Walkthrough: Back Cove 390 v 372 Outboard v Inboard Shootout!

This week we take a look at a couple of down east cruising twins. The Back Cove outboard powered 390 and her sister the diesel inboard powered 372. Both of these boats offer great cruising amenities and down east craftsmanship! The 390 is the second outboard offering from Back cove coming on the heals of the 340 which was introduced two years ago as a sister to the popular 34 foot model.
Back Cove is diversifying its lineup by appealing to those who prefer outboard power over traditional inboard diesel engine for for boats in this segment. The outboard powered 390 offers greater speed and sport boat like handling while trading off efficiency and the clean lines of inboard power. Filling the transom with triple 400 hp Mercury Verados also limits boarding access and the ability to carry a dinghy.
Which ever model you like, both will take you to cruising destinations and days of family fun!
Visit our website: cruisingcalypso.com
+ Support us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/cruisingcalyp...
+ Follow on Instagram: / cruising_calypso
+ Follow on Facebook: cruisingcalypso
We love the ocean and boating! We cruise in our 2001 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge, Calypso II, on the South Coast of Massachusetts and Cape Cod and the Islands. Join us on our adventures - we share favorite ports and places to visit, favorite boating products, and how-tos.
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+ Our current boat - Calypso II, a 2001 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge:
In 2019, we wanted a new boat that was bigger and had a longer range, so we targeted 40-footers with diesel power to achieve both of these goals. With our criteria and budget, we searched for a diesel-powered Sea Ray 400 Sedanbridge 2001 or newer. After scouring the Internet we found a boat on the Chesapeake Bay which would become Calypso II.
+ Specs - 2001 Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge:
• Length: 40 feet
• Beam: 14 feet
• Draft: 4 feet
• Fuel: diesel 350 gal
• Power: 2 Caterpillar 3126 inboard straight-shaft turbocharged diesel engines 350hp each
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+ Dinghy
2021 North Atlantic Inflatables, 9" 8" Aluminum RIB
Tohatsu 8Hp outboard motor
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+ Where we cruise:
Calypso II is moored in Sippican Harbor in Marion, MA - in Buzzards Bay. We use our boat to explore the islands, ports, coves, and harbors of this amazing place.
For overnight boating, we often head to Cuttyhunk Island, Martha’s Vineyard Island or Nantucket Island, off the coast of Massachusetts. In 2021, we plan to head to Maine to explore some of the beautiful harbors and ports of Southern and Mid-Coast Maine.
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+ Our commitment to the sea:
Because we enjoy boating and the fun it brings our family, we are committed to protecting the bays, harbors, and oceans we cruise on, as well as the ones we dream about. Starting with following no-discharge rules, not using disposable plastic bottles, and only using biodegradable products on Calypso II, we try to do our part to preserve this invaluable resource.
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Join us on our adventures - we share favorite ports and places to visit, favorite boating products, and how-to's.
Subscribe to this channel, visit our website cruisingcalypso.com and follow us on Instagram cruising_calypso.

[@BradArringtonBoating]

Correction to the hull design of the 39o. That model is not based on the hull of the BC 37 / 372. The 39o is a clean-sheet design intended for outboards. The 34o was indeed based on the inboard-based BC 32 with a hull extension aft. BC modified the 32 hull to reduce development costs and get a faster time to market with their first outboard model. This helped them test the waters of outboard propulsion without spending on a clean-sheet design and tooling. It was popular enough to warrant going all-in on a new design and tooling for the 39o. Good assessment of the trade-off between outboard and inboard - the inboard will likely remain the go-to for longer-range boaters.

[@CruisingCalypso]

Thank for the information. Do you prefer the outboard or inboard design?

[@BradArringtonBoating]

@@CruisingCalypso I greatly prefer the inboard package. I like it for the clean transom, ability to carry a dinghy, big swim platform, and - very importantly - fuel efficiency. I’m happy with a cruise speed of 26-27 mph; I’ll take that with an average of 1.3 mph on my Back Cove 37.

[@michiganengineer8621]

I've always like the look of the "down-east" style cruisers and either one of those would fit my wish list for a Loop capable boat that could also do the Bahamas (maybe not to Bermuda though LOL). The 390 would be just about perfect if it was equipped with triple Cox CXO300 diesel's.

[@CruisingCalypso]

Thant would be quite the f=rig! best of both worlds!