Choose Your Own Adventure

Coastal, near-coastal or far offshore, these boats will make it happen

- Chris Landry

If you want adventure, what better way to find it than behind the wheel of a boat? 

Take a summer to explore the coast of Maine. Head offshore and land your first blue marlin. Dive for lobster in the Florida Keys. Paddle board in the British Virgin Islands. Maybe cross an ocean or go on an Arctic expedition. The possibilities are endless. 

Many vessels could serve you well — it all depends on what kind of adventure you’re seeking. Here are three boats suited for a variety of escapades: a full displacement trawler, a Down East-style express and an outboard-powered coastal cruiser. Imagine the adventures you could take …

Grand Banks 44 Eastbay SX

What makes this new Eastbay an ideal near-coastal explorer? Start with her performance and ride. Owners can cruise far out in the Bahamas or up the Inside Passage at 20-plus knots. Speed allows you to run from poor weather, and to go beyond the beaten path in less time. This adventure yacht hits 42.7 knots wide open, and at a cruising speed of 22 knots, the Eastbay has a range of 433 nautical miles with a 10 percent reserve. Bump her down to 17.5 knots, and your range jumps to about 475 nautical miles. No worries if you run into some challenging seas. The 44 Eastbay SX rides a deep-vee C. Raymond Hunt-designed hull.

She’s built with high-end materials — the latest E-glass, vinyl ester and epoxy resins, stitched multiaxial fabrics and lightweight linear foam. The light yet strong construction gives her longer legs and solid fuel efficiency.