Newport International Boatshow Preview: Daychaser 48

The Barton & Gray Mariners Club does not actually build boats per se. The exclusively innovative membership club accomplishes and even harder feat. They manage over 80 yachts in the best marinas and most exclusive locations, so their members and friends can experience the magic, elegance and highly curated luxury of enjoying time on water without having to own a yacht.

However, since the club owns and maintains all those yachts that have delighted members on over 12,000 outings last year. And demand among members for the Barton & Gray-style of elevated-on-the-water experience has continued to grow. The club has added the brand-new, 48-foot-long Daychaser 48 (that was designed especially for them by Doug Zurn Yacht Design and built for them to custom quality standards by the high performance custom boatbuilders at Boston Boatworks) to its current fleet.

Since I’ve already been aboard a new Daychaser 48 (at several members-only events), I can report it is fast, comfortable, and drop-dead gorgeous. I can also tell you it provides ample space for socializing—from an expansive bar and lounge space on the bow to a full-on superyacht-inspired “beach club” on the stern for water sports and water access—that comes from the Barton and Gray team that knows what makes for a memorable day on the water.

But I’m especially excited to report that everyone will be able to see what this next generation luxury express cruiser is like now that one will be on display at the upcoming Newport International Boat Show.

Optimized for day and evening trips, the Daychaser 48′ boasts a massive open-deck plan with a walk-through windshield connecting three sheltered and open-air lounge areas while the below-deck space has been optimized for easy maintenance and storage

“Barton & Gray was clear from the start that this is a purpose-built vessel centered around entertainment at sea,” says Doug Zurn of Zurn Yacht Design. “I took that to heart in the design process and envisioned exactly how members would use each aspect of the boat. But this is truly a lion in lamb’s clothing. Under its beautiful exterior, this is a powerful boat with the capabilities of a military- or commercial-grade vessel.”

Approved by the Coast Guard, the Daychaser 48′ is powered by highly durable twin Cummins QSB 6.7 550-hp diesels married to Hamilton waterjets. The yacht control systems are custom joystick controls created by Barton & Gray to be more functional than recreational-grade controls. Rounding out the maritime systems are Seakeeper gyrostabilizers and Zipwake dynamic trim-control systems.

“Building the Daychaser 48′ is a perfect project for us and an absolute honor,” says Boston Boatworks Founder and CEO Scott Smith. “This felt like a seamless partnership, pairing Boston Boatworks’ 25 years of experience building best-in-class boats with Barton & Gray’s mastership in offering members one-of-a-kind experiences.”

But the Daychaser 48 is only one of the boats that Smith and the rest of the Boston Boatworks team will be talking about at the Newport Boat Show this year. They are also building the Boston Boatworks 44 that combines Doug Zurn’s refined aesthetic with the superyacht-level interior-design of London-based Winch Design and realizes this collaboration’s full potential through Boston Boatworks’ craftsmanship.

It’s an elegant, 44-foot-long express cruiser that’s designed for discerning cruising couples and families and guests who appreciate a safe, comfortable, functional ocean-worthy yacht that’s also well-appointed for enjoying day-use activities.

Boston Boatworks also has a Zurn-Winch Design 52-footer in the works. But take my advice. Go to the show and talk to company founder and CEO Scott Smith directly to find out more about that one! You’ll be so glad you did.

See you in Newport!