hinckley yacht company sold

• MarketPlace
• Digital Archives
• Order A Copy

Hinckley Company sold

The Hinckley Company, iconic Maine boatbuilder of sail and power yachts, has been sold to private equity firm Scout Partners LLC. Phil Bennett, vice president of sales for Hinckley, confirmed the sale, which took place in January.

Founded in 1928, Hinckley builds its high-end boats at facilities in Trenton and Southwest Harbor, Maine. The company also owns eight service boatyards along the East Coast.

The new owners, Scout Partners, is a partnership between David Howe and Peterson Capital LLC, a private equity firm founded by former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Peter Peterson.

In 2008, according to the New York Times , Hinckley claimed revenue of about $100 million. That same year the company was forced to cut some 50 workers at its Trenton facility and another 56 workers in 2009. In May 2010 the company brought back nearly 100 workers in Trenton and another 35 in Southwest Harbor.

According to Howe, “We love the Hinckley brand, and plan to nurture it to preserve all that is Hinckley. We’re very excited about the future potential of the company, including the boatbuilding and service businesses.”

In a press release Hinckley Company CEO James McManus said, “2010 was a significant rebound year for the company. New boat sales were strong and continue to show momentum. We’re excited to have new ownership partners that are committed to building the Hinckley business and that share a passion for the Hinckley brand.”

By Ocean Navigator

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Debt Trips Up Hinckley, Venerable Yacht Maker

By Geraldine Fabrikant

• Oct. 9, 2009

SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Me. — David Rockefeller Sr. ordered a new boat last year, a $3 million 55-foot powerboat.

Mr. Rockefeller, now 94 years old, may not have needed a new boat. It was, after all, the sixth he has bought from Hinckley Yachts in Southwest Harbor. But Hinckley Yachts and its workers certainly needed the order — and providing them with work was part of Mr. Rockefeller’s motivation, his spokesman said.

Hinckley — which has been making boats since 1928 and is known for classically designed, beautifully constructed sailboats as well as sleek, easy-to-maneuver powerboats — is under financial pressure. It has significantly reduced its work force — from about 625 employees at its peak in mid-2008 to 305 at the end of August. The layoffs, in turn, have affected Southwest Harbor businesses, some locals say.

Like other yacht makers, Hinckley lost substantial business when the economy turned sour. But Hinckley’s problems can also be traced to its sale to one, and then another, private equity firm over the last dozen years. With each sale, it took on more debt, which became onerous when business slowed. And the culture also shifted from a family-owned business to one controlled by outsiders.

Beginning early this decade, near the peak of demand, private equity buyers poured money into yachting, convinced — wrongly, it turned out — that the business could weather any economic storms because its wealthy clients would continue to buy. Several other boat makers have run into problems, including Ferretti of Italy and the MasterCraft Boat Company of Vonore, Tenn.

Hinckley may well survive this downturn, thanks to a strong brand name nurtured over decades of Hinckley family ownership and a loyal clientele, some of whom spend their summers near Bar Harbor.

James P. McManus, who was hired as Hinckley’s chief executive two years ago by Monitor Clipper Partners, the private equity firm that now controls the company, declined to comment on Hinckley’s finances.

In the meantime, some of Hinckley’s critics say, the constant pressure on the bottom line by the new owners has left some employees feeling that management misunderstands the customers and the employees. “If they had not had that debt, we could have weathered this,” said Ruth Brunetti, who, during a 20-year career at the company, was chief financial officer, treasurer and contracts negotiator. She was dismissed in July. “We have suffered from a double impact: the economic downturn and corporate greed.”

Some companies are still profitable. Sabre Yachts, a boat maker owned by the entrepreneur Daniel Zilkha, “will be profitable despite a substantial drop in sales, because it carries no debt,” Mr. Zilkha said.

Because Hinckley is privately held, it does not release details about its profits and losses. But according to people close to the company, Hinckley’s revenue in 2008 was roughly $100 million and taxable income was about $4 million. But this year, for the first time since the mid-1990s, it will have a taxable loss of about $4 million, they said. Several people close to the company estimate that revenue this year could fall to $50 million to $75 million.

Buyers certainly pulled back — unwilling or unable to pay $900,000 to $4 million for Hinckley’s sailboats or $400,000 to $3 million for its powerboats. In the spring, only three boats were under construction at Hinckley’s main manufacturing plant in Trenton, Me., including Mr. Rockefeller’s. In an interview, Mr. McManus said he was optimistic about the company’s future. He said orders had begun to return, and he planned to bring back 85 employees this month. Buyers are not the only customers in retreat. Hinckley also services and stores boats, and a boat restoration can cost as much as $150,000. “But now people are not spending for that work,” said one former Hinckley employee who did not want to be identified as talking about the company.

“One customer with a 92-foot sailboat was going to spend $2 million to refit it, but he canceled that order,” this person said. “That would have kept somewhere near 25 people busy for six to eight months.”

Bob Hinckley — the grandson of the founder, Benjamin Hinckley — who ran the company with his partner, Shepard McKenney, from 1982 until it was sold in 1997, has fond memories. “I worked there as a kid,” he recalled. “We always built a high-quality product,” he went on. “We used wild teak, not plantation teak even though it costs two to three times as much. We used a great deal of varnish. It took us about 10 months to build a 50-foot sailboat.”

Mr. Hinckley was running the company in the early 1990s, when the government levied a 10 percent luxury tax on yachts and orders fell. “It was brutal,” Mr. Hinckley recalled. “Wealthy people don’t like to be taxed on their hobby.”

Still management shared the pain with employees. “We cut our own salaries in half and asked employees to take a 10 percent pay cut across the board,” Mr. Hinckley said. Guy Dunbar, a former production manager who now owns Dunbar Real Estate in Southwest Harbor, recalled that “after a year, they paid us the difference.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Hinckley went overseas and sold boats to Germans and Japanese for whom the luxury tax was not an issue. “We never leveraged up the company,” Mr. Hinckley said. “We paid down loans. When we sold the company, it had just $1 million in debt.” Bain Willard Companies, a Boston-based private equity firm, was the first buyer, 12 years ago. It paid about $20 million, equal to about one year in sales, putting down about 25 percent in cash and borrowing the rest, according to several people with knowledge of the negotiations.

And Bain Willard had the wind at its back. Hinckley had introduced the “picnic” boat not long before — a luxurious powerboat that combined the look of a New England lobster boat with a water jet propulsion system, instead of a propeller, that allowed the boat to maneuver in shallow water. It had been an instant hit.

Bain Willard expanded Hinckley, opening service centers in Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island and other places. In those boom times, the strategy paid off. In 2001, it sold about 51 percent of Hinckley to Monitor Clipper of Boston for an estimated $40 million in debt and equity. Bain Willard executives could not be reached for comment, and Monitor Clipper declined to comment.

But after Sept. 11, 2001, and the start of war in Iraq, boat buyers became nervous and growth stalled. In 2005, Hinckley sold its real estate across the country, raising enough money to pay down much of its debt, according to a person with knowledge of the company’s finances. It leased back the land, replacing interest payments with rent payments. Its revenue recovered in 2006 and 2007 before the economy weakened.

The company has begun to monitor its cash flows aggressively. “We have always watched over receivables,” Ms. Brunetti said. But this went further, she said.

One owner, who has had a number of Hinckleys, said he had a lien on his boats for several thousand dollars in storage fees after doing business with Hinckley for years. And a former employee said: “If a customer was 30 days behind on payments, we had to call. It was just not the way we had done business.”

But Mr. McManus countered that asking customers to pay what they owed was simply good business and that relations with clients were good. Still, in a business that deals with the superwealthy, that aggressiveness can antagonize important customers, several former employees said.

In Ms. Brunetti’s opinion, “Today, people are worried about doing business with Hinckley because of the monetary situation and their reputation for how they treat their customers,” she said. “That has taken a toll.”

Hinckley’s problems have also taken a toll on its hometown.

Leslie McEachern, the owner of McEachern & Hutchins, a hardware business his family has owned for six decades, said: “Hinckley was a good business in the area. They employed a lot of people. Unemployed people don’t spend money, and all the businesses around here are feeling it.”

Ms. Brunetti said: “What upsets me is that this is a small town. Lots of people who really loved the company got hurt.”

Explore Our Business and Tech Coverage

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping the worlds of business and technology..

Microsoft’s A.I. Risk-Taker: Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s chief executive, sees the A.I. boom as an all-in moment for his company .

Doomsday Profits: The entrepreneur Drew Miller is promoting timeshares in a survivalist compound  to those worried about the end of the world.

Elon Musk’s Mars Colony: The tech billionaire has directed employees at SpaceX, his rocket company, to drill into the design and details of a Martian city. Here’s what’s being discussed .

Saudi Money in Video Games: For struggling American video game companies, Saudi Arabia’s investments in the industry have been hard to resist. Not all gamers are happy about it .

Enter the Burnout Coach: As chronic work stress climbs, entrepreneurs are finding opportunities in the burgeoning space of burnout coaching .

The New York Times

Dealbook | debt weighs on hinckley, venerable yacht maker.

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Investment Banking
• Private Equity
• Hedge Funds
• I.P.O./Offerings
• Venture Capital
• Legal/Regulatory

Debt Weighs on Hinckley, Venerable Yacht Maker

David Rockefeller Sr. ordered a new boat last year, a $3 million 55-foot powerboat. Mr. Rockefeller, now 94 years old, may not have needed a new boat. It was, after all, the sixth he has bought from Hinckley Yachts in Southwest Harbor, Me. But Hinckley Yachts and its workers certainly needed the order — and providing them with work was part of Mr. Rockefeller’s motivation, his spokesman said.

Hinckley — which has been making boats since 1928 and is known for classically designed, beautifully constructed sailboats as well as sleek, easy-to-maneuver powerboats — is under financial pressure, The New York Times’s Geraldine Fabrikant writes. It has significantly reduced its work force — from about 625 employees at its peak in mid-2008 to 305 at the end of August. The layoffs, in turn, have affected Southwest Harbor businesses, some locals say.

Like other yacht makers, Hinckley lost substantial business when the economy turned sour. But Hinckley’s problems can also be traced to its sale to one, and then another, private equity firm over the last dozen years. With each sale, it took on more debt, which became onerous when business slowed. And the culture also shifted from a family-owned business to one controlled by outsiders.

Beginning early this decade, near the peak of demand, private equity buyers poured money into yachting, convinced — wrongly, it turned out — that the business could weather any economic storms because its wealthy clients would continue to buy. Several other boat makers have run into problems, including Ferretti of Italy and the MasterCraft Boat Company of Vonore, Tenn.

Hinckley may well survive this downturn, thanks to a strong brand name nurtured over decades of Hinckley family ownership and a loyal clientele, some of whom spend their summers near Bar Harbor.

James P. McManus, who was hired as Hinckley’s chief executive two years ago by Monitor Clipper Partners , the private equity firm that now controls the company, declined to comment on Hinckley’s finances.

In the meantime, some of Hinckley’s critics say, the constant pressure on the bottom line by the new owners has left some employees feeling that management misunderstands the customers and the employees. “If they had not had that debt, we could have weathered this,” said Ruth Brunetti, who, during a 20-year career at the company, was chief financial officer, treasurer and contracts negotiator. She was dismissed in July. “We have suffered from a double impact: the economic downturn and corporate greed.”

Some companies are still profitable. Sabre Yachts , a boat maker owned by the entrepreneur Daniel Zilkha, “will be profitable despite a substantial drop in sales, because it carries no debt,” Mr. Zilkha said.

Because Hinckley is privately held, it does not release details about its profits and losses. But according to people close to the company, Hinckley’s revenue in 2008 was roughly $100 million and taxable income was about $4 million. But this year, for the first time since the mid-1990s, it will have a taxable loss of about $4 million, they said. Several people close to the company estimate that revenue this year could fall to $50 million to $75 million.

Buyers certainly pulled back — unwilling or unable to pay $900,000 to $4 million for Hinckley’s sailboats or $400,000 to $3 million for its powerboats. In the spring, only three boats were under construction at Hinckley’s main manufacturing plant in Trenton, Me., including Mr. Rockefeller’s. In an interview, Mr. McManus said he was optimistic about the company’s future. He said orders had begun to return, and he planned to bring back 85 employees this month. Buyers are not the only customers in retreat. Hinckley also services and stores boats, and a boat restoration can cost as much as $150,000. “But now people are not spending for that work,” said one former Hinckley employee who did not want to be identified as talking about the company.

“One customer with a 92-foot sailboat was going to spend $2 million to refit it, but he canceled that order,” this person said. “That would have kept somewhere near 25 people busy for six to eight months.”

Bob Hinckley — the grandson of the founder, Benjamin Hinckley — who ran the company with his partner, Shepard McKenney, from 1982 until it was sold in 1997, has fond memories. “I worked there as a kid,” he recalled. “We always built a high-quality product,” he went on. “We used wild teak, not plantation teak even though it costs two to three times as much. We used a great deal of varnish. It took us about 10 months to build a 50-foot sailboat.”

Mr. Hinckley was running the company in the early 1990s, when the government levied a 10 percent luxury tax on yachts and orders fell. “It was brutal,” Mr. Hinckley recalled. “Wealthy people don’t like to be taxed on their hobby.”

Still management shared the pain with employees. “We cut our own salaries in half and asked employees to take a 10 percent pay cut across the board,” Mr. Hinckley said. Guy Dunbar, a former production manager who now owns Dunbar Real Estate in Southwest Harbor, recalled that “after a year, they paid us the difference.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Hinckley went overseas and sold boats to Germans and Japanese for whom the luxury tax was not an issue. “We never leveraged up the company,” Mr. Hinckley said. “We paid down loans. When we sold the company, it had just $1 million in debt.” Bain Willard Companies, a Boston-based private equity firm, was the first buyer, 12 years ago. It paid about $20 million, equal to about one year in sales, putting down about 25 percent in cash and borrowing the rest, according to several people with knowledge of the negotiations.

And Bain Willard had the wind at its back. Hinckley had introduced the “picnic” boat not long before — a luxurious powerboat that combined the look of a New England lobster boat with a water jet propulsion system, instead of a propeller, that allowed the boat to maneuver in shallow water. It had been an instant hit.

Bain Willard expanded Hinckley, opening service centers in Florida, Maryland, Rhode Island and other places. In those boom times, the strategy paid off. In 2001, it sold about 51 percent of Hinckley to Monitor Clipper of Boston for an estimated $40 million in debt and equity. Bain Willard executives could not be reached for comment, and Monitor Clipper declined to comment.

But after Sept. 11, 2001, and the start of war in Iraq, boat buyers became nervous and growth stalled. In 2005, Hinckley sold its real estate across the country, raising enough money to pay down much of its debt, according to a person with knowledge of the company’s finances. It leased back the land, replacing interest payments with rent payments. Its revenue recovered in 2006 and 2007 before the economy weakened.

The company has begun to monitor its cash flows aggressively. “We have always watched over receivables,” Ms. Brunetti said. But this went further, she said.

One owner, who has had a number of Hinckleys, said he had a lien on his boats for several thousand dollars in storage fees after doing business with Hinckley for years. And a former employee said: “If a customer was 30 days behind on payments, we had to call. It was just not the way we had done business.”

But Mr. McManus countered that asking customers to pay what they owed was simply good business and that relations with clients were good. Still, in a business that deals with the superwealthy, that aggressiveness can antagonize important customers, several former employees said.

In Ms. Brunetti’s opinion, “Today, people are worried about doing business with Hinckley because of the monetary situation and their reputation for how they treat their customers,” she said. “That has taken a toll.”

Hinckley’s problems have also taken a toll on its hometown.

Leslie McEachern, the owner of McEachern & Hutchins, a hardware business his family has owned for six decades, said: “Hinckley was a good business in the area. They employed a lot of people. Unemployed people don’t spend money, and all the businesses around here are feeling it.”

Ms. Brunetti said: “What upsets me is that this is a small town. Lots of people who really loved the company got hurt.”

Go to Article from The New York Times »

Comments are no longer being accepted.

What's Next

Find anything you save across the site in your account

The History of Hinckley Yachts Chronicled in a Lush New Monograph

Anybody who has sailed Eggemoggin Reach in Maine’s Penobscot Bay or sat at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse to watch boats come into Portland Harbor knows the excitement of spotting a Hinckley yacht. It is a point of pride for native, as well as aspiring, Mainers that these beautiful crafts are still made in Southwest Harbor, where the company was founded in 1928. But Hinckley’s appeal reaches far wider than a single state. The boatbuilder’s exceptionally well designed and technically advanced vessels are sought after around the world by racers and recreational sailors alike.

Nick Voulgaris III, author of the new book Hinckley Yachts: An American Icon ( Rizzoli , $65), purchased a 1968 Hinckley Bermuda 40 yawl in 2006 and embarked on a stem-to-stern restoration. In the process of taking apart his boat, he became obsessed with the firm that designed it. Established by Henry R. Hinckley, whose family owned a summer house on Mt. Desert Island, the company started out making motorboats and then added sailing models in 1938.

The Hinckley Co. expanded quickly during World War II, building various watercrafts for the war effort, and then resumed production of recreational vessels in the late 1940s. Voulgaris has unearthed many photographs and documents about the firm’s early years and used them to piece together an illuminating narrative about the evolution of an important American brand. For nautical newcomers, the volume offers a primer on the world of fine boatbuilding; for aficionados, it provides fascinating details about Hinckley’s many technological advances, races won, and extraordinary track record making new models that become instant sensations.

Voulgaris enlisted some well-known Hinckley owners to contribute essays to the book, including banker and philanthropist David Rockefeller (his most recent Hinckley is a Talaria 55), Condé Nast CEO Chuck Townsend (who owns a 36 Picnic Boat), and magazine publisher and TV personality Martha Stewart (who also has a 36 Picnic Boat). Each expresses admiration for Hinckley boats and for the skill and ingenuity of the craftspeople who make them. It’s a common refrain, writes Voulgaris. Even though the company has only produced around 2,500 vessels in its 85-year history, the boats attract outsize devotion. As he notes, “Hinckley owners often refer to themselves as ‘stewards’ of these fine craft, preserving them for the next individual to hold the proverbial keys.”

Search form

The Hinckley Company’s War Boat Production

USCG Picket Boats:

Hinckley’s first government contract was for 20 38' WWII Cabin picket boats for the U.S. Coast Guard; over the next two years he received contracts to build an additional 73. The design, which was based on New Jersey’s historic Sea Bright skiffs, was standardized by the U.S. Coast Guard, and about 540 were built between 1932 and 1943 by various yards along the East Coast. Originally launched and retrieved between beach and breaking surf, Sea Bright skiffs could be rowed or sailed. When engines became common in small craft, it was found that the flat bottom plank keel and square transom of the skiff design made a good planing hull that could slide onto beaches, although it also offered a rough ride offshore. The hollow “box keel” allowed engine installation to be horizontal, promoting a low center of gravity with no power lost due to the down-angle in the drive train.     

The 38' picket boat had a displacement of 15,700 pounds, a beam of 10.33', a draft of 3', a fuel capacity of 240 gallons, and a range of 175 miles. Power came from 6-cylinder Hall Scott, Sterling, or Murray engines, or from 225-hp Kermath engines; top speed was 20-25 knots. Some picket boats during the war were armed with small 25-lb. depth charges and Marlin machine guns. They were also assigned anti-submarine missions, anti-submarine net checks, frogmen patrols, crash boat work, and sunken ship rescue work.

US Army MT and MTL Class Marine Tractors:

The U.S. Army placed orders with 41 civilian yards on both coasts and the Great Lakes to build 1,251 wooden MT and MTL Class marine tractors during the war. The MT Class Motor Towboats, also called Motor Tow Yawls or Sea Mules, were either 26' or 36' LOA. The Hinckley company built 253 of the 26' MT Class and an additional 64 motor mine yawls that used the same hull design. These MT and MTL harbor boats have not been widely recognized in lists of watercraft used in WWII, but photographs of the Hinckley company’s substantial effort in producing the 26' MT tugs and 46 of the 46' MTL tugs for the war effort between early 1941 and the end of 1944 are archived at the Southwest Harbor Public Library.

According to a 1944 U.S. Army field manual, the marine tractors were used to ferry cargo to shore from freighters and transports arriving in theaters of operation. “Cargo from the ships is loaded by Transportation Corps port company personnel onto barges. Then tugs, tow boats, or marine tractors propelled the barges to the shore for unloading. Any cargo too heavy for the vessel’s gear to lift is handled by a 60-ton floating crane,” according to the manual.

Hinckley also built 42 of the 46/47' MTLs. These had a displacement of 10,000 lbs., a beam of 12', a draft of 30", and a fuel capacity of 240 gallons. A 180 hp Consolidated Speedway MR-6 six-cylinder gasoline engine, or similar powerplant, provided power. Many of these tugs were used in China to tow river barges.

The only other Maine yard known to have built the MTL Class was the Stonington Yacht Basin which constructed 19 of them. The Stonington yard later became what is now Billings Diesel & Marine, Inc.

Roger Moody is a retired Maine municipal manager and county commissioner who writes about boats and boating history.

Related Articles

Share this article:

Digital Edition Available ×

Can't get to the store to buy your magazine? We deliver the stories of Maine's coast right to your inbox. Sign up here for a digital edition .

2023 Maine Boat & Home Show ×

Join Us for the Maine Boat & Home Show !

Art, Artisans, Food, Fun & Boats, Boats, Boats

August 11 - 13, 2023 | On the waterfront, Rockland, Maine

Click here to pre-order your tickets.

Show is produced by Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors magazine.

Hinckley Yachts

Hinckley yachts for sale.

The Hinckley Company started in 1928 as the Manset Boatyard in Southwest Harbor, Maine. Henry R. Hinckley’s focus was on servicing the local lobster boats as well as the yachts of summer residents on Mt. Desert Island. In 1933 Henry built his first boat, Ruthyeolyn, a 36-foot fisherman with beautiful lines that are surprisingly familiar and still look the part even today.

That first boat was fished hard for 9 months of the year and then varnished up and chartered in the summer months to vacationers. From the very beginning, the yachts from the Hinckley yard were kept to the highest standards.

Models Recently added hulls

Barry and Bob Hinckley

About The Hinckley Owner's Club

This site is offered as a free service the the Hinckley Owner’s Community. It has been built and designed as the official Hinckley Boat Building Family Alumni Association, by Barry Hinckley.  *** There is no present Hinckley Family affiliation with current ownership of  Hinckley Yachts, Inc. or related companies***which the family sold to a private equity firm in 1997. This site is for Hinckley owners, employees, fans, and alumni to interact share photos and memories about the boats, we all love. If a cat has 9 lives, a Hinckley has more as it passes from family to family over the years.

We also display Hinckley’s that are for sale, as Barry makes his living selling and insuring Hinckley’s. If you would like us to list your Hinckley, please contact us and we will feature it on the site.  We will shortly be adding a FSBO option, so stay tuned for that!

Barry Hinckley, a Yacht Broker specializing in used Hinckley’s and marine insurance and yacht management. Barry runs this site and records many of the Hinckley’s he encounters on his day-today travels in the world of Hinckley Yachts. Feel free to book a free 30 minute marine consult with Barry if you are interested in buying or selling a Hinckley or need management help.  Presently Barry is the only member of the Hinckley Family working in the Marine business.

How to use the Site:

To enjoy and contribute to the site, please create an account and sign up for whatever categories you qualify. It could be simply “owner” but with many people it may be also, “employee”, “captain”, Fan, etc. The site is in beta and we are adding new functionality as we get feedback, so feel free to send it in…

When adding a hull to a model, please make sure if possible the first image that you upload is “landscape” view if possible, this will make it display better with all the other hulls of that model type. You can also add or “claim” an existing hull if you did not own it, but stating you either sailed on it, worked on it or helped build it. You can watch our videos on Youtube @Hinckleyclub

Enjoy the site and feel free to contact Barry if you have any questions @ 954-952-5429 or schedule a time by using the link below.

Click here to choose a time to speak with Barry about a Hinckley

Hinckley's For Sale

Thc29048f303 blessed, thc4x017j122 another spin, thc29096h404 knot again, thc35009d222 bella, thc55009h506 sapphire ii, thc4s002c919 aequoris ii, browse various hinckley's by model, 36 picnic boat classic, picnic boat 37 s.

See more boats

Recently Added Hinckley's

Thc29048f303, thc4x017j122, thc29096h404, thc35009d222, thc55009h506, thc4s002c919.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

• Link to search page
• US: +1 (561) 833 4462
• US: +1 (206) 209-1920
• MC: +377 99 90 74 63

Hinckley Yachts for Sale

ABOUT HINCKLEY YACHTS

Hinckley yachts epitomize quality and elegance focusing on function, speed, and stamina. The Hinckley name is synonymous with quality, strength, and seaworthiness. Exceptional craftsmanship with a simple, elegant beauty that turns heads at every harbor.

HISTORY OF HINCKLEY YACHTS

Hinckley Yachts began in 1928 in Southwest Harbor, Maine, servicing local lobster boats and yachts owned by summer residents in Mt. Desert Island.  Five years later, founder Henry Hinckley built his first boat, a 36-foot beauty with lines that are still familiar today.

Hinckley’s focus on high standards soon had them designing and fabricating their own hardware, a testament to their desire to produce the highest quality boat possible. The graceful lines and glistening brightwork made these yachts distinctive and that tradition carries on today. While beautiful, these yachts have their foundation based solidly on function giving them strength, stability, and maneuverability in rough seas.

SHIPYARD LOCATION

Currently, Hinckley has eight locations in Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Georgia, and Florida with over a dozen more authorized service locations worldwide. Production lines range from 34ft /10.36m to 55ft / 16.81m.

HINCKLEY SHIPYARD’S CURRENT MODELS

Motor Yachts:

Picnic boat 34 S

Picnic Boat 37 S

Picnic Boat 40 S

Sport Boat 40C

Sport Boat 40X

Talaria 48 MKII

Sailing Yachts:

Sou’wester 53

RECENT LAUNCHES

Hinckley 35

Hunt Ocean 63

A pioneer in the use of fiberglass boat building, Hinckley began building boats with the material in the 1950s. Fiberglass enabled them to save weight and add strength. An added benefit was that it allowed the boats to retain their sweeping lines that people had come to know and love. Fast forward to 1994 and the same thinking allowed Hinckley to make the switch to using Kevlar and carbon fiber from stern to bow. Unique Hinckley features include JetStick 3, Heading Hold, and Dynamic Steering.

PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY

As one of the first American builders to adopt SCRIMP (Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process) resin infusion, Hinckley remains a world leader. Additionally, they are the only builder using Carbon and Kevlar composite from bow to stern vacuum infused with epoxy and Hinckley is unique in guaranteeing their hulls and decks for life. This focus on materials and engineering applies to both their motor yachts and their sailing yachts.

Hinckley yachts are powered by water jets for efficiency and maneuverability. Jet propulsion provides unrivaled handling and is considered the best possible mechanical configuration for joystick applications. Hinckley uses jet propulsion, allowing their boats to operate in very shallow areas or water with excessive debris such as lobster pots due to their lack of appendages below the waterline.  Hinckley’s implementation of JetStick 3 brings military-grade GPS hardware and digital processing to their yachts.

For More information on Hinckley Yachts, Hinckley yachts for sale or to list your used Hinkley boat for sale with Worth Avenue Yachts, email the team or call 561.833.4462.

View yacht ZANETIA, available for sale

ZANETIA , yacht for sale

View yacht Sapphire II, available for sale

Sapphire II , yacht for sale

View yacht NIGHT TRAIN, available for sale

NIGHT TRAIN , yacht for sale

View yacht AIRBORNE, available for sale

AIRBORNE , yacht for sale

View yacht TRILLIUM, available for sale

TRILLIUM , yacht for sale

View yacht ELISE, available for sale

ELISE , yacht for sale

View yacht URBAN, available for sale

URBAN , yacht for sale

View yacht LITTLE PRIZE, available for sale

LITTLE PRIZE , yacht for sale

Hinckley models.

51 , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Picnic Boat Classic , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Sou'wester 59 CC Sloop , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Sou'wester Sloop , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Sou'wester Sloop C/B , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Talaria 34 Picnic Boat , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Talaria 40 , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Talaria 55 FB , yachts for sale by Hinckley

Can't find what you're looking for contact a broker for information about off-market hinckley yachts for sale., frequently asked questions, which hinckley models do you currently have available for purchase.

We currently have a range of HINCKLEY models available for purchase including: 51 , Picnic Boat Classic , Sou'wester 59 CC Sloop , Sou'wester Sloop , Sou'wester Sloop C/B , Talaria 34 Picnic Boat , Talaria 40 , Talaria 55 FB .

The availability of HINCKLEY models changes frequently. If there is a specific HINCKLEY model you are looking for then don't hesitate to contact us!

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• About The Boat
• Boat Review Forum
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Is this a real Hinckley?

• Add to quote

I am poorly knowledgeable on all the facts surrounding the Hinkleys, but as I recall the father went out of business and the son (Hinkley Jr) bought it. He produced a line of boats with varying quality. I believe that he then went out of business and the other brother picked it ujp or something like that (where it is today). This is a really bad history, sorry, and is more hear-say than anything. I have heard that the true quality of the boats varied depending on the ownership. Some of the early 80's will also have Mercedes Diesels which had issues (parts availability not being the least of them). The reason I know some of this is I just had a talk with a friend that cruised on his Hink in the Caribbean for about 3 years and he quickly gave me some of the history... of which I have probably screwed a bunch of it up. I believe his was an early 80's model. He said it was very tender and was squirelly when running (though a beautiful boat inside). However, he seemed to feel the design of the boat was much more for coastal/day sailing than offshore cruising and he had to make many modifications to make it work, including throwing considerable weight in the bilge for stability. - CD  

I believe that they were designed by Hank Hinckley Jr. and built by Ellsworth Maine . Marketed under the Brand name OCEAN CRUISING YACHTS.  

An OC is not a Hinckley Hinckleys come in Pilots (35 ft), Bermuda 40, Southwest 42, a 43 with more competitve design, 49, Southwest 50-51 and 52 plus a 59, now up to 70: all in fiberglass and built with handcrafted wood interiors in ash, mahogany and cherry wood with substantial exterior teak and Hinckley designed and manufactured stainless steel rigging,etc. As a 20 year owner of a 1967 B-40 aft cabin, they are stable, solid, reliable and great to go to into any weather. A Hinckley is not a clorox bottle, but a finely made yacht, classically pleasing to the eye when maintained. The OC is not a Hinckley since it was not built by The Hinckley Company in Southwest Harbor, Maine. I believe it is correct that a member of the Hinckley family departed from the Family Business and created the OC with the benefit of clear knowledge of his Family's accomplsihments. With Picnic boats, Talarias and other power boats now an major part of The Hinckley Company line, Pilots and B-40s are no longer made. And the family company was corporately purchased maybe 10 years ago and still retains its excellent customer support to Hinckley owners with locations beyond Maine in Rhode ialnd, Annapolis, and South Florida, maybe other locations as well. I have called The Hinckley Company over the years with questions about this and that. And found friendly and professional support available to support my now 42 year old yacht. They even still have a copy of her drawings as one of 5 aft cabin yawls. So even though an OC was created by a member of the Hinckley family, in buying a Hinckley, one can get substantial knowledge and support for one of their yachts from the home office. I dare say, you may wish to check out what support OC provides. I speculate not much. Hinckleys are much more than a pretty boat, they are well found, well designed and when maintained, an incredibly safe yacht in any weather. So if you like the OC, just make sure you and your broker are not confusing an OC for a Hinckley, or you may well pay too much. And there was a 30' wooden sloop that preceded the innovation into fiberglass by The Hinckley Company prior to the mid-50's. Hope this helps  

arja said: Hinckleys come in Pilots (35 ft), Bermuda 40, Southwest 42, a 43 with more competitve design, 49, Southwest 50-51 and 52 plus a 59, now up to 70: all in fiberglass and built with handcrafted wood interiors in ash, mahogany and cherry wood with substantial exterior teak and Hinckley designed and manufactured stainless steel rigging, ... ?!... etc. ... So even though an OC was created by a member of the Hinckley family, in buying a Hinckley, one can get substantial knowledge and support for one of their yachts from the home office. I dare say, you may wish to check out what support OC provides. I speculate not much. ...or too much... Hinkleys are much more than a pretty boat, they are well found, well designed and when maintained, an incredibly safe yacht in any weather. So if you like the OC, just make sure you and your broker are not confusing an OC for a Hinckley, or you may well pay too much. And there was a 30' wooden sloop that preceded the innovation into fiberglass by The Hinckley Company prior to the mid-50's. Hope this helps Click to expand...

Hank Hinckley spun off from the family to build boats of high quality at a lower price then a true Hinckley. If I recall I believe around a dozen or so boats were delivered from 39-52'. I looked at a OC40 while searching for our current boat, and while the workmanship was good, I felt the asking price at that time was too inflated. We also found the interior, like the B-40 to be too small without a quarterberth. http: Hank Hinkley Yachts  

While not a true Hinckley, they are well made boats, though I never liked the pinched stern treatment of the 40'. I think Hank Hinckley designed the boat himself, where most of the other Hinckley models have impressive design pedigrees: Sparkman & Stephens (Pilot 35), Bill Tripp (B-40 & H48), Ted Hood (H43), McCurdy & Rhodes (SW-42, 43, 51, 52, 59) and Bruce King (SW-70). If the boat is well maintained and the price is good, it may be a good value, provided that is the kind of boat you're looking for. Like most old-school boats, these will have small interiors for their LOA relative to modern boats, but will sail well and have a nice motion. If you're serious, you need to look at the boat, spend a couple of hours aboard, crawl thru the unfinished spaces like cockpit lockers and check the workmanship. Sit in the cockpit and lean against the cabintop. Is it the right angle for you or the bride to read a book? T37's link has lots of good info, there was also a review of one of the OC40 in Nautical Quarterly many years ago. I know I have the article somewhere, PM me if you want it.  

Thanks for all the info - so not a REAL HINCKLEY . I will bear all of the above in mind if we go and look at it. We are looking for a liveaboard cruising boat, something with a little style not a vanilla job.  

The OC's While the Hank Hinckley Ocean Cruising Yachts are very fine boats, built to a much higher standard than most, they are not a "Hinckley". I spent a great deal of time at Hinckley when they were still pumping out a fair number of sailboats as a friend worked there. The robust quality of construction and level of attention to detail in a Hinckley is, in my estimation, rarely equaled anywhere on the planet, except for down the street at Morris. Morris builds a beautiful boat too and there are a few European builders doing a similar level but the OC's are just not to that level IMHO but still EXCELLENT. I've been on many Hinckley's and two OC's so I have had a chance to compare both. The SW 42 sails like a dream, though it can be a tad wet, the OC 42 while nice does not have the sailing qualities of the SW 42. If you've ever seen how Hinckley's are built, up close and personal, compared to other builders, you'd understand. Don't get me wrong the OC's are top notch just not "THE" top notch IMHO. P.S. How many builders do you know that let a master varnisher spend 320 man hours just on a master state room...?? I'll give you a hint it was not OCY..  

kinda sorta but not with same logo Not a Hinckley but a very well built sailing yacht. The Hinckley company was sold to a Canadian furniture maker and the sons split off parts of the business. Bob took the insurance and brokerage and Henry the third started a competing building, service etc company called Ocean Cruising Yachts. It was up the road in Bar Harbor and employed many of Hinckley's top craftsman. That area has many boat builders and each experienced good and bad times and the work force would shuffle between each for more competitive wages. OCY built approximately: 1 37 foot power boat, cold molder for a yachtman that was head of the 12 meter Intrepid syndicate for the America's Cup 1 38 custom one off, for the owner of Alden Yachts 1 39 footer for a very experienced yachtsman whose father in law put the first aluminum mast in a large racer/cruiser sailboat and had 22 other major designs. 9 40 footers 8 42 footers 1 51 custom Bill Cook designed racer cruiser. 2 52 footers to Bill Cook designs The workers at OCY went back to Hinckleys when the company closed its doors as head of Service, head of mechanical dept, head varnisher etc at Hinckleys. A shame when you consider the quality that was produced. Comparing the fit and finish of these boats to Hinckleys are a comparable dateline they were superior. The Hinckley company is still the standard but OCY pushed that standard and made Hinckley better. I believe a few were made after the Bar Harbor plant closed in Ellsworth, Maine. A Canadian firm boat the tooling and also built some at a later date.  

Woodman said: Not a Hinckley but a very well built sailing yacht. ... OCY built approximately: 1 37 foot power boat, cold molder for a yachtman that was head of the 12 meter Intrepid syndicate for the America's Cup 1 38 custom one off, for the owner of Alden Yachts 1 39 footer for a very experienced yachtsman whose father in law put the first aluminum mast in a large racer/cruiser sailboat and had 22 other major designs. 9 40 footers 8 42 footers 1 51 custom Bill Cook designed racer cruiser. 2 52 footers to Bill Cook designs The workers at OCY went back to Hinckleys when the company closed its doors as head of Service, head of mechanical dept, head varnisher etc at Hinckleys. A shame when you consider the quality that was produced. Comparing the fit and finish of these boats to Hinckleys are a comparable dateline they were superior. The Hinckley company is still the standard but OCY pushed that standard and made Hinckley better. ... Click to expand...

Attachments

The Thomas Knutson Shipyard also built some Pilot 35's for Hinckley out of wood, prior to Hinckley going to fiberglass. Knutson continued building the pilots in wood according to S&S design 539 in both sloop and yawl versions. Oh Joy is a one off Pilot 35 yawl originally built for the Great Lakes charter trade with a detachable staysail stay and bowsprit.  

I knew about Hinckley quality mostly from reading about them - they are very uncommon around here. I finally saw one - a Bermuda 40 - in the flesh, but only from the dock. It was not a loaded up one - no teak decks etc. and it was a bit neglected but the quality shone through. THEN - we went sailing in the BVI and saw a number of them, all over and in flawless condition - WOW did they stand out in the charterboat filled harbours. They were like a woman in a red gown at a white wedding. You could see the quality from 100 yards. I have never seen a sailboat that deserved the term Yacht so much, not even Swans, of which I have seen & admired many. The Hinckleys were the nautical equivalent of a 60's Rolls Royce Phantom - true, old time class that simply can't be duplicated in anything contemporary no matter how much you try or spend.  

Audolphins said: tillermanX2 Sounds like you got a lot of pleasure out of her and a lot of cruising. Redemption (OC 42 Hull #1) has been up and down the east coast and from Mexico to San Fransisco where she now lives. I remember talking to Hank about the 42's apparently most of the aft cockpits were center-boarder's and all the center cockpits were semi full keels. He could never figure out why . When we were at Hinckley's oxford yard one of the OC 52's was out having some work done would have loved to talk to the owners Audolphins Click to expand...

Thank you something about that color scheme http://www.sailnet.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif  

about what Audolphins says about H-D, AMF bought them in 1969 and sold them in 81 to a group from within the company, now they are publicly traded. don't know about the rest  

Umm really? Harley Davidson was purchased by AMF in 1969 and sold in 1981 NOT Hinckley. Hatteras Yachts WAS owned by AMF. Hattaras begins with "H" but is spelled differently than Hinckley.... Bain Capitol, who now owns Hinckley, is a PRIVATE equity firm NOT publicly traded.... My wife's cousin worked for Mitt then left to be Mitt's gubernatorial campaign finance director. They are still a private company..  

May I ask where did you get your dates. Ann  

audolphins, you can get the dates from H-D's website under company/history. or I'm sure you can just google it~~james  

main sail , do you understand I was posting about H-D and nothing else? I was posting in response to another poster, only I knew the history about Harley-Davidson. On Hinckely I knew they had been bought by a private equity firm at one time, but didn't know enough of the details to comment  

jameso said: main sail , do you understand I was posting about H-D and nothing else? I was posting in response to another poster, only I knew the history about Harley-Davidson. On Hinckely I knew they had been bought by a private equity firm at one time, but didn't know enough of the details to comment Click to expand...

thank you Maine Sail, but to restate and clarify, Audolphins was saying that they were informed that AMF bought H-D in '83, so I was correcting that, as Harleys I know a little about, at least compared to sailing. Hope I can pick up some great information on this site~~james  

I own an OC42 and would generally agree that they are very fine boats but perhaps not QUITE a "true Hinckley," mainly in the level of finish. Solid as a rock, though. The blood-relationship is evident, though (e.g., the water and fuel tank vents are routed through two of the stanchion bases and into the stanchions themselves, which are drilled to provide the venting, a nice touch).  

Although OCY is no longer in business, Hank Hinckley is still around, and maintains a website that tells something about the OCs. Here is the link: HANK HINCKLEY'S BOATS BTW & FWIW, I have owned one fo the 42s for a year now and still get a little pitterpat when I look at her. She sails very well -- not superfast but neither is she terribly slow, and rock-steady in the biggest blow I have yet to have her out in (35+ knots).  

Redemption has been out in 30+ with 20+ft seas never had a minutes fear about her ability Center or aft cockpit Audolphins  

If you want to know, write Hank. He's still producing boats in SW Harbor. Check out the cool 26' Daysailer.. Hank Hinckley's Brokerage Boats In talking to Hank, his passion is obvious. He is proud of his name and heritage and the work he's doing now brings all his experience and drive for excellence to bear. He isn't into it for the money, he wants to build the best boats in the world.  

One quick question, I seem to recall being told at a boat show that Tillotson-Pearson actually provided the hulls, decks and liners under contract for the OC's. Does anyone know whether I am remembering this correctly? Also missing from the list of boats built at Hinckley is the wooden Hinckley 21, U.S. Navy Utility Launch 28, and Captains Gig 32, a couple or three Burgess designed post war Atlantic OD Class boats, Hinckley Alden Barnacle, and wooden S&S/Hinckley designed SW Jr. and SW Sr., wooden Malabar Jr (most were built at Graves), Shields OD class, the S&S designed Hinckley Competition 38 which had its fiberglass hull and most of their decks molded at Hughes in Canada. Jeff  

• ?            
• 175.5K members

Top Contributors this Month

About Hinckley Yachts

Built for Lobstering and Vacationers

More than 90 years ago, the Hinckley Company began in the boating business to service vessels plying the waters off the rugged coast of Maine. It was 1928 when Benjamin B. Hinckley bought the Manset Boatyard in Southwest Harbor. They aimed for lobster fishermen most of the year, then chartered the boats to vacationers during the summer months.

Four years later, his son, Henry R. Hinckley took over the business and set to work using his engineering degree (with studies in aeronautical and mechanical engineering) from Cornell University. The younger Hinckley built his first motorboat in 1933, a 36-foot fishing vessel named Ruthyeolyn.

That was just the beginning of the company’s attention to detail and durability. Construction of the first Hinckley sailing sloop came five years later: the 28-foot Sparkman & Stephens design was the first of 20, and was the company’s first production-line boat. In 1945, Hinckley built the first Sou’wester sailboat which grew to a fleet of 62, the largest single-design boat of that era.

Embracing Innovations

The Hinckley Yacht Company has been an innovator on many fronts. To procure the highest quality fixtures such as fuel tanks, stanchions, chocks, pulpits, deck plates, and masts, the company started to build and design their own products as Manset Marine Supply Company in 1940. And during World War II, Hinckley helped meet the needs of the United States military by building vessels designed for war.

Ever-growing, the 1950s saw Hinckley build hulls with fiberglass, a new idea at the time, and the first was their Bermuda 40 sailing ship in 1959. Innovations continued with auto-pilot systems and electric furling mainsails onboard their boats starting in the 1960s. Many in the industry felt that the company took a chance as it left wood construction behind in favor of new products. The Osprey was the last Hinckley wooden boat and was built in 1960.

Experimentation to build lighter and stronger vessels with fiberglass continued and now the company uses other composites including carbon fiber. As early adopters of the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP), Hinckley boats have a single chemical bond between the hull and the support structure. Starting in 2018, the builder employed an environmentally safer process with an epoxy-resin infusion and vacuum-infused process which increases strength up to 40%. Hinckley claims to be the only boat builder to use carbon fiber and Kevlar composite for all of the company’s designs.

Hinckley yachts use water-jet propulsion for precise handling with a joystick to efficiently change direction for continuous maneuverability. This also offers safe navigation in shallow or unfamiliar waters because of the lack of hardware below the waterline. With no propellers, pods, and rudders, drag is reduced for even more efficiency in speed and fuel consumption. These propulsion systems also include Heading Hold, Dynamic Steering, Geostationary Lock (G-Lock), and Parker Intellinders.

A remote monitoring system called OnWatch was launched in 2016 to track data points onboard with sensors on the boat. These are relayed to a mobile Web site with engine status, bilge, battery, fuel-tank levels, shore power connectivity, and more.

All Hinckley boats, ranging in size from 29 to 55 feet, are still built in the Hinckley shop in Maine.

Hinckley Yacht Company Ownership Through The Years

After nearly 50 years under the command of Hinckley, Richard Tucker bought the business in 1979. It didn’t last long as the recession in the 1980s led Tucker to sell the company three years later to Henry Hinckley’s son, Bob, who bought the company with business partner Shepard McKenney.

Eventually, the Bain, Willard Companies bought the business in 1997 for approximately $20 million. The most recent ownership change came in 2001 when 51% of the Hinckley Company was sold to Monitor Clipper Partners for $40 million in debt and equity. The Hinckley Company acquired Hunt Yachts in 2014 and Morris Yachts in 2015.

After the sale, Hinckley continues to service their brand with 10 YachtCare Centers along the U.S. east coast. The company’s continued care program features a mobile service team and YachtCare Classic program for its early model yachts. Hinckley has also added more than 100,000 square feet of climate-controlled indoor storage in these centers from Maine to Florida, including 40,000 square feet of Category 5 storm-rated storage.

After more than 57 years, Lewis Marine Supply acquired Manset Marine Supply Company in 2003.

Here are some of the classic Hinckley models:

• Picnic Boat Picnic Boat 34 S, Picnic Boat 37 S, Picnic Boat 40 S.
• Sportboat Sportboat 40C, Sportboat 40X
• Motor yacht   (with or without flybridge) Talaria 43, Talaria 48 MKII, Talaria 55 MKII
• Runabout Dasher Electric, Runabout 29, Center Console 29, Runabout 34, Runabout 38
• Sailboat Sou’Wester 53, Bermuda 40, Bermuda 50
• Outboard Hinckley 35

Search Hinckley Yachts by Price

Search hinckley yachts by length, search hinckley yachts by year.

We have several locations on both east and west coasts and are waiting to help

CONTACT AN ALLIED MARINE SPECIALIST

Used yacht brand interest, sign up for email updates.

• 40 ft. and down
• 41 ft. – 50 ft.
• 51 ft. – 60 ft.
• 61 ft. – 70 ft.
• 71 ft. and up
• $100,000 and down
• $100,001- $500,000
• $500,001- $1,000,000
• $1,000,001 and up

MEL BELLE Hinckley Talaria 55 MKII MY 2018

• West Palm Beach, FL

QUEEN BEE 2 Hunt Yachts 80 2016

THREE ACES Hinckley Talaria 55 FB 2007

• Key Largo, FL

SEA DOG Hinckley Talaria 43 Motoryacht 2016

• Greenport, NY

Start Brokerage Search

• Sell Your Yacht
• Meet The Team

• Hinckley Yachts

The Hinckley Company’s roots are deep in soil of Maine boatbuilding. The company, founded in 1928 to build and care for the boats of the local lobstermen, has been in continuous operation building such classics as the Bermuda 40 and the Picnic Boat. Henry Hinckley set the course with the Bermuda 40 in the early 1960s when he crafted her stunning lines out of a radical, new material, fiberglass. This combination of elegant form, material innovation and brilliant attention to finishing detail set the course Hinckley has been on ever since in the pleasure boat business.

Today, Hinckley builds Jetboats and sailboats from 29 to 55 feet and supports its owners and other yachtsmen with its network of service yards from Maine to Florida. Two other distinguished boat builders, Hunt Yachts and Morris Yachts, were acquired in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

• Hunt Yachts

Hunt Yachts presents two lines of efficient, high-performance powerboats designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates. Each model delivers the legendary sea-keeping, rough-water capability and dry, comfortable ride of the authentic Hunt Deep-V hull, the eye-catching and timeless appeal of “Hunt style”, and the opportunity for owners to personalize. Unlike mass market boats, Hunts are unique in that each has been built to order, customized to the owner’s needs and desires. The Coastal Series includes models from 25 to 36 feet. The Ocean Series includes yachts from 46 to 80 feet. The Ocean Series yachts are built in Taiwan by Global Yacht Builders. Hunt Yachts was acquired by The Hinckley Company in 2013 and Hinckley’s service network provides support for all Hunt products.

• Morris Yachts

Become America's premier builder of fine sailing yachts for discriminating sailors around the world. Morris yachts are stunningly beautiful handcrafted boats built by Maine craftsmen who have demonstrated the highest standards in quality, style, performance, and luxury. 

• Palm Beach Motor Yachts

In 1995, Mark Richards launched a boat-building business in the breathtaking beach community of Palm Beach, New South Wales, Australia focusing on specialized sailing yachts. In 1999, Palm Beach Motor Yachts set sail in a new direction which would change the face of Palm Beach, and the future of the company. Today Palm Beach builds Downeast style motor yachts ranging from 42’ to 70’ in express and flybridge configurations 

MJM is a family-owned business that designs and builds outboard & inboard yachts in a modern Carolina/Downeast style. MJM’s are world-renowned for, exceptional stability, smoothness of ride, rinse down finishes, and liveaboard comfort.

• Grand Banks

Since 1956, Grand Banks Yachts has built yachts of excellent quality that have become industry hallmarks and earned a loyal following around the world. Grand Banks trawlers and Eastbay express cruisers are renowned for their handmade craftsmanship, distinctive good looks, and tried and true all-weather capabilities.

Eastbay is a Downeast style series of motor yachts launched by Grand Banks in 1993. Since 1956, Grand Banks Yachts, Ltd. has built yachts of excellent quality that have become industry hallmarks and earned a loyal following around the world. Grand Banks trawlers and Eastbay express cruisers are renowned for their handmade craftsmanship, distinctive good looks, and tried and true all-weather capabilities.

Sabre Yachts has crafted Maine-built yachts since 1970. Faithful to that heritage, Sabre is dedicated to manufacturing the high-quality dual-engine pod-driven yachts, in the signature Downeast style. Crafted by Maine boat builders with cumulative centuries of experience, Sabre’s iconic American-cherry woodworking and classic profiles turn heads in any harbor.

Back Cove Yachts crafts owner operator yachts that epitomize traditional Maine values – quality, ingenuity, and nautical sensibility. True to their heritage, Back Cove yachts are single engine motor yachts designed in signature Downeast style. Back Cove Yachts are efficient, practical, elegant and built in the State of Maine.

Vicem Yachts Vintage Line is built using the cold-molding process. A construction technique which embodies all the construction methods of the Turkish historical marine tradition; a modern procedure different from traditional boat building. Based on engineered wood construction, cold-molding uses laminated mahogany and a specific formulated epoxy resin to create the hull, decks and principal superstructures. This results in a strong vessel with a smooth ride, and natural insulation from humidity and noise.

Why Buy with Hinckley?

At Hinckley, our team makes the difference. Our dedicated Brokerage Team specializes in pre-owned Hinckley Yachts and other premium yacht brands. Our goal is to make the entire buying process as smooth and enjoyable possible. From the beginning of your search to narrowing down the yacht that is just right for you, our Brokerage Team will be there to lead you through the entire process with ease.

Buy With Us

• Why List with Hinckley?

Hinckley Yacht Brokerage has been the preferred way for owners to sell their boats since it was established within the Company in 1970. For nearly 50 years, the team at Hinckley has been the go-to source for buying and selling America’s most beautiful yachts. Today, our website receives thousands of visitors each day who learn about the heritage of our yachts, our service programs, and our central brokerage listings.

Sell With Us

Browse Yachts By Location

Exclusive yachts for sale, five star hinckley talaria 55 fb 2006.

• Saint Michaels, MD

CALLINECTES

Callinectes hinckley talaria 43 motoryacht 2018, jane hinckley talaria 43 2014.

• Portsmouth, RI

LA LA LAND Hinckley Sport Boat 40c 2024

Mchappy iii, mchappy iii hinckley t48 motor yacht 2013.

• Palm Beach, FL

LILLI Hinckley Sport Boat 40x 2023

Cavu 4 hinckley sport boat 40x 2022.

• Jamestown, RI

258 yachts in inventory Explore All

Certified Pre-Owned

When you list your Hinckley with Hinckley Yacht Brokerage, you have the opportunity to certify your yacht through the Hinckley CPO Warranty Program.

View Details

Subscribe us and get latest updates

• Name First Last
• Boating Country * Choose a Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands
• Boating State * Choose a State Outside US / Canada Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sales Inquiry

• Name * First Last
• Boating State * Choose a State Outside US / Canada Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas California - North California - South Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida - East Coast Florida - West Coast Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts - North of Boston Massachusetts - Boston and South Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Hampshire New Jersey - North of Sandy Hook New Jersey - South of Sandy Hook New Mexico New York - Great Lakes New York - Coastal North Carolina North Dakota Nova Scotia Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania - East Pennsylvania - West Puerto Rico Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
• Mailing Address * Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country

I am interested in

• Hinckley 29c
• Picnic Boat 37 MKIII
• Runabout 29
• Talaria 55 MKII
• Picnic Boat 34 MKII
• Picnic Boat 40
• Runabout 34
• Talaria 48 MKII
• Sou'wester 53
• Brokerage Sailboat
• Brokerage Powerboat
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• Yachts For Sale

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Boating State * Outside US / Canada Alabama Alaska Alberta Arizona Arkansas California - North California - South Colorado Connecticut Delaware District Of Columbia Florida - East Coast Florida - West Coast Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Manitoba Maryland Massachusetts - North of Boston Massachusetts - Boston and South Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Brunswick New Hampshire New Jersey - North of Sandy Hook New Jersey - South of Sandy Hook New Mexico New York - Great Lakes New York - Coastal North Carolina North Dakota Nova Scotia Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania - East Pennsylvania - West Puerto Rico Rhode Island Saskatchewan South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The essence of Hinckley’s Maine heritage is in our sailing vessels. Here you’ll find the classic shape, dramatic lines, and inner strength of a boatbuilding tradition that is equal to the challenges of the North Atlantic. Over time, Hinckley has merged the integration of new technologies into the craftsmanship that guides our boatbuilding. The result is a fleet of sailboats that articulates a timeless aesthetic and the most advanced practices in yacht design and construction.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS MODEL

Inside the last company building boats in Boston

Whenever you drive the Tobin Bridge, just before you leave Charlestown, you’re passing over the last company making boats in Boston.

Along the Mystic River, with several of the Tobin’s trestles planted in the parking lot, Boston Boatworks is continuing a tradition that reaches back centuries. Boston has built boats big and small, from the USS Constitution constructed in the North End, to the clipper ships of Donald McKay’s shipyard in East Boston, to the “unsinkable” Boston Whaler, designed in Braintree.

Walk into Boston Boatworks, and you’re greeted by the smell of the special glue the company uses to make the carbon fiber hulls of its watercraft. Go a little further, and you’ll encounter a half-dozen boats in various stages of construction — including an electric ferry for a popular campground on Three Mile Island in Lake Winnipesaukee.

Advertisement

Boston Boatworks started life in 1995, as a partnership between Scott Smith, Mark Lindsay, and Geoff Berger. (Lindsay, a renowned designer of sailboats, died in 2019, and Berger is now CEO of Hinckley Yachts, a Rhode Island manufacturer.) The company’s original home was East Boston, in the former Bethlehem Atlantic Works shipyard, which repaired ships for the Navy and Coast Guard.

It outgrew its space there and moved in 2014 to a three-story building with offices on the top, a factory floor, and massive roll-up doors at both ends. One of those roll-up doors faces the Mystic, where docks and a lift allow the company to get boats in and out of the water.

Boston Boatworks first made custom racing sailboats, but eventually concluded that that market was too small. But the company realized that lightweight materials and designs used to make sailboats faster had not penetrated the world of powerboats.

With powerboats, Smith explained, “you can overcome a lot of design deficiencies just by adding more horsepower. Our approach was to take weight out of the boat, use smaller engines — which have less fuel consumption — and materials that don’t fatigue as the boat ages.”

Rather than traditional fiberglass, Boston Boatworks chose to use more expensive carbon fiber — which is lighter, stiffer, and tougher — and borrowed manufacturing techniques from aircraft production, which also uses the material. If you’ve seen the Encore Casino’s water shuttles — built at a cost of about $1 million each — you’ve seen their work.

In the early 2000s, Boston Boatworks was approached by a North Carolina company, MJM Yachts, to build a line of ocean-going yachts; MJM wanted to marry Boston Boatworks’ manufacturing expertise with a sleek, low-slung design from Doug Zurn, a naval architect in Marblehead.

MJM quickly became Boston Boatworks’ largest customer. But in 2019, Boston Boatworks’ relationship with MJM abruptly ended when MJM decided to set up its own factory in North Carolina, citing lower labor and other costs.

That forced Boston Boatworks to scramble. One lifeline came from a $20 million contract to build 10 boats for the Barton & Gray Mariner’s Club, a New Hampshire company that is like Zipcar for the yachting set. Members can reserve a boat and captain in places such as Nantucket, East Hampton, or Boca Raton.

That deal let Barton & Gray design a boat especially for its members, who go out for the day rather than on overnight trips. What had been a sleeping cabin in the Hinckley yachts the club offers became an outdoor space in the bow. The kitchen moved upstairs so that people could more easily gather around the food.

The 48-foot boat, called the Daychaster, is longer, wider, and larger than the Hinckleys, but it is 15 to 20 percent more fuel efficient because of the materials used by Boston Boatworks, said Douglas Gray, Barton & Gray’s cofounder and chief marketing officer.

The Daychaser has become the premium boat in the Barton & Gray’s fleet: members who want access to the Daychaser pay a higher level of annual dues — at least $80,000, in addition to a $20,000 initiation fee. “The Daychaser is very much a competitive advantage for us,” Gray said.

Barton & Gray recently signed a contract for its 16th Daychaser boat; three others have been sold to individual owners.

In 2023, Boston Boatworks announced a new boat that would be the first to bear its name: the Boston Boatworks Offshore Express Cruiser. Three are in various stages of production; a fourth is slated to get started next month.

The first customer in line is Ed Kaye, chief executive of a Bedford biotech company, Stoke Therapeutics. Kaye, who describes himself as “a sailor at heart,” expects to take delivery of the 50-foot craft with twin diesel engines later this year. The base price for that boat, the first model in the company’s Offshore Express Cruiser line, dubbed the BB44, is $2.85 million.

“The design appeals to sailors who are really focused on well-made and functional boats — not just pretty, fast boats,” Kaye said. He also likes the idea of “having a local group of people build something of quality — something that you’ll be proud of.”

Despite a COVID-fueled surge in recent years, sales of boats longer than 35 feet in recent years fell 9 percent in the first four months of this year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Boston Boatworks has reduced its workforce about 30 percent from its peak of 140 in 2019.

The company is still putting a dozen or so new boats into the water each year. The latest: the Appy, the electric ferry bound for service on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Smith, 66, said he plans to stick around his company as long as he can be useful. Boston Boatworks, he added, has never been about making boats at the lowest possible price, or at the fastest possible rate.

“We want to build the best,” he says. “There has always been an understanding that knowledgeable owners understand the value of what we do — and there’s a limited market of those.”

This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Scott Kirsner can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him @ScottKirsner .