ARCHIMEDES - BACK COVE FOR SALE

Back Cove 29 — Classic Downeast Elegance with Modern Confidence

Classic looks with modern systems, the Back Cove 29 continues to be one of the hottest boats on the market—an American-built icon that blends timeless Downeast lines with contemporary engineering and comfort. Launched in 2005 and lying in the United States, this 29-foot express cruiser captures the essence of coastal yachting: purposeful, handsome, and effortlessly easy to own and operate.

Sculpted from robust fiberglass on a deep‑V hull, the 29 delivers a dry, composed ride, tracking true and carving confidently through a chop. Power comes from a single Yanmar inboard diesel, prized for efficiency, torque, and longevity. Expect an easy 20‑knot cruise with the legs to sprint to approximately 26 knots when the horizon calls, supported by a generous 150‑gallon fuel capacity for real coastal range. The 10‑foot beam contributes to excellent stability at rest and underway, while the hull’s refined running surface provides the reassuring seakeeping that Downeast owners demand.

The helm deck is bright and inviting, with excellent sightlines and intuitive controls—an ideal space for long passages or relaxed afternoon harbor tours. Thoughtful seating encourages conversation underway, flowing naturally to the cockpit where wide side decks, secure coamings, and a clean, uncluttered layout speak to the brand’s seamanlike DNA. Whether you’re hosting friends for a sunset cruise or loading up for a weekend escape, the deck plan manages both with ease.

Below, warm joinery and tasteful finishes create a welcoming retreat. The convertible V‑berth transforms from a spacious lounge to a comfortable double for overnights, complemented by ample stowage for gear. A well-equipped galley—complete with sink, refrigeration, and cooking capability—pairs with a private head to make extended weekends entirely practical. With a 30‑gallon freshwater supply and efficient systems throughout, this pocket yacht is as sensible as it is stylish.

Quiet, economical, and beautifully built, the Back Cove 29 is a quintessential coastal cruiser: equally at home as a dayboat, weekender, or compact motor yacht. For discerning buyers seeking a classic Downeast express that balances performance, efficiency, and enduring good looks, this 2005 example presents a rare opportunity to own a proven favorite in the category.

Downeast. Express Cruiser. Coastal Cruiser. Weekender. Pocket Yacht. Deep‑V Fiberglass. Diesel Inboard. Single‑Screw. Classic.

Description

ARCHIMEDES is a finely kept and thoughtfully optioned example of the ever-popular Back Cove 29 Hard Top, finished in a dark blue Awlgrip hull that turns heads alongside a purposeful specification. Her optional equipment suite includes a Garmin 7612 MFD, a 4 kW Garmin Fantom 18-inch radar, autopilot, custom cockpit seating, an anchor windlass, and more, all curated to elevate ease of ownership and time on the water. Beneath the waterline she is confidently modern, with a deep‑V hull, prop recess and standard trim tabs delivering a supple, composed ride. The upgraded 315 hp, 6‑cylinder Yanmar diesel pushes her to 26 knots at the top end and settles into a relaxed mid‑twenties cruise, while a SidePower bow thruster makes close-quarters maneuvering an effortless pleasure. Practical and beautiful in equal measure, the Back Cove 29 has earned its reputation as far more than an ordinary boat. With over 200 built and very few appearing on the brokerage market, ARCHIMEDES presents a rare opportunity that will not linger.

Accommodations

Warm and inviting, the varnished cherry interior frames a convertible dinette with a hi‑lo table featuring a maple inlay, facing a generous V‑berth with a filler cushion and convenient shelves above. An ash hull ceiling and a classic teak‑and‑holly sole set a timeless tone, while overhead lighting and three stainless‑steel opening ports with screens keep the cabin bright and airy. A cedar‑lined hanging locker, abundant storage below the dinette and forward berth, and a stereo system with CD feeding both interior and helm speakers make life aboard as organized as it is enjoyable. The galley is intelligently arranged with an Origo alcohol/110V single‑burner stove, a sink with single‑lever faucet and drop‑in cover, a solid‑surface countertop and matching countertop cabinet, a built‑in microwave, and dedicated drawers and lockers beneath for tidy stowage. The private head is finished with a built‑in vanity and sink, a solid‑surface counter, mirror, pull‑out single‑lever faucet/shower, and a shower drain and pump system. An electric toilet connects to a holding tank with monitor, complemented by a macerator for overboard discharge and a deck pump‑out fitting, while a stainless‑steel opening port with screen and a vent fan ensure proper ventilation. A focused reading light serves the dinette and berth area to complete a space designed for real cruising.

Mechanical

A Yanmar 6LYA‑STP 315 hp diesel paired to a ZF 63A marine gear shows 700 hours as of January 2026 and is managed via a smooth single‑lever control feeding an engine panel with alarms and an hour meter. A deep inventory of ship‑ready details includes an emergency crossover switch, an internal sea strainer and fuel filter, dedicated engine‑room lighting, a 1.5 Aquamet shaft turning a four‑blade bronze propeller through a dripless shaft log, and electric trim tabs. Steering is precise with a tilting helm, pump‑driven hydraulic system, while hot‑and‑cold pressurized water is provided both by 110V and engine heating. The SidePower bow thruster with joystick delivers 88 pounds of thrust for confident docking. Below the waterline, Marelon sea valves serve all underwater thru‑hulls, and fuel is carried in a welded 150‑gallon aluminum tank with a 2‑inch fill. Safety and utility are enhanced by a Fireboy extinguisher system and a macerator with overboard discharge.

Electrical

Power management is comprehensive, starting with a combined AC/DC control panel with polarity indicator, DC system battery‑management switching and dedicated DC breakers for electronics. Shorepower arrives via 110 VAC, 30‑amp service with a 50‑foot cord set, protected by a galvanic isolator and supported by a 40‑amp AC‑to‑DC converter/charger. House capacity is delivered by two Group 31 batteries new in 2026, with a single Group 31 engine start battery also new in 2026. Systems support includes two 12 VDC bilge pumps, a 12 V outlet at the helm, a bonding system with zinc anode, LED cockpit courtesy lighting, and GFI‑protected 110 V circuits for peace of mind.

Hull/deck

Built on Back Cove’s white iso‑NPG gelcoat, the hull and deck benefit from multiaxial E‑glass reinforcement, vinylester backup resin, vacuum‑bagged Divinycell coring in the running surfaces, and encapsulated foam stringers—an advanced prop‑pocket hull design that is as strong as it is efficient. The walk surfaces feature molded Graystone contrasting anti‑skid, with port and starboard molded steps accented by a teak stripe. The main salon enjoys two Lewmar #44 overhead hatches with screens and four Schmidt opening portlights with screens, while a clear anodized aluminum windshield with side vent panels and integral handrails is swept by three wipers. Navigation visibility is enhanced by an illuminated Ritchie compass, LED running lights, and a horn. Ground tackle includes a stainless‑steel Manson 25 lb primary anchor on a stainless anchor roller with approximately 24 feet of chain and 150 feet of rode, plus a 15 lb plow‑type secondary anchor with rode, all served by an anchor locker and complemented by a windlass. Mooring is straightforward thanks to generously sized cleats with skene chocks forward, aft, and at the springline, and a 1‑inch 316L stainless‑steel bow rail adds security on deck. At the helm, two captain’s seats face an L‑settee to port with backrest, and aft the self‑bailing cockpit features custom seating and a cockpit refrigerator. A swim platform with swim ladder invites the water, with a hot‑and‑cold cockpit shower for rinsing off. Finishing touches include an Awlgrip boot top to complement the dark blue Awlgrip hull.

Navigation equipment

Navigation is centered on a Garmin 7612 XVS touchscreen GPS/chartplotter paired to a Garmin Fantom HD 18‑inch radar for crisp situational awareness, supported by a Raymarine autopilot to ease the miles and an Icom VHF to keep you connected.

Additional

Thoughtful cruising touches abound, including an aft pilothouse canvas enclosure, custom cockpit seating with a spare cockpit seat and cushion, and a swim platform dinghy lift alongside the swim ladder. Deck gear is sensibly rounded out with seven fenders, seven dock lines, and simple necessities like a hose and bucket.

Safety

Safety equipment is complete and ready, with an EPIRB, a rescue throw bag, eight PFDs, and the requisite horn, flares, navigation and courtesy lights, backed up by two fire extinguishers.