The new Hinckley Yachts Picnic Boat 45 was recently unveiled at the Palm Beach International Boat Show

Hinckley Yachts

I remember when Hinckley Yachts launched their first Picnic Boat in the mid-1990’s for two reasons: One, I’m an old sailor from New England. And two, having a classic American sailboat builder unveil an instant-classic powerboat (that was about to create a whole new genre of extremely popular powerboats), was very, very big news to the brand-new, wide-eyed sailing journalist I was back then.

The rest as they say, is history. And no brand I know of pays more homage to their history than Hinckley Yachts. However, even something as iconic and as successful as Hinckley’s Picnic Boat line needs a refresh from time to time. And now that the Picnic Boat 45 was introduced at the Palm Beach International Boat Show last week, it appears the time for a new Hinckley Picnic Boat that retains the soul and style of the original, with tech and design innovations of today, has come.

“The Picnic Boat has never been just a yacht; it represents a distinctly Hinckley way of being on the water,” Gavin McClintock, Chief Executive Officer of Hinckley said at the launch. “For decades, it has defined a style of boating centered on ease, elegance, and time shared with friends and family. With the Picnic Boat 45, we’ve evolved that icon into our most social design yet, expanding the spaces where people gather while preserving the effortless handling and timeless lines that make a Hinckley unmistakable.”

As McClintock says, the new model reimagines how guests gather by introducing expanded entertaining spaces and a seamless flow between cockpit, bow, and swim platform. The result pairs Hinckley’s well-known design language and the hand-built craftsmanship that defines every Hinckley with purposeful innovations that make hosting, cruising, and time together on the water feel more natural than ever.

Across the deck, a series of carefully considered spaces create natural moments for gathering and relaxation. The aft entertaining area can also be configured to allow the cockpit layout to be tailored for dining, lounging, or hosting guests. Of course, the elegant bar paired with a forward-facing lounge, and a wraparound settee forms a natural center for conversation and an expansive sun lounge extends the atmosphere of leisure aft.

But the most notable change is in the bow that provides integrated seating to transform the bow into a quiet retreat away from the onboard activity. Below deck, two comfortable cabins, a spacious head, and generous storage provide flexibility for both spontaneous day excursions and longer escapes.

Now, since I write about superyachts, my fist impulse is to describe the “beach club” at the stern. But, it’s much more accurate to describe how the large swim platform can transform that part of the boat into a private waterfront terrace. However, in true superyacht style, the swim platform can operate as a raised staircase at the dockside or the whole the platform can lower to create an inviting space where swimming and getting back on board is easy.

Below the waterline, the Michael Peters Yacht Design hull features dual 725-hp Volvo Penta diesel engines that power dual Hamilton HTX30 waterjets to deliver an estimated top speed of approximately 40 knots and a cruising speed of 34 knots.

Now, call me crazy but, I’m not the only one who thought the time was ripe for a new Picnic Boat. In fact, I bet quite a few veteran Hinckley owners ordered the new Picnic Boat 45 as soon as it was introduced last week. Stay tuned.