Design and Construction
The Explorer has a fibreglass hull and a long-keel underwater profile. She measures 58 feet 7 inches overall, with a 41-foot waterline and a beam of 19 feet 8 inches. Displacement is a substantial 53,300 pounds.
Those figures place her firmly in heavy-displacement cruising territory. Her displacement-to-length ratio of 321 means she can carry plenty of cruising gear without noticeably affecting her waterline. The long keel and hefty ballast give her the foundations of a sturdy offshore vessel. Period assessment describes her as a heavy, sturdy sailboat able to handle rough seas and strong winds.
Rig, Power, and Handling
The masthead ketch rig has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 15.3. In practical terms, she needs a stiff breeze to get moving, and motor-sailing is the sensible answer in light air.
She isn’t quick or agile, but she is reliable and comfortable. Hydraulic steering makes her easy to manoeuvre in close quarters, while a single John Deere diesel of up to 135 horsepower provides useful power when the sails need assistance.
Her capsize screening formula of 1.7 marks her as a safer candidate for ocean passages than a boat scoring above 2.0. A comfort ratio of 44.6 places her motion in a seaway alongside that of a heavy bluewater cruiser, with well-damped pitch and roll.
Accommodations
Below, the Boothbay Explorer is arranged for extended living afloat. The standard layout has a spacious saloon, galley, navigation station, and four cabins.
The aft master cabin includes a double berth, settee, vanity, and ensuite head. Forward, the main cabin provides a V-berth, hanging locker, and head. Two guest cabins each have upper and lower berths, drawers, and lockers.
Alternative layouts were also offered. A three-cabin version replaces the forward V-berth with two single berths, while a two-cabin version gives up the guest cabins in favour of storage.
Performance Underway
The same heavy hull that makes the Explorer a capable load carrier also defines her sailing character. She isn’t an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but comes into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.
Together, the seakeeping figures and long-keel form describe a boat that trades speed for steadiness and predictability as the weather deteriorates.
Verdict
The Boothbay Explorer is a scarce, thoughtfully appointed bluewater ketch, built in tiny numbers by Hodgdon Bros. She asks for wind and rewards patience, providing a stable, well-found platform for long passages rather than quick coastal hops.
Pros
- Heavy-displacement, long-keel hull built for offshore work
- Comfortable, well-damped motion and strong capsize resistance
- Four-cabin interior with flexible alternative layouts
- Hydraulic steering and a 135 HP John Deere diesel for manoeuvring and motor-sailing
Cons
- Needs a stiff breeze; sluggish and not agile in light air
- Only five were built, so finding one is difficult
- Better suited to ocean passages than coastal cruising
