Wellington Yacht Partners currently has Uncharted, a GrandBanks 47 East Bay Flybridge, listed for $749,000. The 2007 Downeast-style flybridge yacht has a two-stateroom, two-head layout. A straight and stately sheerline and trunk cabin help to form the yacht’s timeless profile.

Sole-to-ceiling satin-finished teak, light tones and natural lighting give this 47-footer’s salon a warm, inviting atmosphere. Guests will find seating on both sides of the salon with two club chairs to starboard, separated by an entertainment center with a retractable flat-screen TV, and a three-person, L-shaped sofa with a folding coffee table to port. The lower helm station is to starboard with side-deck access via a door next to it, a great setup for shorthanded cruising. There is bench seating for companions to port.

Forward and down a few steps is the Grand Banks Eastbay 47 Flybridge’s galley, two staterooms and two heads. The galley is immediately to port with a U-shaped countertop, a convection oven/microwave, a sink, stowage, a cooktop and a top-loading refrigerator and freezer. Forward of the galley is the second head, which doubles as a day head. The forepeak owners’ stateroom has a centerline berth and an en suite head. The starboard guest stateroom has twin berths.

When it comes to outside space, the teak cockpit is a blank slate. Owners can add some loose chairs for sundowners with friends, or put a few rods in the rod holders and let the kids catch dinner. Then again, why choose?

Spiral stairs lead to the flybridge where there is an L-shaped sofa and fixed table set abaft the two-seat upper helm station. The flybridge can become an all-weather space by zipping shut its brand-new polycarbonate enclosure.

Twin 700 hp Caterpillar C12 diesels provide power for Uncharted giving it a reported 32-knot top hop. Yachting ’s original test of the Grand Banks 47 Eastbay Flybridge had the same engines and we reported, “The 47FB consumed just two gallons per mile, whether we were doing 14 knots or 25 knots, which gives a skipper some good choices.”

It’s worth noting that Uncharted‘s engines have just 985 hours on them.

Some notable features on this yacht include a new Freedom Lift (dinghy not included in sale), new Garmin electronics, a 2022 Grand Banks installed flybridge hardtop with lighting, 1,000 hour service on mains and generator completed, new after-cooler cores, new exhaust risers, new Poseidon interior window shades in salon, a new Yamaha entertainment system, a new ice maker, new flybridge upholstery, new salon upholstery, new exterior side and windshield mesh screens and three new air-conditioning compressors.

Read the Whole Story From the Yachting Archive: Grand Banks 47 Eastbay Flybridge

“So, it was a surprise in the mid-1990s when Grand Banks broke the traditional mold and introduced a series of New England-style express cruisers. To the marine world, it couldn’t have been more shocking if Rolls Royce had started building pickups or Moet & Chandon offered a diet cola.

Labeling them as Eastbay yachts originally was a good idea, separating the brands, but the company is now bringing them back into the fold as the Eastbay Series by Grand Banks. That’s an equally good idea at this point, because it helps underline some of the differences between the two lines while still emphasizing the heritage and quality of Grand Banks.” – Yachting, 2007

Where is Uncharted located? The yacht is currently lying in Coral Gables, Florida.

Take the next step: contact the team at Wellington Yacht Partners, wellingtonyachts.com

Quick Specifications:

• Length Overall: 47′
• Maximum Beam: 15′
• Fuel Capacity: 700 Gal.
• Draft: 3’ 9”

The post For Sale: Grand Banks 47 Eastbay Flybridge appeared first on Yachting.

Top Trawlers 

The following 15 trawlers are all vessels we’ve written about. They are listed in no particular order.

• Nordhavn 96: Built for an owner who desired to self-sufficiently while cruising the world, literally.
• Beneteau Grand Trawler 62: This trawler can travel nonstop for 1,000 nautical miles.
• Kadey-Krogen 52: This twin-engine-capable, all-oceans trawler is a solid fit for voyaging cruising couples.
• Bering Yachts B76: The B76 is the builder’s first fully custom trawler in this size range.
• Ranger Tugs R-43 Command Bridge: This vessel is equally comfortable at a 7-knot stroll or an 18-knot jog.
• Beneteau 48 Swift Trawler: Based on the builder’s Swift Trawler 47, this yacht has a resin-infused fiberglass hull.
• Kadey-Krogen 50 Open: The 50 Open can cruise at 6 knots nonstop for 5,000 nautical miles.
• Outer Reef 620 Trident: It has a three-stateroom layout and optional 600 hp Cummins diesels.
• Grand Banks 60 Skylounge: This yacht is efficient across a variety of cruising speeds.
• Krogen Express 52: Headroom to spare, two staterooms, a chef-ready galley and long range define this trawler yacht.
• Grand Banks 85 Skylounge: Grand Banks’ V-warp hull form makes for a level running attitude, seakindliness and long range.
• Vicem Yachts 82 Classic: Construction is in cold-molded, strip-planked mahogany with epoxy.
• Outer Reef 610 Motoryacht: Power on this Outer Reef is a pair of 500 hp John Deere 6090 diesels.
• Nordhavn 59 Coastal Pilot: Did someone say this is a 20-knot Nordhavn?
• Marlow 58E: A high level of customization and admirable performance are at the heart of the Marlow 58E.

Nordhavn 96

The Nordhavn 96 is the yacht builder’s second-largest yacht its 17-model fleet, which ranges from 41 to 120 feet length overall. (There is a new 112 on the drawing table.) The builder says the N96 is based on its earlier 86-footer with a 10-foot cockpit extension, which increases both main-deck, skylounge and below-deck volume. The N96 we reviewed was built by an owner who previously had an 86-foot Nordhavn, but with his plans for extended cruises to remote destinations, the 96 was the right size for his voyaging plans. In fact, since the owner took delivery of the boat, it has been on a continuous circumnavigation.

Quick Specifications

Beneteau Grand Trawler 62

Beneteau’s Grand Trawler 62 has 1,000-plus-mile range and 20-knot speed with twin 730 hp i6 MAN diesels. The Grand Trawler 62 is the builder’s flagship in its Trawler series, which also includes the Swift Trawler 35, Swift Trawler 41 Sedan,  Swift Trawler 41 Fly and Swift Trawler 48. Small touches set the Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 apart. They include sea rails on all lockers to keep stowed food and gear in place, leather-wrapped interior handrails for security in a seaway, and leather drawer pulls like those found on larger yachts. Long-range cruising accommodations include a full-beam master stateroom aft, a forepeak VIP and twin-berth guest stateroom. A Quick X3 gyrostabilizer helps mitigate any potential rocking and rolling on rough days.

Quick Specifications

Kadey-Krogen 52

The Kadey-Krogen 52 is the trawler-yacht builder’s smallest offering in its raised-pilothouse series, complete with a Portuguese Bridge. Owners can choose from either a two- or three-stateroom layout, and between a single-diesel engine or twin-diesel engines, for owners seeking redundancy. The standard engine is a 231 hp John Deere diesel. With the single-engine setup, draft is 5’5” and with twins it’s a shallower 4’6”. At 6 knots, range is an ocean-crossing 4,850 nautical miles. At 7 knots, it’s 3,300 nm. At 9 knots, it 1,700 nm. The builder states, “The entire Krogen 52 is built from only three molded pieces for maximized structural integrity. There are no additional secondary bonds or caulk joints that can inevitably cause issues. All deck and superstructures are cored and vacuum-bagged to maximize strength while minimizing weight.” Additionally, six longitudinal stringers enhance overall strength.

Quick Specifications

Bering Yachts B76

Lemanja is the first custom boat that Bering has built in this size range. The yacht is notable for its steel hull and aluminum superstructure, and for its 4,000-nautical-mile-plus range with its twin 404 hp Cummins QSL9 diesel engines. As rugged as the Bering 76 is built on the outside, it also offers homelike comforts in its skylounge inside, offering panoramic views out large windows surrounding the space. Sole-to-ceiling glass offers similar views in the open-plan salon. Accommodations are fox six guests in three staterooms with a master stateroom and two guest staterooms, plus crew accommodations. In addition to its traditional diesel engines, the B76 has a solar-rechargeable battery bank for hybrid propulsion.

Quick Specifications

Ranger Tugs R-43 Command Bridge

The Ranger Tugs R-43 Command Bridge is a long-distance cruiser with creature comforts. Our expert found the R-43 Command Bridge to be a solid candidate to cruise The Great Loop. We agree. Twin Volvo Penta IPS450 pod drives give the boat efficient low and high cruise speeds at 7 and 18 knots, respectively. For those that have work during their cruise, the R-43 Command bridge’s master stateroom is set up with an office with a desk. Long trips require extra stowage and a way to clean salty clothes, so on the R-43 Command Bridge there is a washer, dryer, auxiliary refrigerator/freezer and stowage under the dinette, which rises on electric rams. Voyagers who buy a R-43 Commander Bridge can opt for a Factory Delivery Experience, which is three days of instruction on Puget Sound, and includes in boat systems, handling and maintenance.

Quick Specifications

Beneteau Swift Trawler 48

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 48 has a 1,300-nautical-mile range at 8 knots, but can also speed away at 26 knots if the weather goes south in a hurry. Based on the builder’s 47-footer, the three-stateroom, two-head Swift Trawler 48 has a resin-infused fiberglass hull. Power is a pair of 425 hp Cummins diesels. The main-deck layout includes a galley aft setup, which is accessible to the cockpit. There, the seating and dining area can be fully enclosed, with tracks in place for side curtains. The helmsman is kept comfortable on long passages with a bolstered, pedestal bucket-style seat with a flip-up footrest. The Swift Trawler 48 we reviewed had upgraded 12-inch Raymarine HybridTouch displays (9-inch screens are standard).

Quick Specifications

Kadey-Krogen 50 Open

Designed for serious extended cruising, Kadey-Krogen Yachts 50 Open provides owners with amenities that will enhance those longer passages. The galley is fitted with a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, a four-burner Wolf range, a microwave and an optional dishwasher. Unlike in many trawlers and their traditional pilothouse design, the galley is located on the same level as the helm and salon. Belowdecks is the master stateroom amidships with two hanging lockers, 12 cabinets, additional drawers for stowage and an en suite head, shower and two sinks. Forward of the master is an office. The 50 Open’s hull has soft chines and a curved after end, much like the characteristics of a sailboat built for cruising. The result is an efficient hull form that provides a gentle landing into troughs when the sea gets a temper. This trawler can cruise at 6 knots for 5,000 nautical miles; 7 knots for 3,000 nautical miles; 8 knots for 2,100 nautical miles; and 9 knots for 1,200 nautical miles.

Quick Specifications

Outer Reef 620 Trident

Outer Reef Yachts 620 Trident delivers a three-stateroom layout and optional 600 hp Cummins diesels that allow this vessel to approach a top hop of 21 knots. Cruising speed is a little over 16 knots, burning about 34 gallons of fuel per hour at 2,750 rpm. The amidships master stateroom has 6-foot-8-inch headroom, a walk-in closet and a shower enclosed in smoked glass. In the forepeak VIP stateroom, there are seven drawers, a hanging locker, a 31-inch Samsung TV and 7-foot headroom. The portside guest stateroom can convert to an office, too. The aft galley has a U-shape countertop, a three-burner electric cooktop, a Bosch microwave and a Vitrifrigo refrigerator and freezer. Cherry, walnut and oak are the available wood options.

Quick Specifications

Grand Banks 60 Skylounge

It’s obvious after a quick peek inside the Grand Banks 60 Skylounge that the Grand Banks Yachts trademark external DNA is retained. The deck, cabin house and skylounge are all composed of infused carbon fiber, reducing weight aloft and creating a lower center of gravity. With twin 900 hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels, the 60 Skylounge can accelerate to 31 knots and cruise at about 25 knots. The 60 Skylounge can also travel up to 2,000 nautical miles at 10 knots on a 1,530-gallon fuel tank. Twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS1200s are also available.

Quick Specifications

Krogen Express 52

The Krogen Express 52 runs on twin 440 hp Yanmar diesels and can cruise at 8 knots for 1,680 nautical miles or at 16 knots for 500 nautical miles. Top hop:  22 knots. In the interior, Krogen Express has outfitted the 52 with a master stateroom and a guest stateroom. The former has a queen island berth, more than 7-foot headroom, hanging lockers and smaller cubbies to port and to starboard, and an en suite head with a molded fiberglass shower stall with a seat, a VacuFlush toilet and a granite countertop. A power lift elevates the berth and grants access to more stowage underneath. The Krogen Express 52’s salon has a 26-inch HD LED TV and a home-theater system, leather Stressless chairs to port and a built-in, L-shape settee to starboard. The galley boasts granite countertops, a three-burner Force 10 propane range with an oven, a refrigerator, a GE microwave oven, a deep Elkay sink and a pullout sprayer faucet. There is a Buff Ultraleather Stidd helm seat for extra comfort during long runs.

Quick Specifications

Grand Banks 85 Skylounge

The Grand Banks 85 Skylounge comes in at more than 87 feet length overall and displaces 108,000 pounds, with a 22-plus-foot beam and an air draft of just under 26 feet. Owners can choose either a three- or four-stateroom layout. The standard motors are twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS diesels, twin 1,300 hp MAN straight-shaft diesels are optional. With the larger engines, owners can also choose an optional stern thruster, in addition to the standard bow thruster. With the IPS diesels, top speed is 26.5 knots and fuel burn is 100 gallons per hour, resulting in a range of 699 nautical miles. At a 21-knot cruise speed, fuel consumption drops to 57 gph, and range climbs to 972 nm. At a 9-knot jog, fuel burn falls to 9 gph, and the Grand Banks 85 Skylounge can cruise nonstop for about 2,500 nautical miles.

Quick Specifications

Vicem 82 Classic Flybridge

The Vicem 82 Classic is a flybridge model built in cold-molded mahogany, which creates a stout hull form with reduced weight. The yacht is notable for its timeless Downeast lines and strong joiner work. For cruising enthusiasts, the Classic 82 Flybridge is powered with twin 900 hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels. The yacht has a top-end speed of 17.8 knots, and the cruising speed is 15 knots. At 9 knots, and considering a 10-percent fuel reserve, range is reportedly 1,100 nautical miles.  Accommodations three en-suite-equipped staterooms. The master stateroom is full-beam and amidships with a king-size berth is on centerline. The starboard-side guest stateroom and a forepeak VIP each have queen-size berths.

Quick Specifications

Outer Reef 610 Motoryacht

Built for an enthusiastic cruising couple after a three-year boat search, the Outer Reef Yachts 610 Motoryacht (part of the builder’s Classic series), was customized with a fore-and-aft berth in the owners’ stateroom (as in, not athwartships), and berths rather than bunks in the smaller of two guest staterooms. This Outer Reef 610 was designed to be used as a liveaboard vessel, so the salon is not set up for dining (there are tables in the pilothouse, on the aft deck and on the bridge). A pair of swivel chairs in the salon face the built-in couch and the pop-up TV to port. The 610 is built with hand-laid fiberglass, PVC coring above the waterline, resin infusion and a vinylester barrier coat against osmosis. Power is twin 500 hp John Deere 6090 diesels turning ZF transmissions. The 610 tops out at about 13.5 knots with full tanks and 21 people aboard. The engines burn 20 gph at 1,800 rpm for 11 knots at 45 percent engine load. Those numbers should allow it to cross oceans without shortening engine life.

Quick Specifications

Nordhavn 59 Coastal Pilot

Nordhavn has long been known for its stout circumnavigation-capable craft, and the Nordhavn 59 Coastal Pilot carries on the the tradition of a beefy build with addition of…speed. Twenty-knots-plus, actually. Twin 715 hp Cummins diesel inboards and a new semidisplacement hull form are said to be key to the performance equation. The Nordhavn 59CP has a 777-nautical-mile range at a 9.3-knot cruise, and a 255-nm range at its 20.3-knot top-end. Construction is a solid fiberglass hull bottom supported by full-length longitudinal stringers and a series of transversal supports for added backbone. High freeboard should keep the decks dry in a seaway, while rails keep the crew secure during transits. Nordhavn says the 59CP has a “CE category A unlimited offshore rating, ensuring the vessel has the seakeeping and strength capabilities to take on most serious coastal cruises up to 1,000 miles.”

Quick Specifications

Marlow Yachts 58E

Following on the successful Marlow 57, the Marlow 58E was started from scratch on a blank sheet of paper. The essence of the 58E is that it has better performance and more internal and external volume than her predecessor. The centerline length grew 10 inches over the 57, but the waterline length increased 16 inches and the beam widened 4 inches. If you were to examine the two boats out of the water, you would see more bell-shaped forward sections making for a soft impact with the vee’d portion. Power options start with twin 575 hp Caterpillar C9 diesels, but the 58E we got aboard had beefier twin 1,015 hp Caterpillar C18 diesels. Top speed: 27.9 knots. At 8 knots, the Marlow 58E can cruise nonstop for 1,400 nautical miles.

Quick Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a trawler yacht?

A true trawler typically has a full-displacement hull form and robust construction to handle open-water operation, and it’s designed to operate self-sufficiently for long periods of time. They are slow-cruising vessels, but over the years, hybrid yachts called fast trawlers have emerged to offer displacement-speed operation as well as the ability to run at planing speeds when desired.

What is a full-displacement hull form?

A displacement-hull form is known is for its rounded nature and deep draft. Full-displacement vessels do not plane on the water, but rather push through the water. This hull design makes displacement-hull vessels incredibly seakindly, but it also makes them relatively slow (think 5, 6, 7, 8 knots) when compared to semidisplacement- and planning-hull designs.

Is a long-range cruiser the same as a trawler?

While all trawlers are certainly long-range cruisers, not all long-range cruisers are trawlers. True trawlers will have full-displacement hull designs and not all long-range cruisers have them.

The post Top 15 Trawlers for 2023 appeared first on Yachting.

I looked around the flybridge of the Grand Banks 85 Skylounge and counted 14 people as the yacht cruised comfortably at around 21 knots just off the coast of Cannes, France. There was room to spare on this deck inside and out, with an L-shaped lounge, a Vitrifrigo ice maker, and a drawer fridge and freezer creating an alfresco oasis with ocean vistas.

Grand Banks CEO Mark Richards was at the bench-style helm seat forward and to starboard, with a view of three Garmin multifunction displays illustrating all mission-critical data on board the yacht and beyond the bow. He had unobstructed sightlines through three gently raked windows. The sky lounge’s retractable roof was open, the side windows were open, the aft door was open, and the cross breeze coming off the salt was downright balmy.

It was quite a memorable moment as I got to know the Malaysia-based builder’s new flagship. In sheer size and scope, the Grand Banks 85 makes a statement. This yacht comes in at more than 87 feet length overall and displaces 108,000 pounds, with a 22-plus-foot beam and an air draft of just under 26 feet. It’s a formidable cruiser.

It’s also eminently warm and inviting. The teak-sole cockpit can be accessed by stairs flanking the transom off the full-beam, integral swim platform, which can stow a 14-foot AB Inflatables Alumina tender with a 40 hp outboard. (The tender can also stow aft on the sky-lounge deck, and be launched via davit.) In the cockpit, a bench seat is set against the transom, and loose chairs fill out the alfresco dining area for six or more. The entire area is protected from the elements by the sky-lounge overhang.

A door off the cockpit to port provides access to the salon, where an abundance of glass in the 85 Skylounge’s superstructure creates a bright interior. The salon’s 7-foot headroom enhances the sense of volume. There is a U-shaped settee to starboard, forming a guest conversation nook, with two barrel chairs to port. A walkway to port leads up an 8-inch step from the salon, providing access to the formal dining table for six guests to starboard.

The main-deck interior has a relaxed feeling, created via natural light coming in from the nearly 360 degrees of windows, through indirect lighting, and from the use of satin-finish teak. Standing in the salon, I had an unimpeded view from the cockpit door through the windows forward on the port side.

There’s an open-style, reverse-angled stairway to port, leading to the sky lounge, while a bulkhead forward of the dining space to starboard separates the galley. Since this is a yacht that will likely have crew, the galley is set up for chef-level meal prep with a Miele oven, a four-burner electric cooktop, a Panasonic microwave, a Liebherr fridge and freezer, a Nespresso machine and a nearly 18-inch-deep, pull-out pantry for serious summer-cruising provisions. There is also a docking station located here with side-deck access to starboard via a pantograph door.

Five steps down from the salon and galley is a landing with access to a day head with a shower stall, which is a precursor to the accommodations spaces. Owners can choose from several three- or four-stateroom setups. This owner chose to give up a full-beam master stateroom and instead get an additional stateroom for his grandkids. The layout of this amidships master includes an en suite head to port with his-and-hers sinks. There is also an average 6-foot-9-inch headroom, a 42-inch Sony TV, two closets, a table with seating forward of the berth, and a cleverly concealed piano. (Yes, a piano.)

In the full-beam layout, the head is set abaft the berth, and there is a walk-in closet that’s also abaft the berth, to port.

The grandkids’ stateroom—next to the master and to port—has two bunks. There is also a forepeak VIP with an en suite head. Abaft that VIP and to starboard is the fourth guest stateroom, with twin berths and an en suite head.

Two crew cabins, a crew mess, a galley and a head are aft with engine-room access. Owners have choices for engines too: The standard motors are twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS diesels, but owners can also have twin 1,300 hp MAN straight-shaft diesels. With the larger-engine option, owners can also choose an optional stern thruster, in addition to the standard bow thruster.

Some other notable options include a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, Victron solar panels for the flybridge hardtop, a passerelle, Garmin electronics, KVH satellite and a 23-bottle wine chiller.

This 85 Skylounge had the IPS diesels, which provide a top hop of 26.5 knots, according to the builder. At top speed, fuel burn is 100 gallons per hour, resulting in a range of 699 nautical miles. At the vessel’s 21-knot cruise speed, fuel consumption drops to 57 gph, and range climbs to 972 nm. At a 9-knot jog, fuel burn falls to 9 gph, and the 85 Skylounge can cruise nonstop for about 2,500 nm.

A timeless exterior design, today’s technology, and a hull form penned for seakindliness, efficiency, comfort and performance make the Grand Banks 85 Skylounge a thoroughly modern yacht ready to take adventurous cruisers waypoint-hopping until they feel like stopping. Or not.  

Shallow-Water Access

The Grand Banks has a 4-foot-11-inch draft with Volvo Penta IPS diesels, and a 4-foot-1-inch draft with straight-shaft MANs. In either scenario, the yacht is primed for the Bahamas, cruising and exploring with the ability to access most anywhere an owner may want to go. This is a great trawler for the island hopper.

Built for Blue Water

The Grand Banks 85 Skylounge has an infused, foam-cored, E-glass hull, with the deck and superstructure built via infused carbon fiber. According to the builder, all bulkheads and furniture are also structurally bonded to the hull, enhancing overall strength even further.

The Range

The 85 Skylounge is Grand Banks’ largest model, but the builder also offers 54- and 60-foot flybridge or sky-lounge yachts, as well as 44- and 60-foot Eastbay express cruisers. All these models run on the same V-warp hull form.

Serious Seakeeping

Under CEO Mark Richards, Grand Banks has implemented its patented V-warp semidisplacement hull design across its fleet, including this 85-footer. Starting with a fine entry, the deadrise transitions with notable flare amidships, which helps “roll water away” from the hull’s surface. Farther aft, the deadrise reduces to 6 to 8 degrees, adding stability and lift, and resulting in a vessel with little to no bow rise when throttling up. The hull design also enhances overall performance and efficiency, and leaves a flat wake. 

Take the next step: grandbanks.com

The post Reviewed: Grand Banks 85 Skylounge appeared first on Yachting.

It’s been almost two decades since the phrase “quality time remaining” became our mantra. To us, QTR doesn’t mean we will live to be 100 years old; rather it reminds us how much time we have left to do the things we love to do. It’s our reminder to live each day as though it’s our last.

My husband, Bob, and I met through boating many years ago in San Diego. He was a former naval aviator, a longtime boater and a commercial airline captain at the time. I was working in the marine industry selling advertising into national boating publications, and sailing and racing as crew on other people’s boats.

One of the first things we did after we got married was join the San Diego Yacht Club and partner with friends in the ownership of Sunshine, a 1985 Brewer 42-foot pilothouse cutter. We loved that boat. Swinging on the hook was our favorite thing, and being on board was our happy place.

We sailed Sunshine along the Southern California coastline to Catalina Island, the Channel Islands and parts of Mexico, and did a lot of bareboat chartering. We chartered in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Tahiti, Greece, Croatia and Sardinia, and we made three trips to the Pacific Northwest. Friends always joined us on these trips—which made the charter surprisingly inexpensive—and we all enjoyed our amazing adventures. Discovering a new place by boat has always been our favorite vacation.

Our first bareboat charter in the Pacific Northwest was in 2005 on a Grand Banks 36, where we joined the annual Mother Goose Cruise to Alaska, led by NW Explorations in Bellingham, Washington. Because we were both still working and had limited time, we went only as far north as Desolation Sound, the largest marine park in British Columbia. That was enough for us to fall in love with the area and to whet our appetite for what was to come. They say that you can cruise the waters of the Pacific Northwest your whole life and never see it all, and we believe it. The seed was planted, and we knew we wanted more.

We did two more bareboat charters in the region—one on a sailboat in 2013 and another on a Grand Banks 42 in 2016. By 2016, we were both retired, and it was on that cruise that we made the decision to sell our partnership in Sunshine and buy a powerboat for cruising. Although we are sailors at heart, we both agreed that a Grand Banks would be the perfect boat for us. Not only is it a lot less work than sailing for folks our age; it’s also more practical in the Pacific Northwest, where the wind is sporadic, at best. You can stay comfortable, warm and dry, all the while taking in the amazing views.

In December 2016, we fulfilled our dream and bought a 1990 Grand Banks 46 Classic in Seattle. We named it Grand QTR, and it has indeed been that. We have been having the time of our lives.

We found a slip in Sidney, British Columbia, a charming little town that has everything we need just 17 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. From San Diego, we can take an early-morning flight up through Seattle, into Victoria, and be on board Grand QTR by lunchtime. It’s the ideal location, with easy access to both the Canadian Gulf Islands and the U.S. San Juan Islands. Beautiful views of Mount Baker are visible from Sidney. There are so many great harbors from which to choose, and all are so close by. Bob loves the challenge of navigating the waters and continually checking the tides, currents and weather, while I am always on “log watch” (and whale watch) when underway.

Our first two seasons on board were spent exploring our new backyard, with friends and family joining throughout the summer. By then we had two grandsons (we now have three), and we’ve found that there’s nothing more fun than sharing this incredible experience with family. We all love Grand QTR. Handrails and walk-around room outside the entire boat keep it safe for grandkids and grandparents alike, while the spacious main salon provides 360-degree views and plenty of room for entertaining.

During our first season, the highlight was a trip to Chatterbox Falls, where we cruised 50 miles up the gorgeous fjords of Jervis Inlet, through the Malibu Rapids at slack tide, and into Princess Louisa Inlet—a trip that had been on our bucket list. It is one of the most amazing places on Earth. There’s no cellphone service or Wi-Fi, only the pristine beauty of Mother Nature at her finest. It’s one of many places in these waters that can be accessed only by boat or seaplane. For us, just being there was a spiritual experience.

The highlight of our Pacific Northwest cruising seasons was our summer cruising in 2019, when we buddy-boated up the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, Alaska, with our Sidney slip mates. They were on their 2014 Kadey-Krogen 44, Mana Kai. Traveling with them made for a safe and fantastic journey. It was the trip of a lifetime for us, traveling 3,200 nautical miles over five months. The cruising grounds are pristine, breathtaking and nothing short of spectacular. The farther north you go, the more beautiful it is and the more wildlife you encounter. Seeing orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, otters, eagles, ravens, herons and bears is always a thrill. The Misty Fjords, like Glacier Bay National Park, was another spiritual place we will never forget.

When COVID-19 prevented us from getting into Canada in 2020 and 2021, we had NW Explorations deliver our boat to Bellingham and spent both of those summers cruising Washington state. We rendezvoused with Mana Kai and Water Dog, another Kadey-Krogen couple (and their two dogs) we met during our 2019 cruise to Alaska. Cruising with them, we had two fantastic, COVID-safe, Dungeness-crab-filled summers. Stunning views of Mount Rainier are a highlight of cruising in south Puget Sound, and visiting with friends and family who live there makes it even better. The diversity of the island hiking, along with a few online yoga classes, helped keep us in shape while cruising. We’re looking forward to getting back to British Columbia. There’s lots more to explore.

As long as it’s still fun, and as long as we’re in good health, we hope to continue living this dream. Not only is Grand QTR our happy place, but it’s also become our safe place. And with no TV on board, it’s a real escape for us. Floating someplace beautiful with people you love—that is QTR.

Finding Community

We attended the annual Grand Banks Rendezvous in Roche Harbor, San Juan Island, Washington, in 2018 to kick off our second cruising season. We enjoyed the seminars, met like-minded cruisers, and reconnected with old friends from the boating industry, which made it feel like home. From there, we slowly cruised up the east coast toward Vancouver Island and into the majestic Broughton archipelago. Most of the marinas in the Broughtons have happy hours where cruisers bring food to share with fellow cruisers. It’s fun, and you meet a lot of interesting people that you see again down the road. It really adds to the QTR, as does the delicious seafood that’s plentiful at the get-togethers. Our cruising season is usually May through September, so for us, it is a four-to-five-month vacation every year.

Take the next step: grandqtr.com

The post From Sailboat to Powerboat: The Dream Fulfilled appeared first on Yachting.

Grand Banks Yachts has made a deal to acquire land in Stuart, Florida, that will expand its footprint with 13,000 more square feet of land and a built-up area of about 2,864 square feet.

The property has berthing for as many as nine boats. It’s currently a private residence opposite the Grand Banks yard in Stuart, Florida, that serves as the company’s U.S. headquarters.

Grand Banks says the acquisition will allow it to service more boats at the same time. The $1.9 million deal will be paid through a $10,000 deposit, about $500,000 more at closing, and $1.4 million paid over a period of 15 years starting in July 2024.

The deal is expected to be completed Dec. 12.

“Grand Banks has built a strong reputation as a reliable boatbuilder, and providing top-quality service and support to our customers is especially crucial when selling luxury motoryachts,” CEO Mark Richards stated in a press release. “The acquisition of 458 SW Salerno Road will further strengthen the group’s image and branding as a premier luxury yacht builder, build a strong foundation for us to enhance our services and generate new revenue streams, which in turn adds long-term value for shareholders.”

What boat brands does Grand Banks build? In addition to the Grand Banks line, the company also builds Eastbay and Palm Beach brands in Malaysia.

Where to learn more: visit www.grandbanks.com

The post Grand Banks Is Expanding appeared first on Yachting.

Grand Banks’ 72 Aleutian was made for long-range cruising in comfort. The iconic boatbuilder offered the 72 in RP and SC versions; the latter replaced the cockpit with a covered aft deck. Here, there’s a teak table for eight and stairs that lead to the swim platform. 

The 72 we got aboard had a four-stateroom, three-head layout with a full-beam master. Top speed was 23 knots, and range was 1,000 nautical miles at 10.7 knots with 1,015 hp Caterpillar C18 ACERT diesels. 

At press time, five 72 Aleutians were available, ranging from $1,545,000 to $3,495,000.  

From the Archive

“While jumping down to the floating dock, I looked up toward the imposing bow and realized that this was indeed a little ship. Her looks were timeless, and the attention to detail was what we’ve come to expect from this nearly 55-year-old builder. You package this together with a thoughtfully designed coastal cruiser, and  it’s safe to say that this is a  worthy addition to the Grand Banks family.”

— Yachting, September 2010

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It’s been almost two decades since the phrase “quality time remaining” became our mantra. To us, QTR doesn’t mean we will live to be 100 years old, rather it reminds us how much time we have left to do the things we love to do. It’s our reminder to live each day as though it’s our last.

My husband, Bob, and I met through boating many years ago in San Diego. He was a former naval aviator, a longtime boater and a commercial airline captain at the time. I was working in the marine industry selling advertising into national boating publications and sailing and racing as crew on other people’s boats.

One of the first things we did after we got married was join the San Diego Yacht Club and partner with friends in the ownership of Sunshine, a 1985 Brewer 42-foot pilothouse cutter. We loved that boat. Swinging on the hook was our favorite thing, and being on board was our happy place.

We sailed Sunshine along the Southern California coastline to Catalina Island, the Channel Islands and parts of Mexico, and did a lot of bareboat chartering. We chartered in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Tahiti, Greece, Croatia and Sardinia, and we made three trips to the Pacific Northwest. Friends always joined us on these trips—which made the charter surprisingly inexpensive—and we all enjoyed our amazing adventures. Discovering a new place by boat has always been our favorite vacation.

Our first bareboat charter in the PNW was in 2005 on a Grand Banks 36, where we joined the annual Mother Goose Cruise to Alaska, led by NW Explorations in Bellingham,Washington. Because we were both still working and had limited time, we went only as far north as Desolation Sound, the largest marine park in British Columbia. That was enough for us to fall in love with the area and to whet our appetite for what was to come. They say that you can cruise the waters of the PNW your whole life and never see it all, and we believe it. The seed was planted, and we knew we wanted more.

We did two more bareboat charters in the PNW—one on a sailboat in 2013 and another on a Grand Banks 42 in 2016. By 2016, we were both retired, and it was on that cruise that we made the decision to sell our partnership in Sunshine and buy a powerboat for cruising the PNW. Although we are sailors at heart, we both agreed that a Grand Banks would be the perfect boat for us. Not only is it a lot less work than sailing for folks our age, it’s also more practical in the PNW, where the wind is sporadic, at best. You can stay comfortable, warm and dry, all the while taking in the amazing views.

In December 2016, we fulfilled our dream by buying a 1990 Grand Banks 46 Classic in Seattle. We named it Grand QTR, and it has indeed been that. We have been having the time of our lives.

We found a slip in Sidney, British Columbia, a charming little town that has everything we need just 17 miles north of Victoria on Vancouver Island. From San Diego, we can take an early-morning flight up through Seattle, into Victoria, and be on board Grand QTR by lunchtime. It’s the ideal location, with easy access to both the Canadian Gulf Islands and the US San Juan Islands. Beautiful views of Mount Baker are visible from Sidney. There are so many great harbors from which to choose, and all are so close by. Bob loves the challenge of navigating the waters and continually checking the tides, currents and weather, while I am always on “log watch” (and whale watch) when underway.

Our first two seasons on board were spent exploring our new backyard, with friends and family joining throughout the summer. By then we had two grandsons (we now have three), and we’ve found that there’s nothing more fun than sharing this incredible experience with family. We all love Grand QTR. Handrails and walk-around room outside the entire boat keep it safe for grandkids and grandparents alike, while the spacious main salon provides 360-degree views and plenty of room for entertaining.

During our first season, the highlight was a trip to Chatterbox Falls, where we cruised 50 miles up the gorgeous fjords of Jervis Inlet, through the Malibu Rapids at slack tide, and into Princess Louisa Inlet—a trip that had been on our bucket list since our first cruise to the area. It is one of the most amazing places on Earth. There’s no cellphone service or Wi-Fi, only the pristine beauty of Mother Nature at her finest. It’s one of many places in these waters that can be accessed only by boat or seaplane. For us, just being there was a spiritual experience.

The highlight of our PNW cruising seasons was our summer cruising in 2019, when we buddy-boated up the Inside Passage to Glacier Bay, Alaska, with our Sidney slip mates. They were on their beautiful 2014 Kadey-Krogen 44, Mana Kai. Traveling with them made for a safe and fantastic journey. It was the trip of a lifetime for us, during which we traveled 3,200 nautical miles over five months. The cruising grounds are pristine, breathtaking and nothing short of spectacular. The farther north you go, the more beautiful it is and the more wildlife you encounter. Seeing orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, otters, eagles, ravens, herons and bears is always a thrill. The Misty Fjords—like Glacier Bay National Park—was another spiritual place we will never forget.

When COVID-19 prevented us from getting into Canada in 2020 and 2021, we had NW Explorations deliver our boat to Bellingham and spent both of those summers cruising Washington state. We rendezvoused with Mana Kai and Water Dog, another Kadey-Krogen couple (and their two dogs) we met during our 2019 cruise to Alaska. Cruising with them, we had two fantastic, COVID-safe Dungeness-crab-filled summers. Stunning views of Mount Rainier are a highlight of cruising in south Puget Sound, and visiting with friends and family who live there make it even better. The diversity of the island hiking—along with a few online yoga classes—helped keep us in shape while cruising. We’re looking forward to getting back to British Columbia this summer for season six. There’s lots more to explore.

As long as it’s still fun, and as long as we’re in good health, we hope to continue living this dream. Not only is Grand QTR our happy place, but it’s also become our safe place. And with no TV on board, it’s a real escape for us. Floating someplace beautiful with people you love—that is QTR.

For more details about Grand QTR’s cruising adventures, visit grandqtr.com.

The post A Cruising Dream Fulfilled appeared first on Yachting.

The Grand Banks 54 is the fifth and latest model in the Malaysia-based builder’s range. At just over 60 feet length overall, it’s the new entry-level yacht in Grand Bank’s GB series. Designed for comfort and long-range cruising, the Grand Banks 54 can perform in a seaway.

The ride starts with the GB 54’s composite construction techniques. Its hull is fully infused fiberglass, and the decks and the superstructure are made of infused carbon fiber. This, says Grand Banks, lends itself to a lower center of gravity for the 54, making it more stable when underway.

Standard power for the GB 54 is twin 725 hp Volvo Penta D11 diesels, and there’s an option for twin 725 hp Volvo Penta IPS950s. Reported top hop: 29 and 33 knots, respectively; reported cruising speed and range: 10 knots (1,200 nautical miles) and 21 knots (388 NM), respectively.

Owners can choose a two- or a three-stateroom layout. Hull No. 1 of the GB 54 has two staterooms, which has the galley-down option, too. In this setup, the master is amidships and to starboard, with an en suite head that has a walk-in shower. There’s a forepeak guest stateroom, too, that has access to the portside day head.

The galley is to port and opposite the master. Included in the galley are an electric induction cooktop, a Miele speed oven, a single-drawer dishwasher, an Isotherm DR160 Inox refrigerator, teak stowage, a stainless-steel sink and overhead LED lighting.

In the three-stateroom, galley-up layout, the master is moved to the forepeak, and its en suite, private head is to port. Two double guest staterooms are amidships, with the starboard-side accommodation having private access to the day head to starboard. These staterooms are separated by the on-centerline walkway.

In both layouts, the main-deck salon has L-shaped seating with a dining table to port. This settee, which can seat at least six, converts to a berth. In the galley-up option, there are two loveseats in a fore-and-aft arrangement to starboard and abaft the double helm seats. Here, the galley is to port and adjacent to the main-deck helm station.

Aft on the covered cockpit is a four-person settee served by a dining table. To starboard, there are stairs that lead to the hardtop-covered flybridge. A counter with a sink is to port.

Both layouts have the same flybridge layout. Forward of the stairs is a counter with a sink. Then, there’s L-shaped seating for six with a dining table to port. The helm station here is centrally located, and there’s a companion seat to starboard. All the way aft is a davit and space for a 10-foot tender, according to Grand Banks.

The Grand Banks 54 will be on display at boot Düsseldorf in Germany in January 2022.

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Some yachts put up a thin veneer of seakeeping confidence, stout construction materials and quality machinery. Those yachts are the opposite of the Grand Banks 54.

On this boat, where I might expect to find a facade, I instead encountered the real deal. Solid-teak mullions. Solid-teak soles. Watertight engine-room bulkheads. An air-conditioning system that doesn’t merely circulate cool air but instead creates a potent breeze. Magnetic catches so strong, they’ll never let the doors fly open in a seaway.

Resins are all epoxy vinylester. Virtually all parts of the vessel, including the hull, are vacuum-infused to minimize weight while maximizing strength. The deckhouse and superstructure are carbon fiber, ensuring structural integrity while lowering the center of gravity. And the 54′s salon furniture is all structurally bonded and fiberglassed into place, eliminating the creaks and groans that bolted-in furniture inevitably make when lesser yachts are subjected to serious seas.

Everything I saw walking through the Grand Banks 54 illustrates actual strength and serious intelligence in construction.

The 54 is the kind of yacht that begs for a ride in the rough stuff, but unfortunately, I didn’t have challenging conditions when I ran it. My time aboard was on a relatively calm Chesapeake Bay. There was quite a bit of boat traffic and thus plenty of wakes to run into and roll over—or so it would seem.

Between its 8-degree transom deadrise, warped semidisplacement hull form, and Humphree interceptor and stabilizer system, the 54 cut through 2-footers with virtually zero effect. Paralleling other boat wakes and taking them on the beam produced a similar absence of any response.

And—surprise—unlike the Grand Banks models of yore, the 54 can probably keep up with the sport cruisers out there on the water. Powered with twin 725 hp Volvo Penta D11 diesel inboards, the 54 broke 27 knots, and that was with full loads of fuel (898 gallons) and water (290 gallons). The builder says it has seen 30-plus-knots with a lighter load. Cruising at 1,800 rpm, the yacht made 18.7 knots and maintained 0.5 nmpg. Even though this hull can get up and go, it’s still efficient at displacement speeds. Idle at 600 rpm to take a 5.2-knot cruise for a range of 2,604 miles. That means owners could make a 12-day trip from Kennebunkport, Maine, to Key West, Florida, and arrive with enough fuel to putter around for another 1,000 nautical miles or so.

For owners who want to go a bit faster and run even more efficiently, Grand Banks says the 54 can be powered with Volvo Penta’s IPS950s, though the builder says the straight-shaft version runs smoother. For many long-distance cruisers, a smooth cruise is a big perk. This boat is not only comfortable but also surprisingly quiet; the engine room is insulated with 2 inches of Sorberbarrier AGC soundproofing. Sitting at the helm at all speeds, I found vibration and sound levels far below what I expected.

On a yacht of this nature, of course, I do expect to enjoy a comfortable cruise whether I’m watching the wheel from the double-wide helm seat, lunching at the L-shaped six-seat dinette, stretching out on the starboard-side settee, or digging my toes into the sisal carpet. This comfort level is also found on the flybridge. The forward half the 54′s flybridge has Stidd helm and companion seats, a dinette, and a wet bar. (The after half is dedicated to a davit and tender.) I looked closely at the beefy stainless-steel frame around the entry and noticed that every screwhead in the frame was aligned in the exact same orientation.

Veneers? Facades? Those are nice-looking but are superficial ornaments. I can find those things on plenty of yachts, but they would be anathema aboard the Grand Banks 54. This yacht is the real deal, through and through.

Walking the Walk

The nicest thing about walking from bow to stern on the Grand Banks 54 is how safe I felt. Not only are the side decks ringed with stout rails, but they’re so wide that I could stand sideways with size 12 shoes and still have 2 inches of wiggle room left over.

Function and Form

The engines aboard the Grand Banks 54 are farther forward than on many yachts, to keep the weight centered and balanced. As a result, there’s an open area between the powerplants and machinery space. Stainless-steel rails line the compartment, so owners can use the area for bulk stowage while the hydraulics and steering gear remain protected. For easy access to the machinery, Grand Banks mounts the rails on quick-release pins.

Owner’s Choice

To provide owners with customization options, Grand Banks offers the 54 in galley-up and galley-down arrangements. In the galley-up version, there are three staterooms belowdecks, with the master forward and guest staterooms to port and starboard. With the galley-down version, there are two en suite staterooms, both with queen-size berths.

Take the next step: grandbanks.com

The post Reviewed: Grand Banks 54 appeared first on Yachting.

Grand Banks has long been known for sweetly lined boats with sure-running hulls. And some of their models have become immediately recognizable classics. Surely that is the aim with the new 54, which would have debuted at the Palm Beach International Boat Show.

The 54 comes in both skylounge and flybridge versions, depending on the climes in which owners prefer to use their vessel. Notably, two galley layouts are available, one up and one down, depending how much privacy the owner desires when preparing food and dining. Most of the interior is finished in golden, blended teak sourced from renewable sources.

The 54 has a warped semi-displacement shape that is modeled after the hulls seen on ocean-racing sailboats. The fine entry splits rough seas with ease, while soft curves at the midsection usher water away with little slapping of the hull. There is also only 8 degrees of deadrise at the transom. This hullform is remarkable for the size of the wake it leaves behind, which, even at high speeds, is quite small. And this hullform is very efficient too. At a respectable 25-knot cruise speed the Grand Banks 54 burns 57 gph.

A good place to enjoy that 25-knot cruise is at the bridge helm which features twin Stidd helm chairs, options for navigational equipment and excellent sightlines. Aft of the helm is wetbar, electric barbecue and seating for passengers. There is also a davit that can handle 1,000 pounds, and a 10-foot-long, outboard-powered tender that rests on a custom cradle.

When the Grand Banks 54 does make her actual debut, we expect that she will be just as seaworthy and well loved as many of Grand Banks’ other fine offerings.

For more information, visit: grandbanks.com

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