Sparkman & Stephens NEB Downeast Sedan

From the Designer

The hull form and appendages draw on the experience of Sparkman & Stephens in the design of fast, seaworthy motor yachts. Starting at the graceful sheerline, the hull shape draws on the Northeast tradition of working vessels intended to face the challenges of the sea. The forward topsides have an appropriate flare to keep the deck dry while running, while the aft topsides are drafted slightly outboard akin to a working vessel. Below the water, the hull form is a completely modern, chined planing hull, featuring a modified warp and aggressive buttock angles. The vessel is fitted with two moderately deep propeller tunnels whose shapes have been optimized to meet the owner's draft requirements while maximizing propulsive efficiency. The propellers are further protected by a centerline skeg that extends 6" below the propeller tips, yet still the boat has a draft of only 3 feet, 3 inches.

Hull and Deck

Hull and deck are both built of E-glass with epoxy resin, CORE-CELL foam core for added strength, low interior moisture and sound reduction. The hull is Light Grey AWLGRIP with red boot stripe and cove stripe and black bottom. Deck is White AWLGRIP with tan non-skid. A rub rail sits at shear level with stainless fender clips. The anchor locker features a fresh water wash down, and an aluminum bow rail with mooring cleats and chocks. Stainless steel dorade vents and handrails on the deckhouse provide ventilation and safety. A large 29-inch transom door opens to a 29-inch wide teak swim platform with removable hand rail, swim ladder, and hot/cold shower at transom. The aft cockpit is a desirable feature for entertaining, with oversized teak decking and three separate cushioned settees including an L-shaped settee to port seating for seven. An expandable telescopic table provides dining convenience with a built-in propane grille aft and lots of storage space below all the seating areas and in a large dedicated locker forward to starboard. An aluminum framed Bimini attached to a 4-foot salon roof overhang houses solar panels and protects the entire area from inclement weather.

Main Salon and Bridge Deck

Two steps up through the large aluminum sliding door you enter the fully enclosed 6-foot 8-inch height bridge deck. A fully equipped helm station to starboard features a newly refitted fixed brown leather fully adjustable Stidd helm chair with comfortable foot rests. Further aft are twin fixed captains chairs with entertainment console in-between, while across to port is a full length settee that converts into a double-berth 51 by 78 inches with coffee table that raises and folds out to convert to a dining table for six. A large flat screen TV drops down from the starboard overhead. The design is specified for 70 decibels at cruise speed. Ten above dome lights with red lighted option for night operations provide illumination, and the exterior views through the large windows are unencumbered.

Accommodations

A spacious owner's cabin is forward with a 72 by 62 inch centerline queen berth. Ambient light and ample air flow is provided by two dorades, five port lights, two large overhead hatches with shade and screens, along with multiple fans. A starboard side walk-in closet and mechanical room provides storage. A 2-inch thick mahogany door to port allows access to the head. A cabinet to port houses a flatscreen TV, and within reach of the berth are the stereo and air conditioning controls. A two-seat settee to starboard makes dressing in a seaway safer and easier. All below decks have 6-foot 4-inch standing height. The head compartment features an oversized half-round separate shower with glass door and matching blue tile counter-top on the large vanity, with storage beneath the vanity and at the pedestal bureau.

Recent Improvements

The vessel has undergone comprehensive maintenance and upgrades. A full 2000-hour interval service with all manufacturer service recommendations and maintenance was completed in 2025, including all coolers cleaned. Generator full service including gaskets and exhaust elbow replacement was completed in 2025. New propeller shaft seals were installed in 2025. The starboard aluminum fuel tank was replaced with a new ATL tank in 2025. New Mastervolt batteries for bow thruster, starter, and house were installed in 2025, along with a new Mastervolt 12 volt/2000 watt inverter. Additional recent upgrades include a KVH Trac Vision UHD7 for Direct TV (2023), ACR 2830 Globalfix GPS Epirb (2023), Furuno 220WX Ultrasonic Weather station (2023), Raymarine AP44 Autopilot Controllers (2023), VHF Marine Antenna (2023), and a Coastal Life Raft (2023).