More of this Feature • Part 1: Mainship 430 • Part 2: Mainship 430 continued • Mainship 430 Specs • Mainship 430 Deck Plan • Mainship 430 Acceleration Curve
Related Resources • Boat Test Index
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Before stepping aboard the new Mainship 430 Trawler, I asked marketing director Chip Shea if he would like me to remove my deck shoes. Smiling, he replied, "No, don't worry about it. If you need to take off your shoes, you're on the wrong boat!" In retrospect, I realize that simple remark captured the essence of Mainship's new 43-footer. Comfortable and attractive without being fussy, she was built to be used and enjoyed, not simply admired at dockside. And she's loaded with features that should make maintenance and provisioning hassle-free.

Mainship has offered the 430 in a three-stateroom layout for some time, but dealers were finding that a growing number of customers wanted a more spacious, open floor plan, rather than maximum sleeping accommodations. The two-stateroom layout I tested is Mainship's response to that demand, offering a versatile, open saloon that's as comfy as a family room. One key element here is the use of free-standing modular furniture, rather than the customary built-in settee and dining table. Our test boat's saloon was furnished with a double sofa on the port side, opposite a dining table and four matching barrel chairs to starboard. But because each piece is modular, owners can move the dining table to port, nearer the galley, if they prefer. Mainship can also substitute a pair of easy chairs in place of the sofa. Regardless of the configuration you choose, all seating surfaces are covered with luxurious but durable, easy-to-clean UltraLeather.

To maximize the saloon's spaciousness, Mainship put the galley forward on the lower deck, in place of the third stateroom. But the result is more split-level than the typical cave-like galley-down arrangement. The galley sole is raised, so the chef can always be at eye level with folks seated in the saloon and thus part of the conversation. Thanks to the galley-down arrangement, there's room for a full-size (11-cubic-foot) refrigerator/freezer that you don't have to stoop over to reach into. There's also room to mount the microwave oven at eye-level above the stove, so it doesn't take up precious counter space. But none of these eye-level conveniences block the flood of natural light that streams in through the large windows along the sides and front of the saloon.

I was especially impressed by two of the galley's features. The first is a cozy counter with two stools--perfect for a quick breakfast or a light snack--separating the galley and the saloon. Just high enough to keep the galley's working surfaces out of view from the saloon, the counter is within easy reach of the galley and low enough to keep the chef from feeling isolated.

The second feature is more pragmatic and largely out of view, but one that will be greatly appreciated by whoever is in charge of lugging provisions aboard and then packing them away. Beneath hatches in the galley sole and the saloon sole just aft of the aforementioned breakfast bar are stowage racks for a half-dozen large removable plastic bins (yes, the bins do come standard) that can be used to easily transport goods on and off the 430 as well as to stow them in.

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