The Boat That Changed Everything
2001 Hinckley Picnic Boat Classic - $250,000
In 1994, the boating world was simple. You either had a sailboat, a trawler, or a “go-fast” boat. Then Hinckley dropped the Picnic Boat, and the entire industry lost its mind.
They took a working lobster hull, stripped off the pot hauler, and added a level of finish usually reserved for Stradivarius violins. But the real revolution wasn’t the teak; it was the drive system. They ditched the prop and rudder for a Hamilton Waterjet and invented the “JetStick.” Suddenly, a 36-foot yacht could be docked with two fingers.
This boat invented the “Downeast Yacht” category. It is the reason every manufacturer from Italy to Taiwan now builds a “Picnic Style” cruiser.
Usually, owning an icon like this requires a seven-figure entry fee. That is why this 2001 Classic in Southwest Harbor is such a find. At $250,000, it costs less than a new wakeboard boat, but it gets you into the most exclusive club in New England.
The Specs
Model: 2001 Hinckley Picnic Boat Classic
Power: Yanmar 6LY2-STE (440 hp)
Drive: Hamilton 292 Jet Drive
Draft: 19 inches (Yes, really)
Location: Southwest Harbor, ME (The Mothership)
Price: $250,000
Why We Love It (The “Green Flags”)
The “Mothership” Pedigree: This boat is for sale by Hinckley Yacht Brokerage in Southwest Harbor, Maine. This is like buying a Ferrari from the factory in Maranello. It has been stored in their heated sheds and serviced by the technicians who built it. You cannot buy better peace of mind.
The Upgrade: The Achilles heel of early Hinckleys was the Generation 1 JetStick. It was groundbreaking but glitchy. This listing indicates a New JetStick installed in 2022. That is a massive $20k+ upgrade that solves the biggest anxiety of owning an older model.
The Draft: Because it has no prop hanging down, this boat draws only 19 inches. You can pull it right up to a sandy beach in the Bahamas or cut across flats that would ground a center console.
The Engine: The Yanmar 6LY is one of the best marine diesels ever built. At ~650 hours, it is barely broken in.
The Reality Check (The “Red Flags”)
The Golden Handcuffs: Owning a Hinckley is a marriage. The jet drives require specialized maintenance (impeller clearances, hydraulic rams). You can’t just take this to “Bob’s Bait & Tackle” for service. You are likely locked into the Hinckley service network, which is excellent but expensive.
The Varnish Bill: Look at that toe rail. Look at that helm station. It’s gorgeous. It’s also a part-time job. If you aren’t willing to pay a professional to add coats of varnish every year, this boat will look tragic in 24 months.
The Jet Curve: Jet drives are not like props. They are inefficient at low speeds and take practice to steer at cruise (they tend to wander). You have to “drive” this boat; you can’t just set the autopilot and fall asleep.
The Verdict This is the “Halo Car” of the Downeast world. At $250k, it is priced right in the sweet spot—fully depreciated but modernized with the new JetStick. If you want to turn heads in every harbor from Newport to Nantucket, this is the ticket.
