OnBoard Magazine - Summer 2015

IN THE CORPORATE WORLD the term downsizing can have frightening connotations, but when it comes to a new boat purchase, it has become an acceptable practice laced with benefits. There are a plenty of reasons captains decide to downsize when “upgrading” to a newer boat, but regardless of the reason, the market and demand are there for well equipped mid-size yachts. The owners of Provenance , a Back Cove 41 hailing fromNorfolk, Virginia,moveddown from their 55’ Fleming for a bevy of reasons, ranging from maintenance and upkeep, to fuel efficiency and maneuverability. The 41 is Back Cove’s newest flagship, and like any model from the accomplished Maine boat builder, it is well equipped straight from the factory, requiring few additions to be fully enjoyed by her owners. Truth be told, the only options added to Provenance was her teak and holly cockpit sole and the retractable canopy sunshade. Her owners have come a long way in their boating careers, having started out in their youth with row boats and Boston Whalers. Through the years, they have owned ten boats, including notable cruising yachts such as their Grand Banks 42 and Fleming 55, plus a Pursuit center console set up for fishing. The modest couple have cruised extensively up and down the eastern seaboard and lived aboard for as long as two months at a time. Nowhere near ready to abandon this cruising lifestyle, but planning to make shorter more frequent trips, the owners of Provenance found themselves gravitating towards the Back Cove line of downeast style cruisers for a number of reasons. THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS When they decided to downsize, it was quite an ordeal to find a boat with a layout that suited their exact wishes. Amajor factor was the placement of the galley, which is commonly located down below on many of the boats in the Back Cove’s size range. In their experience however, being trapped below preparing food or beverages equates to missing the action out on the water. However, the Back Cove 41 offered a galley adjacent to the primary salon deck, which they highly preferred. This galley-up layout is outfitted with dual stainless steel refrigerator drawers with a separate freezer mounted below the helm seats. In addition to the galley’s ceramic cook- top, convection microwave oven and deep sink basin, it is packed of storage including two large drawers beneath the settee. This stow-away area is also complimented with overhead lockers to both port and starboard. The 41’s layout is proof that a galley-up design in a mid-size cruising yacht does not have to sacrifice on features or functionality. A NUMBERS GAME Fuel efficiency and superior handling from her single inboard Cummins was also a factor in the owners’ buying decision. Provenance was configured with the proven Cummins QSC in-line six—a turbocharged diesel engine producing an impressive 600 horsepower from its relatively small 8.3 liter displacement. With very little between the flywheel and the prop, save for the shaft and a single ZF reduction gear, this no-nonsense powertrain can save an operator some serious cash over the long run —both at the fuel dock and in maintenance costs. The owners of Provenance may have taken their time for some serious homework before the purchase, but choosing the right broker required little effort. Several years past, they met Bluewater’s Mark Connors at PROVING PROVENANCE GETTING TO KNOW THE ALL EW BACK COVE 41 32 BLUEWATER