Hinckley Reveals Flagship Picnic 45 at Palm Beach

The iconic Hinckley Yachts has introduced the all-new Picnic Boat 45, expanding upon its long-running Picnic lineup with a new flagship design.

The vessel made its public debut at the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show in West Palm Beach, Florida. While still true to Hinckley's classic Downeast style, the new Picnic 45 showcases the latest evolution in design while still balancing the company's longstanding traditional style that's central to the brand.

The new model carries an LOA of 49'11" with a 15' beam and a 2'7" draft. She carries a large fuel capacity of 500 gallons, with a 100 gallon freshwater tank. Power will come via twin Volvo Penta D11 725 inboards paired with Hamilton waterjet drives, producing a total of 1450 horsepower.

According to the company, the Picnic 45 represents "the most socially considered vessel Hinckley has ever built—crafted with a level of detail and precision that is unmistakably Hinckley."

The model builds on the established Picnic Boat platform, which first debuted with the Picnic 36 back in 1994. The layout and overall concept has always emphasized ease of use, social spaces, and jet-driven propulsion systems.

At 45 feet, the new model becomes the largest in the Picnic range and will serve as the flagship for the lineup, which already includes 37, 39, and 40-foot options.

The added space provided by the longer hull allows owners to prioritize their guests, with expanded entertainment areas and improved flow between the cockpit, bow, and swim platform.

The cockpit is available in three different configurations depending on owner preference, including layouts focused on dining, lounging, or entertaining. Standout features include a central bar, wraparound seating, and an aft sun lounge, while the bow area incorporates additional seating designed as a quieter space separate from the main social zones.

One of her most notable new features is a multifunction swim platform at the stern. The platform can be lowered to create a water-level terrace when at anchor and raised to form a set of boarding steps when docked, providing flexible access to and from the vessel.

Below deck, the Picnic Boat 45 allows for capable and easy overnighting, with two cabins, a head, and storage areas intended to support both day trips and short-term cruising.

The twin Volvo Penta D11 diesel engines with Hamilton HTX30 waterjet drives will deliver an estimated top speed of approximately 40 knots and a cruising speed of around 34 knots, meaning capable performance in bigger water - an expected feature from Hinckley. For those unfamiliar with the brand's powertrains, the waterjet propulsion system eliminates an exposed running gear, enabling shallow draft operation and contributing to overall maneuverability.

The Picnic 45 will also come equipped with Hinckley’s 'JetStick 4' control system, a joystick-based docking and handling technology that allows lateral movement and precise low-speed control. The 'Virtual Anchor' holds the boat's position anywhere — no chain, no concern. 'Dockhold locks the boat in place at the dock so the captain can step off to secure lines with full confidence. 'G-Lock' holds both position and heading, keeping the boat steady while you move about onboard to complete any task.

The boat was developed by Michael Peters Yacht Design, one of boating's most renowned designers with a portfolio spanning multiple well-known and treasured models across several brands.

As one of North America's longest standing private boatbuilder, Hinckley, founded in 1928 in Maine, will continue to build the Picnic 45 using composite construction techniques paired with traditional finishing methods. Each vessel is assembled by a team of shipwrights and craftsmen, with construction processes that include advanced digital technology alongside traditional woodworking. The new 45 will feature a Carbon E-glass composite hull with a vinylester resin E-glass deck.

You can get the first look at the Picnic 45 from the company's launch event at the Palm Beach International Boat Show below:

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