The Hinckley Picnic Boat 39, designed by Doug Zurn, has been named Best New Boat Overall and Best New Powerboat Under 45-Feet at the 2025 Newport International Boat Show. The honors recognize a design that pairs timeless beauty with efficient performance, and underscore the model’s appeal to both powerboat enthusiasts and sailors intrigued by classic lines.
“This boat represents everything that makes boating special—timeless beauty and excellent performance, and an appreciation for the simple joy of sharing time on the water with family and friends,” said Doug Zurn, founder of Zurn Yacht Design. “To see it celebrated here in Newport, where deep boating tradition in America began, is truly rewarding.”
The Picnic Boat 39 builds on the Hinckley legacy, refining the series with updates to interior comfort, handling, and overall usability. With orders for 25 units before the first boat had even launched, the model has already generated significant excitement among buyers.
“This award is a testament to the passion of everyone involved,” Zurn added. “The design is a collaboration between the Hinckley Product Development Committee and Zurn Yacht Design, who worked closely to perfect the design. The Hinckley boatbuilders craft these boats to exacting standards, and the owners make them a part of their lives. The Picnic Boat 39 embodies that spirit with an unmatched combination of beauty and efficiency.”
For sailors accustomed to the lines and proportions of classic yachts, the Picnic Boat 39 offers a familiar aesthetic while providing the convenience and speed of a modern powerboat. The model exemplifies how thoughtful design can make a powerboat feel just as engaging and desirable as a sailing yacht, whether as a second boat or a potential introduction to motor cruising.
Zurn Yacht Design, established in 1993 in Marblehead, Massachusetts, has designed over 750 boats, both sail and power, and is renowned for creating vessels that balance performance, aesthetic appeal, and livability. The Picnic Boat 39 adds another chapter to that legacy, demonstrating that the traditions of yachting can seamlessly meet the innovations of modern marine engineering.
