By Scott Shane Published: June, 2002

Mainship's new Pilot 30 Series II screams New England but is built in Florida. The employee-owned company has created a boat reminiscent of weekenders in style at a price that does not preclude her from taking on second boat status.

This redesign had extensive retooling below the waterline, including a shortened keel, a tighter shaft angle, a tunnel draft and a new five-blade prop. The changes allow the Pilot 30 to sneak into skinny water.

In the cabin, attention was given to creature comforts beyond day boat capabilities. The unique folding queen berth with innerspring mattress does not impede movement about the cabin. The galley includes a top-loading refrigerator, a range, a microwave and below-counter stowage. Headroom is an issue on many cruisers this size, but the Pilot 30 offers a reasonable 6 feet, 3 inches of clearance.

Corian finishes the vanity countertop in the head, which also has an integral shower and an electric MSD.

There are many options, including a genset, reverse cycle air and heat, a bow thruster and a fully enclosed sedan package that transforms this quaint, spacious express into a complete cruiser. The more mundane options are an oil-change system, a windlass and internal sea strainers.

Mainship Corp., (800) 578-0852; fax (904) 827-2157; www.mainship.com.