The Newport International Boats Show, known in the trade as NIBS, kicks off next week and runs from September 12 to 15. The show is the first big in-the-water show of the fall and has a wide cross section of boats from every niche of the market.
Every year, we take the opportunity to highlight some of our favorites. This is a subjective list and focuses on owner-operated power cruisers that fit with the family cruising lifestyle. That’s what Cruising Odyssey is all about.
So, here are 11 boats, new and recently new, that caught our eye.
Back Cove 39O
This big sister to the 34O is a handsome, Downeast-style family cruiser with twin outboards. That’s what the “O” in its name stands for. Built in Maine, Back Cove delivers solid quality and a pleasant spacious accommodation plan for a family for weekending and summer vacations. Read our full review here.
CL Yacht CLB65
This modern classic is built in China by the Cheoy Lee Shipyard that is now under the management of the fourth generation of the founding Lo family. The CLB65 offers wide open spaces for entertaining and has a full beam master cabin that will be a true sanctuary when cruising. The flying bridge sports a large lounge that will be the main social area in good weather. Read more here.
Hinckley Picnic Boat 39
Last summer, Hinckley Yachts, which is celebrating both its 100th year in business and the 30th anniversary of the first Picnic Boat, announced the launch of the new Picnic Boat 39, the first model in the line with forward seating. The new model, which preserves the classic Downeast Picnic Boat look, offers owners and guests a unique boating and social environment in the three distinct but adjoined seating areas – the cockpit, helm area and now the forward lounge—which are perfect for entertaining family and friends. Read more here.
Hunt Ocean 63
This C. Raymond Hunt Associates design has the famous deep-V Hunt hull that provides their boats with a truly stable and soft ride, even in rough seas. This spacious fly-bridge cruiser, with salty Downeast looks, has been turning heads since it was first launched. A new Hunt 56 is in the works for next year. Check out our full review here.
MJM 4
This handsome family day boat and cruiser is the product of the new Washington, North Carolina, team and the new MJM owners Seolta Holdings. The company is now building their four models in series and has taken long strides in the art and science of modern, infusion boat-building techniques. The MJM 4 can cruise efficiently at 30 knots with a top end speed of over 40. The brand new MJM 42 was launched last summer. Read our full review here.
Maritimo M55 Black Edition
Designed and built in Australia, the M55 Black Edition from Maritimo is a flybridge, long range cruiser with sleek sportfishing-boat lines and an enclosed bridge that protects you in all weathers. The Black Edition of the 55 incorporates dozens of details and improvements to this ever popular 55-footer, including a reimagined beach deck aft, a sky lounge on the bridge and a larger aft galley. This is a couples, live-aboard, go-anywhere floating home. Read more here.
Nordhavn 475
This capable world cruiser embodies all of the blue-water DNA that Nordhavn is famous for and packs it into a mid-size package without losing any of the creature comforts and live aboard qualities adventurous cruisers like and need. The 475 is based on the 43 but with a very different look and style. This is a salty couple’s yacht that will look after you when the going gets tough. Read more here.
North Coast 415HT
This brand new design from the Bristol, Rhode Island builder has the company’s Downeast styling with a deep-V hull. The company is known for its sportfishing models so the 415 has that offshore capability built in. But, it also has pleasant accommodations for family cruising. And a top end speed of almost 50 knots. Read our full review here.
Outer Reef 610
Designed and built to be run by a cruising couple without need of crew, the 610 has proven to be a roomy, efficient cruiser for long-haul adventuring. Whether you are heading to the tropics or prefer the higher latitudes, the 610 has all of the seakeeping and live-aboard qualities you might need. Read our full review here.
Sabre 43 Salon Express
Launched in 2022, the 43 Salon Express is true to the Downeast lines and streamlined cabin design that has made Sabre models coveted around the world. Cruising Odyssey was lucky enough to present when hull number one was introduced and can vouch for the high quality of the build and the fanatical attention to detail. Read our full review here.
True North 39 OE
This brand-new model from True North, which are built in Florida by Catalina Yachts, builds on all that the company developed for the successful 34 OE. The switch to outboard power has created more efficient and faster cruising speeds while also freeing up storage space in the boat’s middle. A fine weekend and family cruising platform, the 39OE has its world premier at the Newport show. Read more here.
