Cruising the Maine Coast with Greg and Leah aboard their Back Cove 39O

Greg and Leah are lifelong boaters, with more than seventy-five vessels to their names over the years. But when it came time to choose a boat for summer cruising along the rugged and beautiful Maine coast, they found exactly what they were looking for in the Back Cove 39O.

A Boat That Hits the Sweet Spot

What drew them to the 39O? For Greg and Leah, it came down to balance. The 39O offers what they describe as the perfect sweet spot. Not too big and not too small, it strikes just the right size for coastal cruising. Its open layout and thoughtful design make the boat feel spacious and welcoming, whether they are enjoying a quiet morning on the hook or entertaining guests at the dock.

The 39O’s Downeast heritage stands out in every harbor. From its clean lines to its American cherry interiors, the boat carries the tradition of Maine boatbuilding with pride. Underneath that classic exterior is impressive performance. Cruising speeds of 30 knots and beyond, along with a range of over 300 miles, give Greg the ability to “get there a little quicker” without sacrificing comfort or character.

Exploring from Portland to Bar Harbor

Comfort in Every Season

The 39O is built for more than just summer. Its enclosed helm deck offers a climate-controlled space that extends the season comfortably into spring and fall. Whether the skies are clear or the wind picks up, Greg and Leah stay warm, dry, and connected to the view.

Inside, the galley-up layout keeps cooking and socializing all in one place, and the owner’s cabin offers a queen island berth that provides a quiet and restful retreat at the end of the day.

A Confident Cruising Companion

For Greg and Leah, the 39O delivers exactly what they need for their coastal lifestyle. A boat with classic looks, modern capability, and practical features that make cruising more comfortable and more enjoyable.

“It’s the perfect combination,” Greg says. “Overall, it’s just a solid, great boat. Really is.”

Their journey along the Maine coast—from day trips to overnight stays, long rides to quiet anchorages—reminds us how the right boat can turn every cruise into something memorable.

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Revolutionizing the Ride

When Mercury Marine unveiled the 600HP Verado V12, it marked more than just an advancement in horsepower—it redefined what’s possible in outboard propulsion. As the world’s first V12 outboard engine, it brings a level of performance, control, and engineering that was once reserved for much larger inboard systems.

At its core, the Verado V12 was engineered to move larger boats over greater distances—delivering serious power without compromising comfort, efficiency, or control. Despite its size and capability, it remains remarkably quiet and composed at idle and cruising speeds, making it an ideal pairing for premium vessels that demand both muscle and refinement.

So what makes it so revolutionary?

First, there’s the headline stat—600 horsepower, the highest ever in an outboard from Mercury. But it’s the technology under the cowling that sets it apart. A two-speed automatic transmission optimizes torque and fuel burn at different RPM ranges, giving you powerful acceleration without sacrificing cruising efficiency. The independent steerable gearcase—yes, the entire lower unit moves instead of the engine—means tighter turns, better tracking, and less vibration at the helm.

Another standout feature—especially important for long-distance cruisers—is serviceability. The V12 was designed with accessibility in mind, allowing for routine maintenance, such as oil and gear lube changes, to be done while the boat is still in the water. A quick-access hatch on the cowling makes basic checks and top-offs simple, while major service intervals are spaced further apart than ever before. It’s a thoughtful upgrade that reduces downtime and keeps you focused on the journey ahead.

For Back Cove Yachts, this innovation opens new doors—particularly with the Back Cove 39O

Already known for its elegant profile and seaworthy hull, the 39O is built to perform with outboard power. With the addition of twin Mercury 600HP V12 engines, owners will experience greater cruising efficiency, reduced engine noise, and increased range thanks to the engine’s intelligent fuel management. Docking and low-speed maneuvering become more precise, thanks to the steerable gearcases that enhance control without moving the engines themselves.

The 600HP Verado V12 doesn’t just add power to the 39O—it elevates the entire experience, blending performance with the quiet confidence Back Cove owners have come to expect.

Whether you’re chasing horizons or enjoying a quiet afternoon at anchor, the 600HP Mercury Verado V12 gives you the best of both worlds: sheer power and sophisticated control. It’s not just the biggest—it’s the smartest, too.

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Building More than Boats

In late August, members of the Back Cove Yachts team partnered up with the Rockland Rotary Club to help build an all-inclusive playground, bringing joy and accessibility to children in Mid-Coast Maine. This new playground, located at the former MacDougal School site, is designed for kids of all abilities, providing provides a safe and fun space for everyone to play.

The Rockland Rotary Club, approaching its 100th anniversary in 2024, made it their mission to build a playground that caters to children faced with physical, emotional, and or social challenges. Featuring over 10 play structures, including wheelchair-accessible equipment and sensory pods, the playground ensures all children can enjoy themselves, regardless of their abilities and just be kids.

Back Cove Yachts was honored to be part of this important community initiative. “We’re proud to support a project that gives back to local families and helps create a space where every child can feel included,” said Carol Worcester, Rockland Rotary’s President-Elect and Back Cove team member.

Thanks to donations, grants, and local fundraisers like the Rotary’s annual Bass Fishing Tournament, the playground’s $200,000 funding goal was met, and the grand opening brought smiles to children eager to explore the new space. The playground officially opened to the public in late August, offering families in the region a closer, more accessible option for inclusive play.

At Back Cove Yachts, supporting the local community is a core value, and we’re excited to see this playground become a cherished spot for families across the Mid-Coast.

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Serendipity in Nashville

In a serendipitous turn of events, a yacht broker from Connecticut played a part in reuniting a historic guitar with its maker…

Sabre & Back Cove Yachts recently hosted our dealer meeting in Nashville, TN with representatives from our dealerships around the country & the world.

Why did a Maine-based boatbuilder host an event in Nashville? Well, there are a couple good reasons! The first is that logistically-speaking, it is a relatively central location as we have a strong network of dealers all over… Secondly, and much more interestingly, there is a family connection between Sabre and Back Cove and Gibson. Our Chairman, Daniel Zilkha, has lead Sabre since the early 1990’s and Back Cove since its inception, while his son, Nat Zilkha, is the current Chairman of Gibson Guitars. Talk about a really neat connection between two iconic American manufacturing brands from very different industries!

Part of the trip included a night at the Gibson Garage to celebrate our dealers and give out the Dealer & Broker of the Year awards. As a part of the evening, we were treated to an incredible behind the scenes tour of the Garage with Mark Agnesi, Gibson’s Director of Brand Experience. One of the folks on the tour with us was the 2023 Back Cove Broker of the Year, Joe Nadeau, from Petzold’s Marine Center in CT. Joe was also part of the group that toured the Gibson manufacturing facility while we were in town.

Shortly after returning home, he stumbled across something quite interesting… Nadeau was browsing Facebook Marketplace when he came across a 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom that had once belonged to Mary Ford. Ford was a singer and guitarist who, along with her husband Les Paul, was one of the most popular musical acts of the 1950s.

“I don’t really play the guitar but am interested in the instrument, so I look for old guitars on Facebook Marketplace occasionally. One day while browsing something caught my eye, it was a 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG Custom, and it had been owned by one Mary Ford… the Mary Ford guitar popped up in my search because the owner lives within five miles of my home! The owner lives in close by and is a guitar collector and local business owner.

I’m very familiar with the story of Les Paul and Mary Ford, they were musical superstars of their day back in the 1950’s with several #1 hits. Their story is quite interesting! I knew the guitar was significant in musical history and especially in Gibson’s history. Mark Agnesi was so nice and we enjoyed the Gibson tour so much that I immediately thought he’d be interested.  I tracked down his email and sent him the link to the owner’s contact information, he jumped on it right away.  The seller drove it down to Nashville and really enjoyed the experience.”

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It’s not every day that you stumble upon something as historic as this guitar, especially right after getting the behind the scenes tour at Gibson. To be able to play a part in returning that guitar to the brand for display in the Music City is truly special!

The guitar is now on display at the Gibson Garage, where it is a reminder of the company’s rich history and its association with some of the most important musicians of all time.

And in case you haven’t seen it, here’s a little video recap of our trip to Nashville and the Gibson Garage…

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New Mercury V10 Verados

There is a certain standard we hold ourselves to as Maine boatbuilders, and we have an expectation of quality and performance that must be met by every single component of every Back Cove that goes out the doors and into the hands of our owners… When our partners expect the same out of their own products, it leads to some very exciting opportunities to give owners an even better experience on the water! 

One of those opportunities has come in the form of the newly released engine option from our friends at Mercury Marine – The Mercury 5.7L V10 Verado outboards –  which continue the legendary Verado engine familyʼs legacy of providing premium marine performance. With the strength of the outboard segment’s first V10 naturally aspirated powerhead, they deliver extraordinary power and capabilities so you can confidently explore beyond the horizon. Take command of the water with innovative SmartCraft® technologies and advanced digital controls that make boating effortless. Exceptionally smooth, quiet, and refined, Verado outboards transform your boating experience.

And the best part is that these engines are now available on the Back Cove line of outboards, the award-winning 34O and 39O!

When Mercury Marine announced the outboard segment’s first V10 naturally aspirated powerhead, there was a ton of buzz around the idea of putting them on our own line of outboards. Last week, our team had the chance to sea trial the newest Back Cove 34O equipped with twin Mercury 5.7L V10 400hp Verados. The design and engineering crew headed out alongside the team of boatbuilders to ensure that everything met our standards, and the results were telling… let’s just say there is a lot of excitement around what they saw!

Some of the highlights of the Mercury V10 Verados include:

Effortless Operation
Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls deliver smooth, quiet shifting and instant throttle response with zero hesitation. You can further enhance handling and performance with available Electric Steering for multi-engine boats.
 
Exceptionally Smooth & Quiet
The rugged, refined Advanced MidSection (AMS) mounting system cradles the powerhead to isolate vibration. Industry-leading technologies minimize noise, vibration, and harshness and ensure the V10 Verado outboards deliver an unsurpassed boating experience that delights the senses without overpowering them. At idle, cruise, and wide-open throttle, they’re quieter than all other outboards in their class.
 
Adaptive Speed Control
The Adaptive Speed Control feature lets you maintain engine rpm despite changes in load or conditions. Climbing large swells is easier. Cruising at low speeds is smoother. Carving out tight turns is effortless.

Precision Gearcase
At high speeds, the hydrodynamic gearcase slips effortlessly through the water, maximizing efficiency and enhancing stability. At low speeds, its large-diameter Revolution X prop powerfully grips the water, giving you confident, authoritative handling around the docks while providing instant hole shots when it’s time to move.
 
Advanced Sound Control
Choose the sound that moves you with the industry-exclusive Advanced Sound Control feature. It lets you toggle between a whisper-quiet exhaust tone or a throatier growl at startup and idle for those times you truly want to hear the horsepower.

Lightweight & Efficient
Calibrated to deliver full performance on 87-octane fuel, with efficiency-enhancing features such as a closed-loop fuel system and Advanced Range Optimization (ARO) that help extend your range. A durable aluminum engine block and weight-saving cowl materials further enhance performance by minimizing weight on the transom.

Thrilling Speed & Acceleration
V10 Verado outboards shift your expectations of what high-horsepower performance feels like. They come to life with impressively responsive power, propelling you to sensational top speeds.

…and now with fully-electric power steering!

Electric Advantage
With no hydraulics, you get more space in the utility compartment of your boat and a cleaner transom installation. Electric Steering also minimizes noise and distraction – a meaningful benefit for Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) applications when the engines actively hold the boat in position or maneuver the vessel.

Power Savings
An efficient design consumes less than half the electrical power as electro-hydraulic steering, leaving more power for running your favorite onboard accessories.

And the best part is, you’re fully covered. Right down to the controls and gauges. When your builder or dealer uses genuine Mercury gauges and controls when installing a new engine(s) on your boat, the warranty coverage for those rigging components matches the total warranty of your engine.

The Mercury 5.7L V10 Verado outboards are offered on the Back Cove 34O and the Back Cove 39O

Learn more about the V10’s at mercurymarine.com/v10

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Rain or Shine, Newport Delivers

Once again, the 2022 Newport International Boat Show kicked off our fall boat show season, and as expected, it was a great time! 

We were welcomed to Newport for pre-show preparation by monsoon-like conditions. Our home for the week became waterfront property as the downpour combined with high tide led to flooding in the streets. Boat shows involve all sorts of moving parts, and a small delay can cause major challenges, so despite the weather, we met the elements head-on. 

Move-in went smoothly and all the boats made it into their positions. By the time we dried ourselves out the storms were moving out and the perfect New England fall weather was settling in for the weekend. 

Many hands do make light work… the Back Cove and Sabre display went up quickly with a team of folks from our dealer network helping out. From there, the team went through final preparation to ensure we were ready for the gates to open on show day #1. 

Each year, thousands of people make their way to Newport and down onto the docks to get a first-hand look at some of the best, highest-quality boats on the market. Our display featured a 3-model line-up, with the Back Cove 34O, 39O, and 372 on the docks. The clock hit 10:00am on Thursday morning and the first wave of attendees funneled down the ramp, many of whom made a beeline towards us. The traffic on the docks stayed steady all day. That evening, we hosted a get-together at the display, serving delicious charcuterie, good drinks, and great conversation amongst all those who attended. It was a treat to host such a wide variety of folks from the Back Cove & Sabre families. There were boat owners, dealers and brokers, vendor partners, friends, family, and more in attendance, and we’re so grateful for all who came out.

The display stayed busy over the course of the rest of the show. It was not uncommon to hear vocal appreciation of the boats, comments about the quality and craftsmanship as well as the practicality of the designs were echoed by many of the visitors. Hearing those things reaffirms that we have an incredibly talented and thoughtful team, and is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Another thing that sets this team apart is their commitment to growth, and that was demonstrated shortly after our return from the show. After the customary “How was the show?”, the follow-up questions from the team were focused on what feedback we heard about how we can get better. 

While we have another year until next year’s Newport show, we’re gearing up for the 2022 United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis, MD. You can find us on the F2 Docks from October 6th-9th, so if you’re in the area, please come and see us!

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1,000 Boats and Counting

Back Cove Yachts completed production on our 1000th yacht late last month, marking the latest in an impressive string of milestones.

Though we haven’t yet reached our 20th birthday, the Back Cove team’s artistry has led to a worldwide reputation as a manufacturer of elegant and seaworthy vessels. Despite a challenging fifteen-month period dominated by a public health crisis, a reduced workforce, and ongoing supply-chain interruptions, we are thrilled to be celebrating several important milestones.

After an initial pause in production due to a temporary mandated closure of our facility, our production team took up the task of building the prototype Back Cove 39O. Launched in the autumn of 2020, the 39O took the boating market by storm and has already won recognition as the quietest and fastest Back Cove to date. Our latest model will make her official global debut at the upcoming Newport International Boat Show in September, having made several regional premieres at limited-access events through the winter.

Late in 2020, we reached another landmark as we completed the 200th Back Cove 37. Following an uninterrupted run of more than eleven years, this ultra-popular model was due for a refresh and, after careful consideration of owner feedback, the redesigned Back Cove 372 was announced in March of 2021. The new 372 maintains all the best-loved features of the classic Back Cove 37 while incorporating cutting-edge materials and components that were unavailable ten years ago. She is expected to make her public debut at the 2021 United States Powerboat Show in Annapolis.

Early 2021 brought the next benchmark, as we finished the 100th Back Cove 41. Another long-time favorite among our customer family, the ongoing success of our inboard line speaks to the quality craftsmanship and nautically sensible design that forms the foundation of our product line. Since her launch in 2014, the Back Cove 41 has earned popularity among long-range cruisers and weekenders alike, and no wonder. Her single-engine straight-shaft propulsion achieves a 26+ knot cruise using just 28.6 gallons of diesel an hour, with a resultant range of 330 nautical miles.

Finally, in May of 2021, we completed our 1000th overall build with hull #005 of the Back Cove 39O. In some respects, reaching 1000 boats denotes another kind of milestone for our relatively young company. Back Cove Yachts may have begun in 2003 as a “little sister” to long-established Sabre Yachts, but our award-winning lineup of elegant and user-friendly Downeast yachts has earned an expansive family of loyal customers. With 1000 completed yachts under our collective belts, it’s safe to say Back Cove has established a legacy of our own.

Lamination supervisor, Dean Hale, had the following to say about the recent accomplishments:

“It has been truly amazing to see the growth and evolution of the boats we build. Every new model that has come out has brought something new to the shop and continues to be exciting. Having been with the company for ten years, I think it is amazing to see the progress and growth that we have had in such a short time.” – Dean Hale

Today, we celebrate that Back Cove Yachts has become a big name in the small world of luxury boatbuilders. Alongside our sister-brand, Sabre Yachts, we have the honor of employing more than 300 Maine craftspeople, from carpenters and composite technicians to mechanics and electricians, whose passion and talent are directly responsible for our ongoing success. We would also like to take this opportunity to offer our sincerest thanks to our network of dealerships, vendor partners, customers, and friends. The support of the extended Back Cove family is, without a doubt, the magic ingredient in our recent achievements and will undoubtedly be key to our future accomplishments.

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