boat for fishing and cruising.” Full keel and skeg offer protection to the shaft and rudder; hull spray rails keep the deck dry. A wide 10-foot beam provides a spacious cockpit and space below for a small cabin with a V-berth, marine head, icebox, and butane stove. Note the distinctive teak windshield.

A hardtop and fish box have been popular options. Cockpit engine box can be used as seating. The Fortier’s hull is fully cored. Two 50-gallon fuel tanks below the cockpit deck provide a cruising range of 200–250 nautical miles. At 6,500 pounds, the Fortier 26 is no lightweight. Among several engines offered over the years, a single 200hp Volvo inboard diesel offers cruising speeds of 16–18 knots.

5. Albin 28 TE | Production Years 1993-2008

Mega-popular Downeast-style cruiser/sportfishing boat with hardtop and flared bow was one of the most successful boats in her class. A cockpit engine box was standard until 2003 when a Flush Deck option moved the engine forward, opening up the cockpit in a big way. Wide side decks make getting around easy and safe.

Belowdecks, the 28’s roomy interior features a full-service galley with fridge and microwave, standup head with shower, mid-cabin berth aft, and a convertible U-shaped dinette forward. A teak-and-holly sole was standard, and six opening ports provide good cabin ventilation. Note wide side decks. Bow thruster was standard. Rugged, reasonably priced, fuel-efficient, and easily maintained — the Albin 28 is a terrific all-around boat with a strong following. Nearly 1,000 were built.

6. Hunt 29 Surfhunter | Production Years 2004-Current

A beautifully finished 29-footer with classic Downeast lines — the Surfhunter draws a crowd everywhere she goes. Superb deck layout for entertaining features L-shaped settee with varnished wood cocktail table adjacent to the helm seat, aft-facing cockpit seat, removable stern seat. In spite of the engine box, the cockpit is big for a boat this size.

Belowdecks, the varnished teak interior comes complete with a convertible dinette, galley with stove and refrigerator, and enclosed head with sink and shower. Built in limited numbers, the Surfhunter 29 is available in express, convertible, or hardtop (pictured above) configurations. Most have been sold with a single sterndrive engine, gas or diesel, with a jackshaft connecting the lower unit. An outboard version became available in 2015.

7. Legacy 28 Express | Production Years 1998-2008

One of the most graceful and popular pocket cruisers of recent years — over 100 were built. With a generous 9’6″ beam, the Legacy’s cockpit and helm deck combined offer seating for 8–10 passengers. Visibility from the elevated helm is excellent (note the high windshield). The side decks are on the narrow side, and a full-width bench seat aft precludes a transom door. Belowdecks, the interior is clean simple but extremely well finished.

A convertible dinette is forward, enclosed head with shower to starboard, and fully equipped galley to port — basic accommodations for a weekend getaway for two. The cabin has six feet of headroom and is finished in cherry joinery with a teak-and-holly sole. A teak swim platform was standard, and a bow thruster and teak transom was a popular option. Cruise at 22–23 knots with a single Yanmar 315hp diesel.

8. Mainship Pilot 30 Sedan | Production Years 1999-2008

The Hardtop version of the original Mainship 30 Pilot is known for distinctive retro styling, large cockpit, and fuel-efficient operation. Don’t look for much glitz in the Pilot—this is a basic boat with modest amenities and good-enough workmanship. The interior was originally set up with a V-berth/dinette forward, full-service galley, good-sized head, and a teak-and-holly cabin sole.

In 2003, the updated Series II Pilot featured an updated cherry interior and a revised cabin layout with a V-berth that folds in half when not in use. The Series II also incorporates a shortened keel, propeller tunnel, and larger five-blade prop. Cruise at 14–15 knots with 170hp Yanmar diesel. Series II models with a 315hp Yanmar cruise at a steady 17–18 knots (low 20s top). Mainship sold a ton of these boats. 

9. Dyer 29 | Production Years 1957-2008

Classic New England utility boat introduced in the 1950s. Offered in several variations over the years including hardtop, bass boat (above), and cuddy configurations. Durable semi-displacement hull with soft chines and prop-protecting keel offers legendary open-water handling.

Owners of these boats tolerate the tight cabin quarters and intrusive engine box while delighting in the fingertip control of the 29’s easily driven hull. (Newer models have the engine under the bridge deck which, by eliminating the engine box, results in a more open cockpit). Hull construction has remained largely unchanged over the years although the fiberglass covered plywood and solid fiberglass decks and deckhouses of early models have been replaced with modern fiberglass composites and balsa coring materials. A single 200hp diesel will cruise at 14–16 knots.

10. Eastern 27 Islander | Production Years 2013-Current

From her classic Downeast lines to efficient use of deck space, the 27 Islander combines traditional styling with the popularity of outboard power. Ideal for coastal cruising, fishing, and family outings on the bay. Semi-enclosed pilothouse with sliding side windows features a two-person settee to port and open-air galley with sink and refrigerator abaft the helm.

A cushioned bench seat at the transom seats three comfortably (an aft-facing cooler seat is optional.) Cabin accommodations include a settee/V-berth with removable pedestal table forward, storage cabinet, enclosed head with shower and electric head. A mid-berth under the helm deck offers additional sleeping capacity or storage. Hull is cored above the waterline. Cruise at 20-22 knots with Yamaha 250hp bracket-mounted outboards.

If you’re interested in enjoying a day cruiser with Downeast personality, contact a Denison yacht broker today. They’ll help you find your dream boat. 

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