With the Arrival of the Picnic Boat 39, Hinckley Celebrates a New Era of Innovation and Attention to Detail
In 1928, Henry Hinckley created his namesake brand. He built it with a keen eye for detail, as Hinckley himself was meticulous — with decisions, with hand-selecting his craftsmen, and with his prescient vision for the future of yachting. Today, “the Hinckley way,” is anchored in the mantra that anything worth doing should be done right. The brand’s latest product debut, the Picnic Boat 39, is emblematic of the founder’s vision. As with the original Picnic Boat, the newest iteration is poised for performance, power, and play.
When Hinckley Yachts first took to the waters of Southwest Harbor, Maine, they quickly garnered a reputation for strength, seaworthiness, and careful craftsmanship. To this day, no more than 35 Hinckleys are produced annually, including just 10 Picnic Boats per year.
Positioned for its official debut this fall, the Picnic Boat 39 has fast become the buzz of the boat industry. “We’re very excited about the launch,” says Hinckley CEO Gavin McClintock. “We found a way to make the 39 as pleasing to relax and entertain onboard it as it is to watch amble by in the harbor. That’s unique in our marketplace. Given a Hinckley’s shape — everything being curved — we had to be very clever. And I think we nailed it.”
THE EVOLUTION OF THE PICNIC BOAT
When the idea for the Picnic Boat was first pitched in the early 1990s, Henry Hinckley’s son Bob and the former Hinckley Co-Owner and CEO Shep McKenney were at the helm of the company. Their vision? A 36-foot-long boat that could easily take a family out on the water for the afternoon, to take in a yacht race or to cruise over to an island for a picnic. As for the design, function followed form. The boat needed to be technically advanced while still catering to both eight and 80-year-olds. The Picnic Boat debuted with a diesel engine, yet the jet drive was the game changer because it allowed for a shallow draft and easy operation. Put simply, the Picnic Boat could navigate waters that conventional boats could not. The fundamental building block of the initial Picnic Boat was the SCRIMP process, originally used to make windmill blades. By applying this innovation to boatbuilding, Hinckley created a stronger, lighter boat than ever before. And with the patented JetStick® control system, operation and maneuverability became a snap for anyone—regardless of their boating experience. Because the Picnic Boat was not constructed with drag components like a propeller, captains could explore in just 18 inches of water. This combination of breakthrough construction and effortless control changed the yachting industry forever.
THE VISION FOR THE NEW PICNIC BOAT 39
When designing the Picnic Boat 39, the original build and lines were honored, yet the reimagined model features forward seating and a layout perfected for entertaining. “We are really good at finding innovative and creative solutions on the design side,” McClintock says. “This results in creative boat packages, gathering spaces, and boat layouts — all to best cater to how our customers really use their boats.” To that end, the Picnic Boat 39’s layout is what makes it so distinct: Three separate but adjoined seating areas are handcrafted for multi-generational days with cherished family and friends — just like the original Picnic Boat. With easy access to the foredeck, mooring and docking are effortless, and gone are the days of side deck maneuvering. Additionally, a convenient, smart sliding window mechanism allows captains and guests to easily access the foredeck, resulting in fluid boat transitions. No sharp edges. No pesky folding doors. Only thoughtful engineering, on which Hinckley has built its name.
DETAILED INNOVATION
Equipped with Hinckley’s innovative JetStick 4® control system, the Picnic Boat 39 ensures seamless maneuvering in the most challenging conditions. Plus, integrated dynamic steering uses fly-by-wire technology to automatically adjust sensitvitiy based on speed. And maybe the best part? Docking is no longer the most stressful aspect to boating, thanks to the new Dockhold® feature that locks the Hinckley in place while a captain can confidently leave the helm and secure lines on the dock. (Many couples joke that Dockhold minimizes arguing time). As for the improved G-lock system, it holds the boat’s position and heading, so watching the start of a yacht race or toasting a sunset with guests is simple and fun.
“When we started designing the 39, there were several important aspects,” says Scott Bryant, Hinckley’s VP of Marketing. “First was the Hinckley DNA and the design language. We wanted to make sure the boat was in the family of original Picnic Boats from the mid-‘90s. So, from an appearance and ergonomic perspective, the boat has a lower profile compared to other Picnic Boats. While it has a classic shear line and stern profile, we wanted to bring it forward.” With that in mind, the engineers developed a single-curved windshield and a slightly flatter sheer line. Of top note, the seating is much more generous. “The forward seating matches how people want to lounge on their boat, versus the more upright seating of older boats.” Bryant adds. “It’s now truly accommodating a day on the water. We made sure every seat is the best seat in the house.”
As for the salon and socializing, it’s now easier to join conversations while running the boat. “As you move into the main salon area, we ensured the captain is part of the party with proper seating,” Bryant notes. “As a passenger, you know where to put your feet up properly, and the seat is raised slightly so you can see out the window. And having the galley in the middle of everything is something we do on most boats, yet with the 39 it’s even more pronounced — it’s spacious for someone to stand and be braced when the boat is moving.” The galley was also designed with extra storage space, so there’s plenty of room for a bar, an ice box, and refrigeration — all essential ingredients to a quintessential boat adventure.
Lastly, Hinckley’s shallow draft, the result of modern water jet technology, lets you easily navigate a favorite beach in the Bahamas or a remote cove in Maine. “Running a Hinckley feels intuitive,” Bryant says. “It has Volvo D6 inboard diesel power and the latest jets from the Hamilton HTX jet series. You’ll be just as at home on open water at 36 knots as in 36 inches.” With the Zero Draft of jet propulsion, the deep V is all captains must consider while slicing clearly through any conditions. Says Bryant: “All you have to do is focus on the moment.”
Click here to explore the new Picnic Boat 39.
