With its new 32, Back Cove saw little initiative to change what has become a tried-and-true formula. And heck, when you match timeless good looks with highly functional performance and layout, why would you want to change anything in the first place?
The 32 serves as a replenishment for the smaller end of the Back Cove range, which spans from 30 to 41 feet. Back Cove executives felt that the 30 and 34 were becoming just the slightest bit stale and wanted to give their fans something new to salivate over. But the company also wanted to remain true to its roots: It doesn’t build big boats. The 41 is about as big as Back Cove have plans to ever build as part of its line of highly practical, good-looking dayboats. And thus, the 32.
There’s no denying the boat has the classic aesthetic appeal we’ve all come to expect from Back Cove, but she is also quite functional. A stateroom below is just big enough for a cruising couple, and has an island-queen berth, head and shower. The space allows the boat to function not only as a dayboat, but also as a capable weekender. Two people could easily spend a night on board in comfort, a nice option if you’re not a fan of lumpy hotel beds and ancient air-conditioners that go clunk in the night.
The main deck is a single level all the way to the transom, a design that neatly integrates the indoor and outdoor spaces into one entertainment area. This is a characteristic for which Back Cove customers have been clamoring. After all, with a boat this size it’s absolutely paramount to be able to use as much onboard space as possible in as efficient a manner as is feasible.
As for performance, the 32 should be comparable to her sisterships: sporty without being overwhelmingly so, with an exceedingly stable ride thanks to lobster-boat heritage. The standard engine will be a 370 horsepower Yanmar or Volvo that is expected to have the boat cruising at 21 knots and topping out at 25.
However, with the optional 435 hp Yanmar, Volvo or Cummins engine package, the little day tripper should scoot along at a 25-knot cruise and do just shy of 30 on the pins. That’s just enough pop to give most people a bit of a thrill.
The Back Cove 32 made a soft debut at the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show this past summer, basically in the backyard of Back Cove, which is in Rockland. The 32 will also, of course, be hitting all of the big East Coast shows this fall, including Newport, Annapolis and Fort Lauderdale. While on tour, this pocket-sized cruiser should give Back Cove customers and Down East fans in general something to talk about, as she covers all the bases and is capable of being used in exactly the way she was intended.
Because as Back Cove realized, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — just give it a new LOA.
