In most boats today, the window area is a key to success. A friend of mine once said: “You don’t go boating to be inside”.   And I couldn’t agree more.

But I’d be the first to admit that sun protection and comfort are also of utmost importance.  That combination can be hard to deliver in a boat that is meant to leave the dock.

To that end, the Pilot 43 delivers volumes of window area inside.  Just as important: ventilation is superb.  In fact, the salon has two electrically operated moon roofs that come standard. They’re roughly three feet wide by six feet long.  Just like in a car, they let in light, fresh air and keep out unwanted nats.  Being inside feels just like you’re outside. 

Mainship 43 Pilot Sedan's Awesome Moon Roofs
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Three simple words describe my reaction to my first venture aboard … “This is Great!”

I happen to love downeast lobster boat styling and this boat fits the definition well. She is designed for extended cruising, her accommodations feature a forward stateroom with plenty of room to move around, a guest cabin/study worthy of stateroom status, a full galley and a spacious salon you can entertain in. All air conditioned for your comfort.

Mainship 43 Pilot Sedan's - A Wonderful Owner's Master Stateroom
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Mainship's 43 Pilot Sedan: 2nd Berth Accommodations

Mainship 43 Pilot Sedan - A Salon you can Live With
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With a beam of 15 ½ feet, Mainship’s Pilot 43 has a huge living space.  She even provides a separate washer and a dryer and a tub.  That’s far more living space than you’d ever expect.

High on my list of “want to haves” in my next boat is a back door that opens up wide to the outdoors.

Mainship’s Pilot 43 has a unique glass bulkhead between the salon and the aft cockpit.  It creates what can only be described as a light, airy indoor/outdoor entertainment-ready cruiser.  And that’s “Nice. Very Nice”

A Glass Aft Bulkhead Integrates integrates the Inside with the Outside
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I should point out that most boats in this size do not have a hard aft bulkhead, or if they do, they’re often quite expensive options.  A glass bulkhead of this sort might run around $18,500 on a typical 38 footer.  I don’t know what it would cost on a 43 footer but it comes standard on the Pilot 43.

My thoughts … ”That’s what I call a Good Value.”

Jim Krueger of Mainship said to me that in Mainship’s point of view … “Owners are going to use the boat in the South, and in the North and in Europe: The hard bulkhead is standard … so when it’s cold – the heater will keep you comfortable, and when it’s hot out… the air conditioning will keep you comfortable.  You should enjoy the benefits of the heat and the air …yet be able to walk right out to the cockpit and be outside.”

That’s what I call …”Understanding your Customer’s Needs and Meeting Them... Very Smart!”

Mainship's 43 Pilot Sedan provides an Open Galley with a View
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Although the layout is galley down, it’s completely open to the salon so you know what is going on when you’re in the galley. You can see the world around you.  The salon is high in the boat with unobstructed views out of the enormous windows,  …with an immediate access to the galley, … and with complete access to the outside deck.

Totally Social Environment Inside and Out

There’s a huge area for entertaining in the back, along with a great summer kitchen aft.  It comes complete with propane or electric grill, refrigerator drawer, ice maker and sink. 

Total versatility is the name of the game here. You can entertain both inside and out. Or, both at once.

That’s what I call …a
“Totally Social Environment.”

Mainship’s design goal was to develop a quality down-east styled boat built for a cruising couple in a 43 foot package that would cost what they would pay for a 39-foot boat. 

They succeeded well. 
And that’s what I call… the Key to Total Success.

Mainship 43 Pilot Sedan's Engine Room provides Easy Access
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Final Comments

Overall, here’s my thought on what makes the Pilot 43 a great cruiser:
 

1. The Mainship 43 Pilot provides extraordinary salon and cockpit space which is the direct result from its wide 15’6” beam.

2. Its power options include economical twin diesels from 370 to 540 hp, providing cruising speeds from 15 to 22 knots; speeds that should make the 43 Pilot Sedan a standout in the express yacht market!

3. The Pilot 43 delivers a boat with far more livability than any of their competitors in a similarly priced 38 and 39 foot range.

4. Best of all, the price and value delivered. We believe she delivers much more than a Good Value – She delivers a Good Lifestyle

Why pay for a 38-foot or 39-foot express cruiser when you can get a whole lot more for the same money with the all-new Mainship Pilot 43?   I can’t think of a reason.  If you’re in the market, make sure you check this one out!

We’re looking forward to getting away from the dock and doing a sea trial as soon as possible.  So, watch for more later.

The history of the Mainship Corporation dates back to the 1830's with a German immigrant by the name of Henry Luhrs. He became involved in the marine trade supplying ships in New York City. He eventually owned his own chandlery and even his own ship, The Sophia R.Luhrs. His grandson, another Henry, shared the same love of the sea and continued the family heritage by building and repairing boats on the New Jersey coast. About 100 years after his grandfather started his business, the younger Henry opened his; a small yard in Morgan, New Jersey. From these humble beginnings sprang a vibrant and thriving business called the Henry Luhrs Sea Skiff Company. As the business grew, Henry's sons, John and Warren, became involved and soon the company was producing over 1200 boats a year. In 1965, Bangor Punta, a huge timber conglomerate made Henry an offer too good to refuse and the company was sold.

The brothers, John and Warren, soon struck out on their own and formed Silverton Marine Corporation, the first of the Luhrs Marine Group of companies. Under the guidance of their father, the brothers were very successful. Warren, being an accomplished sailor, knew they could adapt their building philosophy to sailboats; and Hunter Marine was incorporated in 1973. Hunter is now known as the largest sailboat builder in North America.

The international fuel-crisis gave a huge wake-up call to boat builders, and John and Warren saw opportunity in building an economical, single diesel cruising boat that a family could afford. Mainship Corporation was formed in 1977 and soon outgrew the existing facilities. A new plant was built in Marlboro, NJ, and was home to Mainship until 1992 when it was moved to St. Augustine, FL. Over 1200 of the traditionally styled cruisers were built before Mainship began building a European inspired line of cruisers in 1988. The new boat line did well for several years, but Mainship's real destiny was to return to the trawlers that made them famous. In 1994, the first new Trawler, a 35' sedan, was introduced - and the market accepted the new breed with enthusiasm. Today, Mainship Corporation is the leading manufacturer of production trawlers, building 6 different models with many more on the drawing boards. Production is split between the St. Augustine facility it shares with the reacquired Luhrs Corporation and a new facility in Midway, GA.

Today, Mainship, along with its sister companies in the Luhrs Marine Group, is an employee-ownership company. This means that all employees want to share in the success of creating value and satisfaction for all the Mainship owners for years to come.