Three Boats Built for Adventure: Coastal Cruising, Bluewater Passage, and Day-Trip Versatility

If you’re chasing adventure, few things match the freedom of being behind the wheel of a boat. From summer cruises along Maine’s rugged coast to bluewater passages, reef diving in the Keys, paddleboarding in the British Virgin Islands or even an Arctic expedition, the right boat opens possibilities. Below are three distinct designs—an express coastal explorer, a full-displacement trawler and a nimble outboard-powered sports cabin—each suited to different kinds of voyages and lifestyles.

Grand Banks 44 Eastbay SX — Express Coastal Explorer

The Grand Banks 44 Eastbay SX is built to be an agile near-coastal explorer with the performance and construction to go well beyond day trips. Its deep-vee hull by C. Raymond Hunt gives a confident ride in challenging seas, while efficient construction materials — modern E-glass, vinylester and epoxy resins, stitched multiaxial fabrics and lightweight linear foam — keep the boat strong and light for better range and fuel economy.

Performance is a standout: the Eastbay can cruise beyond the shoreline at 20+ knots, allowing you to escape bad weather or reach farther anchorages faster. The model tops out at roughly 42.7 knots, and at a steady 22 knots it offers a practical range in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles with a healthy reserve. At a slightly reduced speed the range increases further, giving more flexibility for extended coastal runs.

Despite being a 44-foot express cruiser, Grand Banks carries substantial usable interior space thanks to a forward beam of 14 feet 7 inches. That layout accommodates a utility room, optional extra freezer, washer/dryer and up to three staterooms—comforts usually associated with larger yachts. Grand Banks also balances modern systems and user-friendliness: IPS 600 drives with joystick control simplify docking and low-speed maneuvering, making single- or short-handed handling easier.

The main saloon is designed for relaxed socializing and dining, with electric drop-down windows to open the space. The galley sits to starboard with an induction cooktop, refrigerator and sink positioned beneath a picture window, while a dinette to port includes a U-shaped settee. Cockpit features include a teak sole, L-shaped seating, a mezzanine-style helm seat for enjoying the ride or watching anglers at work, and an oversized swim/boarding platform for easy water access. Wide side decks, a high bow rail and ample handholds give safe movement around the exterior, and under-cockpit access keeps systems reachable for maintenance. Its raised trunk cabin, three-pane windshield, navy hull and teak trim also make it an attractive, purposeful yacht.

Krogen 50 Open — Full-Displacement Bluewater Trawler

For true bluewater adventure cruising where comfort and safety matter above all, a full-displacement hull like the Krogen 50 Open shines. With a long-range capability on the order of thousands of nautical miles at economical speeds, this type of trawler is built to handle transoceanic passages and extended cruising seasons with fewer refueling stops. Kadey-Krogen emphasizes seaworthiness through lead ballast, multiple watertight bulkheads and aramid reinforcement for added strength.

The Krogen 50’s hull form—its displacement-to-length ratio, fine entry and wineglass transom—delivers a seakindly and stable ride in open water. Interior appointments lean toward home-style comforts: household mattresses, a master head with dual sinks and a walk-in shower, deep-drawer storage, hanging lockers, and a separate washer and dryer. The galley uses household appliances and there is abundant pantry and locker space, making long passages or extended cruising far more livable.

The 50 Open introduces a continuous saloon/galley/pilothouse layout that increases social interaction while underway—ideal for those who want a boat that feels open like an express cruiser yet performs like a traditional trawler. When conditions demand more protection, the helm can be separated by installing an internal bulkhead. Practical features such as a Portuguese bridge, wing stations, ample engine-room access and uncluttered foredeck with waist-high rails reflect the boat’s ship-like emphasis on safety and serviceability. A flybridge option can seat up to eight, include a summer galley and accommodate small watercraft and safety gear, further expanding its cruising versatility.

Axopar 37 SC — Fast, Versatile Outboard Sports Cabin

The Axopar 37 SC (Sports Cabin) is aimed at day-to-day coastal adventures: diving, fishing, kayaking, island hopping or quick overnight escapes. This outboard-powered sports cabin combines a fast, efficient hull with practical features for play and short cruises. Axopar’s design evolution yields a sleeker pilothouse, and the SC keeps an enclosed cabin and a comfortable, weatherproof helm.

A deep-vee bottom with a 21-degree transom deadrise, sharp entry and broad chines produce confident handling and a fun, responsive ride. The twin-step hull reduces drag to boost efficiency and range; with twin 350-hp outboards the boat can cruise at around 30 mph and cover long day-trip distances on reasonable fuel. Fewer engines than comparable boats can lower both purchase and servicing costs, while keeping performance high.

The onboard layout is focused on flexible day-use and short-stay comfort: a bow sunpad, wide side decks, aft deck with optional wet bar and an airy saloon accessed by wide sliding doors and a powered overhead hatch. A double berth forward, a head, integrated storage and cabin seating let you overnight comfortably for a couple of nights. Plenty of space for toys—kayaks strapped to the roof, paddleboards and scuba gear in aft lockers—and an open transom provides easy water access for swimming and diving.

In short, the Axopar 37 SC is a fast, versatile coastal explorer that suits active boaters who want a do-everything platform for day trips and short cruises.

This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue.