Over the next few months I am going to follow each step in the development of a new boat design. I hope you'll enjoy learning more about how designs are taken from computer screen to water.

"Tools" for the purpose of this blog are molds and molds for the uninitiated are the tools from which fiberglass parts are made. Before a mold can be built a full size plug of the part, one that looks just like the actual boat, has to be constructed. BTW that is not always true there are methods of going directly to female molds but that is generally only used for one-off designs.

Today, plugs are carved from large billets of foam using the naval architect's drawings to guide the multi-axis router over the surface and create the form. Step one is to make the plywood forms that you see here. 

 
  
Those forms are erected and covered with wire screening. Then, foam is sprayed on the exterior to give a very (very) rough "buck" of foam that the router will carve.

Next time we'll show you the router in action.
 

Over the last five years Back Cove Yachtshas collected quite a following, having completed more than 400 hulls. Now, the design that started it all is going to be replaced with the next generation of designs. Yes the venerable Back Cove 29 is going to be replaced in June of 2010 with the exciting new Back Cove 30. We will continue to offer the 29 as a soft top, open version while the new Back Cove 30 will be made standard with a hard top, Yanmar 315 diesel engine, molded-in cockpit seating and a transom door.

In her interior the seating, galley and head unit will be much the same as her predecessor. The exceptions are in the improved galley storage and the manner in which the salon makes into a berth. When so desired, berth cushions which lay along the hull side of the berth, can be deployed athwartships to create a cozy environment in which to relax below decks. 

On her helm deck, seating is raised so that all of the crew has the same sight lines as the helmsperson. To port, the mates bench can comfortably seat two. Engine access is exceptional as it is on all Back Cove designs.

I her cockpit crews will enjoy the molded-in seating and the ease of access through the transom door.

Look for her to be in sea trials in June of 2010 and follow her development here on the Back Cove blog
 

I love images of our boats in unusual places. I've posted shots of Back Coves from Sydney to Monaco. When most of us think about boating we think of sunny days and warm breezes, but in some places that just doesn't happen every day and one of those places is Newfoundland in Atlantic Canada. This is a magical place as anyone who has been there knows. I have a sister in law who was born there and plans to retire there with my brother. The people are truly amazing. You don't have to lock your doors or take the keys out of your car at night. Yes the weather can be harsh but it can also be dazzling and bright. So when I received this exciting image of one of our boats with an iceberg as backdrop I wanted to post it to the blog right away.

 Now if my words have tempted you to find out more about Newfoundland you might just want to pick up a book by Canadian author Farley Mowatt entitled "the Boat That Wouldn't Float" It's a terrific yarn about boats and the kind hearted people of Newfoundland.

Good for dat chilly night in front of da fire by Jeez!

I have lived in Portland, Maine for over fifteen years now and the thing that always amazes me is the diversity of fabulous restaurants that this small city offers.It seems that when young, inspired chefs leave well known New York, Boston and Philadelphia restaurants they flock to Maine to show off the skills they have learned in their big city jobs. Life is simpler here and these young entrepreneurs thrive in our environment.

Recently Bon Appetit magazine recognized this culinary brilliance by naming Portland America's Best small city for Foodies. Quite an accomplishment for our fair city.

But what does that have to do with boats you ask? Well, pleasure can be found in many ways and in many places, so when you decide to come to visit our yards in Rockland and in Raymond, take your time, spend a few days in Portland and really get the most out of your visit.

Bon appettit !

G'day!

I'll start by saying that I was born in Australia and so if I find this review particularly good, It may just at I am biased by my antipodean roots. But I have also owned a Back Cove 33 for the last two years and loved every minute of it, as have my family and friends.

Jed Elderkin of E Maine Australia, who represents us in Oz, has sent this link to some great video footage and dialog on the 33.

Good on ya Jed !

For American men a boat show is an opportunity to check out the new boat models, look at the latest in electronics (aka toys) and maybe, just maybe buy the yearly pair of deck shoes, assuming of course that the old ones are thoroughly worn out  For the fairer sex it's an opportunity to add yet another pair of deck shoes to a collection that most men cannot even begin to comprehend. Of course they love boats too or they would not be married to guys like us.

As for myself and the folks at Back Cove who plan, setup and man our boat show displays, boatshows are our turn to shine. At shows we get to meet and greet, talk, brag, answer tough questions and most importantly we get to represent the wonderful people from right here in Rockland, Maine, USA who craft our amazing boats. I wish they could all be there to hear the praise but they have boats to build.

Our first boat show of the fall season is in Oslo, Norway where our dealer Azure Yachts has a Back Cove 33 on display and from there Cannes, Seattle, Newport, Cedar Point, Norwalk, Genoa, Annapolis and Ft Lauderdale all come tumbling one atop the other. It's a frenzy but it is truly fun and we look forward to it with enthusiasm. With luck we'll be coming home with orders to add to our employment role and create some new jobs, right here in the Great State of Maine.

As for the shoes, my wife also works at these shows and she knows I am a size 11 1/2 . Same style as always. Boring !

I read a lot of marine publications. Whether looking for the next new styling idea, browsing the "boats for sale" ads to see how many of our boats are on the market or looking for technical tips, I try to drink in as much market knowledge as I can. Magazines are a great place to find it.

One topic I am pleased to see in the forefront lately is fossil fuels and boating. A lot has happened over the last few decades to clean up all marine propulsion engines from gasoline outboards, to gas and diesel inboards. Evidently we as a group (boaters) are more aware of the need to clean up our environment and use less fuel than is the general population. Little wonder I suppose. We enjoy the most beautiful of places on our planet and want to keep them that way.

As a company I am proud of what we have done with fuel consumption. Our boats may not go 40 knots, they go about 25 on average, but while they are doing that they are burning about 1/3 less fuel than a gasoline powered vessel of the same size and weight would burn. At current fuel prices we save about $1,500 per year and 600 gallons of fuel (assuming about 100 hours of use per year).

While EFI ignition systems and four stroke outboards have gotten a lot of oil out of the water, the diesel engine builders have introduced new cleaner electronic diesels which do not smoke at start up and provide quieter, more fuel efficient operation. Today's diesel engines meet IMO (International marine organization) Tier 2 standards and there is still more improvements to come.

So to you my fellow boater I say, "be a good steward of the environment that you enjoy so much. We all need to make sure that we leave it in better shape than we found it.

One of my personal ticks that I was able to make on my personal bucket list was a cruise in the San Juan Islands. I managed this one as a "working" assignment but resolved to return with my family so that I could absorb all that this magnificent place has to offer. There is so much natural beauty that a few days simply doesn't let you take enough in.

http://www.passagemaker.com/MagazineandEvents/OnlineResources/Newsletter/NewsletterContent/tabid/442/ctl/Read/id/1511/mid/1158/Default.aspx

When I saw this review of a San Juan Charter and another boater like me with a bucket list of places to go and things to see, I thought of my trip and my tick and wondered how many other people out there also have this one on their list

If you read this blog you're probably pretty enthusiastic about boating. You are more than just a casual participant and you probably love pretty boats. There are two real boat shows in this world. (well maybe three if you count Genoa:-) ) One is the Maine Boatbuilders Show which takes place in March and the other is the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show which takes place this coming weekend in Rockland, Maine. If you like pretty boats then this show is for you.

At this show you can talk to the craftspeoplewho build spectacular wooden canoes and the designers and builders of large sail and motoryachts and the builders of everything in between. It's cool and it is a lot of fun. You may even want to take in the boatyard dog contest which is always a hoot.

We'll be there with the Sabre 40 and the Sabre 52 and the Back Cove 33 and 37. If you come to the show please drop by and say hello.

I just had an email from a client who was fortunate to have spent time recently cruising in the Greek islands with his family. On board a charter their captain suggested the port of Kyparissi in Pelloponese for an afternoon swim. To their surprise they found a Back Cove 33 docked at the town pier and took some pictures for me to post on our blog.

As we expand our network of dealers to foreign markets we have appointed Planatech of Athens as our dealer for Greece. Last winter I had a chance to visit with them and work at the boat show in Athens but from the look of these images perhaps I should go back and sea trial the boat in the Greek islands. It looks fantastic doesn't it?