OnBoard Magazine - Issue XVII - 2025 Season

By any measure, Robert and Robin Kesler are seasoned boaters, owning a series of impressive cruising yachts over the last twenty years. Over that time, the couple has developed a deep appreciation for the balance of form, function and ease of operation in a welldesigned vessel. Their newest boat—a 2024 Back Cove 372—represents not just another step in their boating evolution, but a high-water mark in a lifelong journey that began 55 years ago. “I started boating when I was 12 years old,” Robert explains. Since then, it’s been a constant draw in his life. The Keslers bought their first cruising boat, a Monk 36, in 2003. That purchase marked the beginning of a new chapter: extended cruises, weekend getaways, and countless memories made on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. Since then, they’ve owned several Grand Banks yachts, including a 42 Europa and an Eastbay 54—classic, beautifully built boats that reflect their taste for quality and tradition. But even with that pedigree of owning larger vessels, the Keslers say this Back Cove is their favorite yet, choosing to call it High Tide. “We chose the name to reflect that this is the peak of our boat ownership,” Robert says. THE TOTAL PACKAGE The Back Cove 372 is designed for couples who cruise with purpose— those who value a thoughtful layout, practical features, and a luxurious onboard experience without excess complexity. With two staterooms and generous indoor and outdoor living spaces, the 372 offers just the right amount of everything. For the Keslers, who enjoy exploring the rivers and coves of the Chesapeake Bay, it seems to be the perfect fit for this chapter of their story. At the heart of the boat is a single 600 horsepower Cummins engine—a configuration that appeals to experienced cruisers for its simplicity, fuel efficiency, and ease of maintenance. The layout is NEW BACK COVE 372 MARKS THE PEAK OF A LIFELONG BOATING JOURNEY HIGH TIDE 32 BLUEWATER

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