Walk down any salt-crusted pier from Milton, New Hampshire, down to the Florida Keys, and you’ll see that distinct profile. The high bow. The graceful, sweeping shear line. It’s a Downeast look that feels like it belongs in a black-and-white photograph from the 1950s, yet these boats are being cranked out right now. If you’re hunting for Eastern boats for sale, you’re basically looking for a piece of maritime history that refuses to go out of style. Honestly, it’s refreshing. In a world of plastic-looking, over-engineered center consoles that look like spaceships, Eastern Boats keeps things fundamentally simple.
They’re built in Milton. It’s a small town. You can feel that "made in a shed" DNA even in their biggest 30-footers. They don't have the flashy marketing budgets of the big conglomerate brands, but they have a cult following that’s borderline obsessive.
What You’re Actually Buying (And What You Aren't)
Most people looking at Eastern boats for sale expect a soft, cushy ride like a deep-V offshore regulator. Stop right there. That’s not what this is. These are hard-chined or semi-displacement hulls. They are designed to "skitter" over the top of the chop or slice through it with a fine entry. You’ll feel the water. It’s an intimate experience.
You’re buying efficiency. While your neighbor is burning 30 gallons an hour in a triple-engine beast just to get to the fishing grounds, an Eastern 248 with a single 150hp outboard is sipping fuel. It’s a boat for people who actually like to watch the shoreline and don't feel the need to do 60 mph everywhere.
The build quality is "New England Rugged." This means easy-to-clean cockpits, functional scuppers, and a distinct lack of useless cup holders. They use a grid system for stringers that makes the floor feel like a sidewalk. It’s solid. There is a reason you see so many 1990s models still hitting the used market for surprisingly high prices. They don't rot away easily.
The 18 to 22 Foot Sweet Spot
If you’re just getting into the brand, the 18 Center Console is the gateway drug. It’s basically a bigger version of the classic Roth Bilt or a refined skiff. It draws almost no water. You can nose it right into a sandbar in the Chesapeake or tuck into a marsh in Maine.
Then there’s the 22. This is arguably their most famous hull. It comes in a few flavors: the Center Console, the Sisu, and the Lobster. The Sisu 22 is legendary. Originally designed by Royal Lowell—who is basically the godfather of Downeast hull design—the Sisu has a following that’s almost religious. It has a tiny little cabin. You can't live in it, but you can hide from a rainstorm or let the kids take a nap. It’s the ultimate "picnic boat" for people who hate the word "picnic boat."
Common Pitfalls When Buying Used Easterns
Don't just jump at the first 24-footer you see on Craigslist. Because these boats have been around for decades, the older ones (pre-mid-90s) might still have wood in the transoms or decks. Eastern moved toward composite construction, but you have to check the specific year.
- Check the deck for "bounciness." If it feels like a trampoline, walk away.
- Engine pairing matters. Some older Easterns are underpowered because people tried to save money on the original purchase. A 24-foot Eastern with a 115hp engine is going to struggle when you have four adults and a cooler full of ice.
- The "Sisu Hook." Some owners swear that certain older Sisu hulls have a slight "hook" in the stern that helps them get on plane faster but can make them "bow steer" in a following sea. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something you should feel during a sea trial.
Honestly, the used market for Eastern boats for sale is tight. People hold onto them. When a clean 278 Tournament comes up, it’s usually gone in a week. You have to be fast.
The Transition to Modern Power
One of the coolest things about Eastern is how they’ve adapted to modern outboards. Back in the day, many of these were inboards or I/Os. Now, almost everything they make is optimized for a single outboard.
Why does this matter? Maintenance.
If you’ve ever had to crawl into a cramped engine box to change an impeller on an inboard, you know the pain. With an Eastern, the engine is hanging off the back. Easy. It also opens up a massive amount of cockpit space. For a guy who likes to fish or a family that carries a lot of "stuff"—paddleboards, coolers, dogs—that extra floor space is gold.
The Seaway Connection
You might see "Seaway" mentioned in the same breath as Eastern. That’s because Eastern Boats actually owns the Seaway brand. They are built in the same facility. While the Eastern line is a bit more utilitarian and traditional Downeast, the Seaway models tend to have a bit more "flare" in the bow and a slightly different hull shape. They are blood relatives. If you can’t find the specific Eastern you want, look for a Seaway 24. It’s a phenomenal boat with a very similar soul.
Why the Resale Value Stays So High
It’s simple supply and demand. Eastern doesn't mass-produce 5,000 boats a year like Sea Ray or Tahoe. They are a low-volume builder. This means there isn't a glut of them on the market.
Furthermore, the style is timeless. A 20-year-old Eastern looks almost identical to a brand-new one to the untrained eye. You don't get that "outdated" feeling that happens with more modern, swoopy boat designs.
I’ve seen 10-year-old Eastern 248s sell for only 20% less than their original MSRP. That is insane for a boat. Boats are usually depreciating assets, but Easterns behave more like Airstream trailers. They bottom out at a certain price point and just stay there as long as the engine is running.
Real World Performance Expectations
If you're looking at Eastern boats for sale, you need to be realistic about speed.
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Most of these hulls are happy cruising at 20 to 24 knots. Can you push them to 30? Sure, if the water is glass. But these boats are designed to be efficient and comfortable at moderate speeds. If your goal is to win a poker run, you’re looking at the wrong brand.
But here is where they shine: the "snotty" days. When the wind picks up and the chop gets square, the Eastern’s sharp entry cuts through it while the big, wide-beamed boats are slamming and rattling your teeth. You’ll be the one making steady progress while everyone else is throttled back to a crawl.
Practical Next Steps for Your Search
Stop scrolling through generic national listing sites for a minute and get local. Because Eastern is a New England brand, the best deals and the most inventory are often found in smaller regional pockets.
- Check the "Great Bay" area of New Hampshire. Since the factory is in Milton, there is a high density of these boats in the surrounding waters. Check local marinas in Dover and Portsmouth.
- Join the Owners Groups. There are several unofficial Eastern and Sisu owners groups on social media. People often post their boats there before they ever hit a broker’s website. You can ask for the "real dirt" on a specific hull year.
- Inspect the fuel tanks. On older models, the aluminum fuel tanks were sometimes foamed in place. Over thirty years, that foam can trap moisture against the aluminum and cause pitting. If the boat is from the early 90s, ask if the tank has been replaced or pressure tested.
- Sea trial in the "wrong" weather. Don't test an Eastern on a calm day. Wait for some wind. You want to see how much spray comes over the bow (they can be a bit wet, which is why many have those nice hardtops) and how it handles a cross-wind.
The search for Eastern boats for sale is often a lesson in patience. You aren't just buying a hull; you're buying into a specific philosophy of boating. It's about the journey, the fuel economy, and the look of a boat that actually looks like a boat. Keep your eyes on the New England classifieds, bring a moisture meter to the inspection, and be ready to move fast when a clean Sisu 22 hits the market.