Introduction
The Back Cove 29 is a Downeast-style boat that is a floating catalogue of fundamentals. Based on the traditional, round-bilge, full-keel lobster boat populating every cove and harbor in Maine, a Downeaster is first and foremost practical and utilitarian; its classic proportions and simple beauty follow its function. These boats also serve a specific purpose, thanks to focused designers—they don’t try to be all things to all people. The Back Cove 29 is such a boat, only brought up to date with modern fiberglass construction methods and materials. It is well executed, replacing traditional wooden plank-on-frame construction, and a hard-chine planing hull (with greater speed potential) substitutes for the lobster boat’s semi-displacement, round bilge bottom. Express cruisers, such as those built by Sea Ray and Chaparral, account for the great majority of the cruising boats sold in this size range. So what’s the difference between the Back Cove and those best-selling boats? A few highlights: The express cruiser (EC) has primary access to the foredeck through the opening centerline windshield, opening up interior bridgedeck room by eliminating, or substantially narrowing, the side decks; the EC has sterndrive power, which raises the cockpit, making it unsuitable for serious fishing, but opens up room for a mid-cabin, which is where the engine room is located on the Back Cove 29; the same size EC is often marketed as sleeping 4 to 6 passengers (but look caref...
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