a sailor`s legacy vintage appeal new 50 eastbay cruising

Transcription

Spray
The Magazine for Owners & Enthusiasts of Grand Banks Yachts
Tom
Tom&&Betsy
BetsyWhidden’s
Whidden’s55
55Eastbay
EastbaySX,
SX,
NorthLight,
NorthLight,off
offNewport,
Newport,Rhode
RhodeIsland
Island
A SAILOR’S LEGACY VINTAGE APPEAL NEW 50
EASTBAY CRUISING SCANDINAVIA RAW
ADVENTURE NEW LIFE FOR OLDER BOATS
ANNUAL PRINT EDITION
Official Magazine for
Grand Banks Owners & Enthusiasts
+
ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE
K I W I COMMUNIQUE
ANGEL MAN & DAV IES
NEWS FROM THE FACTORY
GB MODEL GUIDE & MORE
Take boating to the next level.
Cummins advancements in diesel technology give recreational boaters the freedom to cruise farther, enjoy a
smoother, quieter ride with virtually no fumes and experience a level of power and fuel economy never before
realized in diesel power. Whether you enjoy day cruises with your family, season-long excursions or sport
fishing in the islands, you can count on Cummins power for maximum reliability, performance and safety.
1-800-DIESELS
www.cumminsengines.com
CELEBRATING
40 YEARS
WWW.AWLGRIP.COM
• PREMIER YACHT FINISHING SYSTEMS
• TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP
• SERVICE EXCELLENCE
• AMERICAN HERITAGE
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF OUR PREFERRED LOYALTY PROGRAM?
Applicators and Boatyards - Contact your Awlgrip sales representative today
TO ALL OUR AWLGRIP CUSTOMERS
THANK YOU!
Spray
14 COMPANY NEWS & EVENTS
Updates from Grand Banks Yachts on new models, the yard
in Johor, Malaysia, dealer news, and much, much more.
26 DOWNEAST DOWNRIGHT SEXY
“TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW,
YOU WILL BE MORE DISAPPOINTED
BY THE THINGS YOU DID NOT DO
THAN BY THE THINGS YOU DID DO.
SO, THROW OFF THE BOWLINES.
SAIL AWAY FROM SAFE HARBOR.
EXPLORE. DREAM. DISCOVER.”
MARK T WAIN
Introducing the all-new and radically redesigned Eastbay Series: the
stunning 50SX débuts this fall, but here is a look at the finished product.
40 GB OWNER’S ASSOCIATIONS
Grand Banks owner’s clubs are going strong. Reports from as far
and wide as Scandinavia to New Zealand.
46 TOM WHIDDEN: A SAILOR’S LIFE IN BALANCE
His sailboat racing résumé is a mile long, including America’s Cup
and SORC victories. He is at the leading edge of sail design and
technology. He is also a Grand Banks owner. Meet Tom Whidden.
54 JAPAN’S INLAND SEA
GB’s own Hank Compton takes a trip with our Japan dealer and a
47EU owner to one of Japan’s most intriguing cruising grounds.
62 VINTAGE APPEAL: PORT TOWNSEND
A town tailor-made for shipwrights and nautical aficionados alike.
Washington state’s Port Townsend is a destination to discover.
82 ENGINEERED FOR EXCELLENCE: THE GB ENGINE ROOM
90 THE BOUNDLESS BEAUTY OF SCANDINAVIA
94 25 CAN BE THE NEW 5
Bill Pike, veteran Power & Motoryacht scribe and GB owner,
informs owners of older GBs how to protect their investment.
120 GRAND BANKS MODELS OVERVIEW
A roundup of all the current GB models in production.
Brand new baby:
50 Eastbay SX, hull #2,
photographed on
location in Malaysia
PHOTO \ JONATHAN COOPER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S P R AY
2 013 A N N UA L P R I N T E D I T I O N
7
Around the Globe
with Grand Banks
43 Heritage EU
Hull #2
The historic Vinoy Hotel
in St. Petersburg, Florida
Sold by Paul Flannery, HMY
COMPANY NEWS & EVENTS
S P R AY
9
Spray
N OV U R A N I A ,
k now n worldw ide for t he
h ig he st qu a lit y ha nd-cra f ted
tenders. T he Delu xe Ser ies'
deep V hu l l a nd bow f la re
prov ide a smoot h a nd st able
ride, qu iet ly powered by t he
Ya ma ha 4 St roke Outboa rd.
So ste a lt h a nd ste ad fa st you
won't wa nt to stop e xploring
on you r ne x t t rip.
Jonathan Cooper
David Hensel
Graphic Design
Photography
Writer
Producer
FROM THE EDITORS
335 DL, 360 DL, 400 DL, 430 DL, 460 DL, 550 DL
A
s most readers know, Grand Banks
Yachts is headquartered in Singapore, where the company has maintained a presence since opening a factory
here in 1969, thirteen years after we built
our first boats in Hong Kong’s Junk Bay.
For a yacht builder, Singapore can be a study
in contrasts. On the one hand, this is a nation completely surrounded by water, not
far from some of the region’s most beautiful
cruising grounds. It’s one of the largest ports
in the world with hundreds of ships at any
one time coming and going from all over the
world. The country’s history and culture is
deeply linked to the sea.
Shown: 360 DL
www.novurania.com
772-567-9200
[email protected]
On the other hand, recreational boating does
not play a big role in everyday society here.
Grand Banks is the only major builder in the
region, and though the island nation has one
of the highest concentrations of millionaires
and billionaires, the amount of wealth spent
on boats here is a tiny fraction compared to
other coastal cities around the world; the
number of boaters per capita is likewise very
low in comparison. For years the longestrunning boat show in Singapore, Boat Asia,
could hardly boast the numbers of exhibitors
or attendees found at events in much smaller
cities in the U.S.
But all that’s changing now, and it’s a remarkable sight to behold.
From daysailers to superyachts and everything in between, recreational boats are
quickly growing in numbers here. So are
the facilities and services to support them:
two large and impressive new marinas were
built along the city’s shoreline over the last
six years, and they have gone from lots
of empty slips to long waiting lists, ready
proof—along with the scores of waterfront
homes built recently with dockage—of the
fast-paced growth in the popularity of boating here.
More evidence was on clear display at this
year’s boat shows (yes, that’s plural: there
are now two boat shows in Singapore, and
in 2013 they took place simultaneously this
spring). Boat Asia was bigger than ever, and
the Singapore Yacht Show—at the stunning One°15 Marina, where Grand Banks
displayed the 43EU and 54EU—had more
exhibitors and visitors than any show here in
history.
S P R AY
Even beyond this tiny island nation, the entire Asian Pacific Rim has seen good growth
for Grand Banks: during the past year we
completed five new yachts for buyers in Singapore, Japan and Micronesia; we added a
new dealer in Malaysia; and GB now has
sales representation in mainland China—
a region which has also seen tremendous
growth in boating and holds enormous potential for more in the years ahead.
All in all it’s an exciting time to be a boatbuilder in Singapore, and a good time to be
part of Grand Banks. From the people who
build our boats to those who cruise them
around the world, it remains a strong and
singular community, bound by a passion for
excellence and a love of the sea.
Happy Cruising!
11
smashing through a fresh gale off
of Catalina Island, California.
Your Grand Banks Photos via Facebook
®
GB OWNER SUBMISSIONS
1991 Grand Banks 36, Serenity,
Photo by Owner \ Mark Maine
connect with gb owners online
2
1
As we write this, over 3,100 people have logged on and “liked” the Grand Banks page
3
4
5
Photo Credits:
1] Allenson
2] Guzek
3] Jones 4] Kristiansen 5] Smith
at Facebook—and more are doing the same every day. Visit facebook.com/grandbanks
to see new photos and catch breaking news from Grand Banks Yachts; learn what other
GB owners are doing around the world; share your own tips, questions and experiences
(and respond to those of others); and participate in a fun, friendly online community
of GB enthusiasts young and old, from near and far. Look for lots more to come on our
Thank you to all of our Facebook
photo submission participants.
Not on Facebook?
That’s ok, too. Email your photos to:
[email protected]
Facebook page in the weeks and months ahead!
(Oh, and if you want to have a photo published in the next isue of Spray, make sure to
upload a high resolution version and bring it to our attention!)
S P R AY
13
building on his success earl
alfaro advances to new role
FACTORY BUZZING
GB CORPORATE UPDATES
A recent visit by the Spray editorial team to GB Malaysia found
the factory busy and bustling with new yachts in production or
readying for delivery. Two glimmering 54 Heritage EUs waited
on the hard for their new owners; one sported a beautiful flagblue hull, the first 54EU to feature this option. Both would
eventually head to ports in Asia: one just a short cruise away in
Singapore, another to Pulau in Micronesia. With other recent
and upcoming deliveries to Japan, this has been one of the most
active times in recent history for sales into Asian markets.
Across the way, brand new 50 Eastbay SX models lined up in
varying stages of completion, with teams swarming throughout
their hulls to ready them for boat shows this fall (see story on
page 26). Their IPS pods, with forward-facing props, readily
distinguished them from 46SX models—which feature Zeus
pods in a rear-facing configuration—being built nearby.
These advanced technologies stood in contrast to work going
on deeper inside the main building, where teams of craftsman
shaped teak by hand into beautiful helm wheels, cabinet doors
and dining tables. It was a ready reminder that amidst the
continual innovation we bring to our boats, there remains a
pride of place for time-honored methods that automation and
mechanization cannot surpass.
If you are purchasing a new Grand Banks and plan to be in
southeast Asia, contact us about scheduling a factory visit to get
a firsthand look at the quality and care that goes into building
your yacht.
“My aspiration to become a yacht designer
began when my mother purchased copies of
several boat magazines at a roadside garage
sale outside of Lexington, Michigan.”
Thus began a decades-long journey for
Earl Alfaro, one that would lead him
through the Westlawn Institute of Marine
Technology, Tom Fexas Yacht Design,
several highly regarded boatbuilders and,
ultimately, to a position as yacht designer
for Grand Banks.
Earl played an instrumental role in several
key new models for GB, including the
revolutionary 41EU and the critically
acclaimed 53RP. In addition to generating
gb manager now
in parliament
For many years, Normala Abd Samad
was known and respected at the Grand
Banks factory for her committed work as
the company’s human resources manager.
She was also admired outside of GB as
a prominent figure in Pasir Gudang, an
activist who promotes human rights and
the eradication of poverty.
She became a member of the Pasir Gudang
community council and served as the Pasir
Gudang division Wanita chief. She also
founded and now chairs Koperasi Seri
Cempaka, a cooperation run by and for
local women that aims to help them gain
knowledge about starting and operating
local businesses.
new model concepts, his role has included
hull design and development through 3D
software modeling and live tank testing.
His achievements and experience have led
to greater responsibilities at the company,
where he was recently promoted to New
Product Development Manager. “Earl has
taken up a more pivotal role in our new
projects,” said GB Plant Director Bruce
Livingston. “His vision and skills are
ideal for Grand Banks as we continue to
innovate and evolve our model range.”
Please join us in congratulating Earl on
this important advancement.
Her work for the community—and
the inspiring actions of her late father, a
politician who passed away when Normala
was 19—motivated her to greater and
greater aspirations in the political arena.
“I admire my father because he would let
people, regardless of their race, come and
stay in our house, especially those who
needed help,” Normala said. Eventually,
she decided to leave GB so she could
follow those aspirations.
She recently ran in local elections for a seat
in the Parliament of Malaysia, winning by
a strong margin. Normala, who graduated
with a Master’s of Business Administration
from the Nottingham Trent University in
Britain, credits her years of experience at
Grand Banks for helping her to secure the
win. “I am well aware of the issues because
I have been in this field for more than three
decades,” said Normala. “Pasir Gudang
already has a strong base if you talk about
infrastructure, ports, universities and
recreational areas. Besides giving focus to
the development and the welfare of the
community, I will be the voice of workers
in the industrial sector.”
new malaysia dealer
Last fall Grand Banks Yachts announced
its newest Authorized Dealer for Asia, PenMarine. Located in Malaysia, their main sales
office is on the northeastern island of Penang,
gateway to several cruising destinations such
Langkawi and Phuket. Pen-Marine plans
to open additional sales offices in Kuala
Lumpur and Johor Bahru in the next year to
complement its existing facility in Penang.
“With an extended shoreline and a growing
interest in leisure boating in Malaysia, which
is also the country where Grand Banks yachts
are actually made, there is great potential for
Malaysian yacht enthusiasts seeking to own
such a well-renowned brand,” said Oh Kean
Shen, the Managing Director of Pen-Marine.
“Grand Banks yachts are well suited for
the long distance coastal cruising between
Singapore and Phuket and we are optimistic
that Pen-Marine will be successful in selling
Grand Banks,” Grand Banks CEO Peter Poli.
S P R AY
GRAND BANKS YACHTS • SPRAY MAGAZINE • 2013 ANNUAL
15
bay marine & galati appointed
to authorized dealer network
in the great lakes
Bay Marine joined our Authorized Dealer network this year,
representing Grand Banks in the western Great lakes region from
its offices in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. Centrally located on Lake
Michigan’s Door Peninsula, Bay Marine is a second-generation family
dealership, bringing over 45 years of sales and service experience to
GB owners and buyers. Grand Banks named Bay Marine in large part
based on the dealer’s reputation for supportive customer service and
a highly knowledgeable sales team. Commenting on the appointment, Bay Marine president Mark
Felhofer said, “GB’s integrity and life-long dedication to their owners
is a perfect fit with the culture that is inherent to our company.”
Bay Marine has also established a world-class yard, where factory
trained and certified craftsmen specialize in major and minor
mechanical repairs, refits, fiberglass, gel coat and painting as well as
brightwork, carpentry, canvas and rigging for yachts up to ninety feet.
For the eastern Great Lakes region, Grand Banks appointed Galati
Yacht Sales to represent the brand from its two offices in Michigan—
one in Holland on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and one in
Harrison Township near the Detroit market.
GB named Galati based on the dealer’s strong track record with the
GB brand in western Florida and the Gulf Coast. Since 2010, Galati
Yacht Sales has represented Grand Banks at five locations across that
region, from Tampa Bay to Orange Beach, Alabama.
“Grand Banks has had a great history here in the Great Lakes,” said
Brian Dekkinga, General Manager of Galati Yacht Sales’ Great Lakes
locations. “We look forward to becoming part of that history, and to
serving Great Lakes area Grand Banks yachtsmen.”
Photos (Left): The sales team at Bay Marine; (Right) Brian Dekkinga (at left)
with Erik Krueger onboard a brand new 46 Eatbay SX stock boat.
big news on the atlantic
as jarrett bay merges
with bluewater yacht sales
Jarrett Bay Yacht Sales, Authorized Dealer for the Mid-Atlantic region, has merged with
Bluewater Yacht Sales to expand their sales and service presence throughout Chesapeake
Bay and down into the Carolinas. Flying under the Bluewater flag that has flown since
1968, the dealership is now one of the largest and most experienced yacht sales operations
in North America.
The family of operations—which includes three major service facilities—will continue to
be guided by the same founding ownership teams of Chris Hall, Earle Hall, Jud Black and
John D Riggs from the Bluewater side, and Randy Ramsey and Dan Reitz on the Jarrett
Bay front. With Jan Boone leading the charge as President, the Bluewater organization now
boats over 50 sales associates trusted with nearly 400 yachts valued at $150 million.
S P R AY
17
galati yacht sales opens
costa rica office
Galati Yacht Sales will soon open a new sales office in the heart of Costa Rica’s premier luxury lifestyle
destination, Los Sueños Resort and Marina. GYS has long enjoyed a strong presence there—hosting
fishing tournaments and customer events—and over the past year they hired a full-time salesman in
the region, local resident Tony Carrizosa.
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“Hiring Tony has helped us to enjoy exceptional growth within this new market,” said Darren Plymale,
General Manager and board member at GYS, “and eventually we were approached by the Los Suenos
Resort with the idea of opening a sales office at the marina. We’re currently building out the offices, as
well as hiring local staff that truly understand the customer and the market.”
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The resort is located near the community of Jaco, within Bahia Herradura on the northern region of
Costa Rica’s Pacific Ocean shoreline. For more info: galatiyachts.com.
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grand banks factory training
We believe Grand Banks are among the world’s best yachts, and
we’ve always made it a priority to have a dealer network to match.
That means doing our best to ensure GB Sales Specialists at each
Authorized Dealership are trained, informed and up-to-date on all of
our products and practices—so that our customers have all the details they need to make an informed and confident buying decision.
To that end, Grand Banks hosted a gaggle of GB Sales Specialists at
our factory in late July for an intensive 3-day training session. Led
by Fran Morey (Director of Service and Training for GB) and Tucker
West (North American Sales Manager), the curriculum included lessons on everything from company history to fiberglass production
techniques to competitive comparisons and more.
“There’s a lot that sets a Grand Banks apart from any other boat on
the water, and it continues to evolve and grow over time,” said West.
“There’s nothing like being at the factory to help these folks understand and absorb it all. Now they can go back to their dealerships
with great firsthand knowledge to pass on to their customers.”
Daily classroom sessions were followed by visits to the factory floor,
where attendees could see production concepts put into practice on
new GB models in varying stages of construction. Paul Flannery,
GB Sales Specialist with HMY in Stuart, Florida, found this to be a
particularly valuable part of the training. “There is no substitute for
seeing the building procedure from layup to sea trial in order to fully
understand what goes into making every Grand Banks exceptional.”
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S P R AY
19
The same service that brings peace of mind to many GB
owners will soon also power the management of vessel
maintenance for the United States Coast Guard and
Navy. VesselVanguard, an online yacht management
solution for boat owners, has secured contracts with
these two military branches to support select vessels/
fleets with a specially designed version of its service.
“There are no more critical needs than those of our men
and women in uniform as they perform their duty,” said
VesselVanguard founder and CEO Don Hyde. “We are
very proud of our association with the Services and
believe we are making a real contribution to reducing
maintenance costs while advancing fleet readiness.”
sselVanguard and how it works:
M SET-UP
CONTROL IN YOUR HANDS
anguard will set up your customized
ofile based on boat model and listed
uipment, and program the manufacturgestions to produce a customized webpplication that is constantly “thinking”
our boat. All equipment details are
ated to a Master List and a perpetuenance calendar is generated. Upon
on or deferral of the work, the system
cally recalibrates for the next required
sks. VesselVanguard is always “thinkut what’s next and lets you know withpersonal effort.
You set notification preferences, including who
else receives Task Alerts on your behalf. Designated service centers or contractors get access
to only the systems you assign to them, with
the ability to upload completed work orders
and documents which then become part of the
Digital Ship’s Log.
T ALERTS
otices and service bulletins are given
status as received from manufacturers
ed to you and your designated maaler, or authorized vendor.
DIGITAL SHIP’S LOG
This function allows you to upload historical
maintenance records and other documents to
create a complete digital file accessible at all
times. All files are searchable by date, category, manufacturer, contractor name, or any
keyword you specify. Reports can be generated using the templates provided and downloaded, saved and shared.
iption to VesselVanguard is provided to buyers of any new Grand Banks model today.
, can also save on this valuable service. VesselVanguard is pleased to we are offer
which includes set-up of your complete boat profile and the first year of service. To get
sselVanguard.com. Click the “Become A Member” link near the top of the home page,
d below your payment information: GBY2012
55fb wins aim marine group’s
2012 editor’s choice award
The world’s top boatbuilders were honored during the 2012 Fort
Lauderdale International Boat Show at the first AIM Marine Group Editors’
Choice Awards ceremony. (Active Interest Media, AIM, is the parent
company of PassageMaker, Power & Motoryacht, Soundings and other
publications.) Winner in the Best Down East category was the 55 Eastbay
FB, which AIM says “has all the classic lines, high quality, and handcrafted
interiors that have made the company famous … one fun boat to drive!”
VesselVanguard is a trademarked SaaS service provided by Syncopy Solutions, LLC, Annapolis, MD
vesselvanguard: serving gb owners
- and now the u.s. armed forces
VesselVanguard has already been selected by the U.S.
Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, to help
manage their fleet of training vessels and reduce the
cost of operations. “We are honored to play our part in
the training regimen for the next generation of Coast
Guard Officers,” Hyde said.
New GB buyers receive a free subscription to
VesselVanguard, and scores of others have also signed
up for their service by taking advantage of the 15%
discount for GB owners. For more information read
Don’s article in the 2012 issue of Spray, or learn more
online and find a link to subscribe at grandbanks.com/
vesselvanguard.
new service centers
on the east coast
Grand Banks Yachts has appointed Bristol Marine
as an Authorized Service Center in the Narragansett
Bay region of Rhode Island. The company specializes
in every aspect of the marine trades, with a full slate of
mechanical and electrical services available along with
in-house custom canvas and metal work.
In addition, Grand Banks has named Bluewater Yacht
Yards as an Authorized Service Center for GB owners
in the lower Chesapeake Bay and Outer Banks region.
Bluewater operates two full-scale marine facilities to
serve customers throughout the area. Their facility
in Hampton, VA offers full service on vessels up to
120 feet, while their yard in Wanchese, NC services
vessels up to 80 feet. Bluewater’s expert staff specializes
in every facet of the marine trades including major
mechanical repairs, detail woodworking, structural
repair and new canvas. Bluewater’s factory-trained
service group represents some of the most prestigious
brands in the marine industry.
“We are excited to have both Bristol Marine and
Bluewater join our service network,” said Fran Morey,
Director of Service & Training for Grand Banks.
“Both organizations bring an outstanding level of skill,
experience and professionalism to their work with
boats and with customers. Grand Banks owners can
take comfort while cruising these regions or passing
on transient voyage, knowing they have these skilled
service teams standing by.”
PHOTOS | [clockwise from top-left] Fresh from the factory, a 54 Heritage EU at the Singapore Yacht Show; The crowd at the Singapore show indicates plenty of interest;
The 54EU, also on display at the 2013 Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show; 53 Aleutian RP in the out-of-water show inside the massive halls of 2013 Boot Düsseldorf, Germany.
highlights & coming attractions
from boat shows far & wide
2013 kicked off with January’s big show in
Düsseldorf, where the 53 Aleutian RP was on
display at GB’s new location in Hall 6—and
where the 54 Heritage EU was nominated for
“European Powerboat of the Year” by a group of
the top European boating magazines. Then it was
off to Miami Beach for the Yacht & Brokerage
Show in February, where GB made a splash amidst
the glamour and glitterati of Collins Avenue. In
March, two Heritage models—a 47CL and the
new 43EU—took center stage at the Yokohama
boat show. Both boats sold to buyers in Japan,
where more new GBs have sold during the past
12 months than any previous year.
As the city-state’s only yacht builder, Grand Banks
was a big attraction this April at the Singapore
Yacht Show; the event, held at the beautiful
One°15 Marina on Sentosa Island, has grown by
leaps and bounds in recent years. With the 43EU
and 54EU drawing throngs of crowds each day,
the show attracted more exhibitors and visitors
than ever before.
This fall you can be among the first to get
on board the remarkable new 50 Eastbay SX
at boat shows in Newport, RI (Sept 12-15),
Norwalk, CT (Sept 19-22), Annapolis, MD
(Oct 3-6), and the world’s biggest boat show
in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Oct 31-Nov 4). For our
complete show calendar, visit grandbanks.com
and click on “Boat Shows” near the bottom of
our home page.
S P R AY
21
gb around the world
update from gb australia
Since opening its office doors in 2009, GB Australia has
continued to grow the Grand Banks brand throughout the region
and provide service to GB owners across the country. During the
past year the dealership exhibited at the Auckland International
Boat Show in New Zealand for the first time, with a 53 Aleutian
RP on display. The new 53RP was welcomed enthusiastically
by attendees at the show, after which it traveled to the Bay of
Islands for the first-ever GB New Zealand rendezvous (see “Kiwi
Communique,” page 81).
Electrical Systems
Checked
Engine Oil
Refilled
Fuel Filter
Replaced
Engine Hours
Documented
In addition to the new 53RP delivered to Auckland, two other
GB’s were sold into Australia: another 53 Aleutian RP to the
Gold Coast at Queensland, and a 54 Heritage EU into Perth,
Western Australia.
GB Australia also hosted crowds of visitors at their displays in
Australia’s two leading boat shows, Sanctuary Cove International
Boat Show (May) and Sydney International Boat Show (August).
At the latter show, the GB dealership also represented big-boat
manufacturer Ocean Alexander for the first time as part of a new
sales partnership between these two brand (see story below).
As Hank Compton, Managing Director of GB Australia explains,
“The two brands are a perfect fit for us, Grand Banks is an iconic
brand in the mid-size luxury cruiser market and OA increases
our ability to offer a magnificent motoryacht to clients who are
looking for something in the superyacht category.”
gb & oa launch new
sales partnership in
china and australia
Grand Banks signed an agreement with Ocean Alexander to represent each
other’s brands and boats at sales offices in China and Australia. As part of that
agreement, boaters in China can shop for and purchase new Grand Banks
models at OA’s sales offices in Shanghai, China’s largest city, and at Sanya in
the southern coastal province of Hainan. In turn, Grand Banks will represent
Ocean Alexander through its GB Australia sales offices on the Gold Coast.
GB will also continue to be represented in China by its Hong Kong dealer,
Asia Yacht Services, at Castle Peak Bay. Expanding the GB sales presence into
mainland China, where the growing number of high net worth individuals is
fueling new demand for top-brand yachts, has been a key goal for Grand Banks.
“This arrangement aligns two powerful, well-respected brands in a way that helps
each of us increase our opportunity for growth and success in these important
Pacific Rim regions,” said Hank Compton, GB Sales Manager for Europe and
Asia-Pacific. “It’s a natural partnership for us both, and we’re very excited to be
working together.”
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Watch our two-minute video and learn more at
VesselVanguard.com or call (888) 214-1710.
Always On Watch
VesselVanguard partners: Grand Banks • Beneteau • Prestige • Meridian • Princess • Hunt Yachts
Westport Yachts • Horizon Yachts • Jeanneau • Marine Boat Group • Marinalife.com
This is a sampling of companies that already have VesselVanguard on board to make boat ownership simpler for you.
N EW I T EM
GB SHIPSTORE
Get the latest @ GBShipstore.com
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market. The popular summer sailing jacket is mesh lined and
water resistant, with an elasticated waistband and Anti-slip-grip
elasticated cuffs with velcro closure. Navy blue. $145.99
double-cleat serving board
The double-cleat serving board from Soundview Millworks
is sturdily constructed out of solid maple and mahogany
(measuring 7-3/4“ by 20”) is shaped to optimize serving space
when room gets tight. The board has two 5” cleats for handles
and can be customized with laser engraving on the cutting
service. The board shown has the classic GB logo engraved,
but if you want your own custom version, view Soundview’s
website at soundviewmillworks.com for options.
Soundview Millworks GB Serving Board. $95.00
gb-branded glassware
Say “cheers” in style with our full line of GB glassware for your
onboard galley or home kitchen. The clean, classic design of
our stemware and barware is versatile enough to coordinate
with an almost unlimited variety of dinnerware and tableware
patterns. All glasses feature a tastefully-scaled “GB” and are
dishwasher safe.
• White Wine: 2-3/4” diameter x 7-3/4” high
• Red Wine: 3” diameter x 7-3/16” high
• Tumbler: 3-1/8” diameter x 3-5/8” high
• Highball: 2-3/4” diameter x 6-3/8” high
Any size set of 4. $69.99
gb wine bottle stopper
Julio wine bottle stopper with a black rubber strip that both
secures and grips for a definite seal. $15.95
cutter & buck leather coasters
Protect your beautiful teak tables with this set of C&B coasters.
The set includes 6 leather GB monogrammed coasters with logo
case that allows these to be easily and attractively stored when
not in use. Set of 6 coasters embossed case. $46.95
GBSHIPSTORE.COM
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ALL-NEW 50 EASTBAY SX
Downeast
Downright Sexy
GRAND BANKS PIONEERED THE DOWN EAST CATEGORY WITH
THE LAUNCH OF THE 38 EASTBAY. TWENTY YEARS LATER, THE
EASTBAY SERIES TAKES ANOTHER LEAP FORWARD WITH A STATEOF-THE-ART NEW MODEL AND A DROP-DEAD GORGEOUS DESIGN.
STORY \ DAVID HENSEL
50 Eastbay SX
PHOTOGRAPHY \ JONATHAN COOPER
G
rand Banks Yachts has been associated with a number
of notable firsts. The first production trawler-style
motoryacht, for instance, or—more recently—the first
trawler with pod-drive propulsion. Many would say Grand Banks
was the first to enter the contemporary Down East segment with
the launch of the 38 Eastbay two decades ago.
Here and now, dear reader, comes another first for you to witness
with all the world: the first time a Grand Banks will be described
as “downright seriously sexy.”
While Heritage, Eastbay and Aleutian models have long held
a certain aesthetic appeal, the term “sexy” has never suitably
conveyed that aesthetic—until now. As we stand at the dock
awaiting our first sea trial aboard the 50SX, there’s no denying the
drop-dead gorgeous looks of this newest addition to the Eastbay
Series. Still unmistakable in its lineage, the profile is nonetheless
transformed: more assertive and fluid, she’s fast even while tethered
to her moorings.
That new look is born of a broader initiative behind the genesis of
the 50SX. “This project wasn’t about a limited set of incremental
changes,” said Earl Alfaro, New Product Development Manager
at Grand Banks. “We tasked ourselves to completely rethink what
the Eastbay Series represents today. Not to run away from where
we’ve been, but to bring it forward in a compelling and exciting
new way.”
WIDE OPEN WONDER
Stepping on board 50SX (hull number 002), it’s easy to see this
mandate in action. New six-panel glass doors between the cockpit
and the salon slide effortlessly open to create one sweeping,
spectacular living space. The cockpit itself feels enormous—yards
of teak underfoot, with seating stretched along the transom before
a gleaming teak table—and with the glass doors open it merges
gracefully into the salon, right up to the helm.
“A key priority was to unite the indoor and outdoor main-deck
areas,” said Alfaro, “and fully embrace what it means to be out in
the world on your boat.” As the sizable sunroof opens with a quiet
purr, it’s not difficult to imagine days spent on the hook at some
far-off tropic isle, a barefoot life of Riley. The foredeck sunpad,
retractable salon windows, and a cockpit sunshade that extends
with the push of a button all reinforce the boat’s sunny disposition.
GRACE UNDER POWER
As we push off from the dock, however, we quickly notice
something missing: noise, vibration, or any sure sign the engines
are even powered up. The boat’s Volvo Penta pod-drive system
positions the twin diesels below the cockpit, which keeps sound
levels in the salon low and easily allows for quiet conversation.
Even when we lean forward on the throttles and speed out to sea at
25 knots, our meter shows just 73 decibels at the helm area (with
genset on). Stepping out into the cockpit at the same speed, we are
amazed to see the meter read just 80dB—comparable to the sound
of city traffic from inside a car.
Lack of noise does not signal a lack of power, however. From a
drifting idle, the 50SX leaps to 15 knots in just six seconds, and
takes only 20 seconds to reach 30 knots while we head upwind. At
full throttle we reach 34.2 knots on a fine smooth plane, the wake
flattening out quickly behind us. We eventually settle into a nice
high cruise of around 26 knots at 2,000 RPM; with a full tank, at
S P R AY
34+ knots
cockpit docking control
foredeck sunpad
flybridge & threestateroom layout options
29
that speed we could cover around 365 nautical miles
before fueling up again.
With smooth seas all around us we decide to run circles
for a while, chasing through our own wake to see
how she handles the rougher stuff. The 50 Eastbay is
the first Grand Banks equipped with Volvo Penta IPS
(traditional shaft drives are also available), and as we
turn the wheel hard over at 25 knots the boat carves a
tight arc and cuts right through the chop; the hull shape
also allows for a nice, easy bank into the turns, without
the outward roll we’ve encountered on Down East boats
from other brands.
Indeed, one of the few key design features the 50SX
shares with previous Eastbay models is her highlyacclaimed hull form, a modified deep-V designed by
the renowned naval architects at Ray Hunt Associates.
The deep-V shape puts more and more hull into the
water during a roll, forcing it back upright to minimize
rolling and provide greater stability.
We also note how dry the 50SX stays as we bound
through our wake. Again, thank the proven hull design:
a high chine forward and spray strips knock down spray,
add lift, and reduce the wetted surface–keeping the boat
dry while providing greater speed and fuel economy.
Widely-flared forward topsides create buoyancy and
reduce the potential for burying the bow in heavy seas.
No major changes in hull design are required to equip
the 50SX for IPS drives.
Coming into the marina, we use the IPS joystick
controls to ease down the fairways, backing into our
tight slip with an on-the-dime spin and quick back-in
maneuver. Nothing fancy, but it does make docking this
new and unfamiliar 50-footer a stress-free operation.
Taking a final tour through the 50SX before our
departure, one thought comes to mind again and again:
this is a smart boat. So many intelligent ideas, informed
by decades of boatbuilding and input from thousands
of owners, have found there way into this Eastbay.
This is indeed a great leap forward—smart, stylish,
sophisticated …
And downright seriously sexy.
The 50’s feature-rich cockpit, including sink, optional icemaker,
folding teak table with built-in cupholders, bench seat storage,
and two large deck lockers for fender and line storage.
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Clockwise from left: Large salon windows above the gracefully curved
portside dinette. This layout features a down galley and two staterooms
and will be on display at the Annapolis boat show. (The Newport and
Norwalk show boat will feature the galley up, three-stateroom layout);
This model also features the optional midship master stateroom with
private, en-suite head; Generous second stateroom forward features
queen berth, plenty of hanging locker and drawer storage, and a Jack
and Jill head with stall shower.
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1
4
5
3
2
Interiors
of the 50 Eastbay
1. View of the interior from the salon entrance, featuring double-sliding doors.
2. Aft view of the cockpit table, folded in half to show stainless support and
cupholders. With table folded back, engine room hatch can be opened
without interference. 3. Incredible foredeck with generous chain locker,
hatches, and optional sunpad 4. Beautiful en-suite head for the midship
master. 5. Down galley features cleverly designed pull-out glassware storage,
Sub-Zero® drawer fridge/freezer, and Meile® cooktop. Stairs to salon open
easily with gas-assist lift to reveal optional washer/dryer. 6. Wide-angle view
(looking forward) of the lower accomodations level showing the midship
master and down galley. Other layout options can been seen online at
grandbanks.com/50SX and on page 38.
j
6
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Volvo IPS
Multiple
Features of
Volvo Penta IPS is a complete and integrated propulsion system—the engine, pod and
propellers have been developed in parallel to match each other perfectly. This greatly
increases quality and reliability.
Volvo Penta IPS also has a series of built-in features to reduce the risk of leakage in the event
of an impact. Excellent maneuverability with one engine increases safety even more.
When it comes to fuel economy, Volvo Penta IPS offers significantly reduced fuel consumption
at cruising speed compared to inboard shafts. That translates into a considerably longer
cruising range, and of course a huge benefit for the environment.
It seems like an impossible combination, but while decreasing fuel consumption,
performance is also greatly improved. In a match-up against inboard shafts of the same
power, the differences are obvious. The boat equipped with Volvo Penta IPS accelerates
much faster, and has a higher top speed.
Precision Joystick Control
Dynamic Positioning System
Forget complicated shift, throttle and steering wheel combinations in
close quarter maneuvering. Simply move the joystick in the direction
you want your boat to move. The 50 sports the option to include a
second joystick control station within a smartly-designed hatch in
the cockpit that tucks away seamlessly when not in use.
Press a button and the DPS holds your boat´s
heading and keeps it within a very limited area,
even in a current or in windy conditions, while
you set fenders and lines.
Also available with
traditional shaft drives
Forward-Facing
Propellers
Twin counter-rotating
propellers face forward &
work in undisturbed water.
Thrust is parallel with the
hull, thus, all power drives
the boat forward.
Humphree® Trim Tabs
Humphree trim tabs are standard equipment
with the Volvo IPS package. With the push
of a button, a stainless steel plate descends or
ascends to change the running angle of the boat.
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50 eastbay
FB DECK
Feature-Rich Fifty
The new 50 Eastbay offers a long list of innovative features and useful amenities. While the
equipment list gives the full story, here are a few that stood out for us during our time on board:
DECKPLANS / SPECIFICATIONS / VOLUMES
MAIN DECK
LOWER DECK
SPECIFICATIONS & CAPACITIES*
POWER OPTIONS*
Foredeck Sunpad
Sunroof
Wide Side Decks & Safety Rails
For full-on sunshine enjoyment, owners have the
The 50SX comes standard-equipped with a large
Grand Banks has a legendary obsession with safety
option of a large and comfortable sunpad fitted
electric sunroof that can be opened and closed
at sea, and the 50 Eastbay is no exception. Wide side
neatly within an inset atop the forward cabin. The
with the push of a button. Beautiful Oceanaire
decks topped with Awlgip non-skid (or optional teak
perfect place to steal away with book or magazine,
screens and sunshades can be easily extended
decking) are easily accessed from the cockpit, with
the sunpad also has enough room—and cup
or hide away in the housetop.
sturdy stainless rails with mid-rails up to the bow for
a sure hold in strong seas.
holders—for a quartet of sunbathers.
Max Length: 55’ 11” Length Waterline:
46’ 6”
Max Beam:
16’ 6”
Draft:
4’ 1”
Displacement (half load):
50,050 lbs
Water Tank Capacity:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Black Water Capacity:
17.04 m
{STANDARD}
14.18 m
Twin Volvo IPS 800 @ 600 MHP
Max. Speed:
28.9 kn @ 2,350 RPM
Cruise Speed: 22.5 kn @ 2,000 RPM
5.03 m
1.24 m
{OPTIONAL}
22,750 Kg
162 US gals 613 Liters
800 US gals 3,028 Liters 84 US gals 318 Liters
* All data preliminar y.
Twin Volvo IPS 900 @ 700 MHP
Max. Speed:
32.6 kn @ 2,390 RPM
Cruise Speed: 24.7 kn @ 2,000 RPM
Twin MAN D2876 R6 @ 800 MHP
Max. Speed:
N/A
Cruise Speed: N/A
Twin Stidd Helmseats
If you love the look and feel of a high-quality
Pantograph Door
Onboard the 50 you will find a variety of cleverly-
Stidd chair at the helm, how about two? With a
The 50SX comes standard with a pantograph door
designed storage options, from an under-the-stairs
chrome pedestal, chrome armrest hubs, chrome
at the helm, giving ready access to the starboard side
washer/dryer combo to a pull out glassware
folding footrest, and stainless “Trigonal” clamp
deck, cockpit and foredeck when docking. Sturdy
cabinet. In the cockpit, two consoles allow
handles, side-by-side lowback Admiral chairs are
design integrates seamlessly with deckhouse, with a
additional storage or an optional icemaker, and
wrapped in soft and supple, world class leather.
solid electronic locking mechanism that opens at the
Smart Storage
push of a button.
under the cockpit seating, even more for lifejackets,
lines, and whatever else you need to stow.
Cockpit Sunshade
Protection from the elements can make it easier
and enjoyable to be outdoors. With the push of a
button you can extend or retract a beautiful, sturdy
Sunbrella® canvas awning over the cockpit—a
Cockpit Docking Station
An optional docking station can be added inside
a hide-away compartment along the fiberglass
coaming aft of the deckhouse. Open the hinged
access panel to access the IPS controls for easy
side or stern-to docking.
standard feature on every 50 Eastbay.
S P R AY
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Profitant de la fin de saison et de la baisse de fréquentation des
lieux, l’AGBM (Amicale Grand Banks Méditerranée) avait fixé son
rendezvous d’été à Porquerolles du 10 au 16 septembre. Cette semaine
permet avant tout aux membres de l’Amicale, ayant pour la plupart
navigué tout l’été dans diverses régions de la Méditerranée (Corse,
Sardaigne, Iles Toscanes, Espagne et Iles Baléares), de se retrouver afin
de partager souvenirs de croisière, visites, activités culturelles, apéritifs
et repas destinés à renforcer la cohésion des membres présents. C’est
également l’occasion de la tenue de l’Assemblée Générale de l’Amicale.
L’Amicale Grand Banks Meditérenée envoie
ce précis des événéments au réunion 2012
GB OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS
Rendezvous à Porquerolles
Le programme prévisionnel de la semaine a dû être allégé en raison
d’une météo venteuse (mais Porquerolles sans vent ne serait pas
vraiment Porquerolles …) privant les membres de quelques parties de
franche rigolade comme la course d’annexes ou le concours de pêche
à la base de la confection de la soupe de poisson.
Ainsi, tout au long de la semaine, les plaisanciers de l’AGBM ont
cultivé les liens d’amitié qui les unissent, et ils se sont quittés sur la
perspective de se revoir l’an prochain au mois de juin, dans un port
méditerranéen en France ou en Italie.
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41
grand banks rendezvous
on the chesapeake
The rendezvous started on the 26th of September with a shore party at the
beautiful home of Liz and Bob Hammond on the Corsica River. The following morning, attendees held a predicted log race from the mouth of the
Corsica to Kent Narrows; this year’s winner was Jim Walker aboard Pegasus.
By Thursday, these boats joined several at St. Michaels Harbour Inn Marina,
where a lively potluck feast on the docks gave everyone a chance to meet and
catch up under the glow of a Chesapeake twilight. Friday morning served up
some info-packed presentations by the Coast Guard (search & rescue), Polly
Cox (towing & salvage), and Geoff Holmes (obtaining a captain’s license).
In the afternoon, several members toured the Calhoun MEBA Engineering
School nearby, where the highlight was a visit to the bridge simulator—
so realistic that some members began to get seasick. The day’s events were
capped off with an art show by CBGBOA members, where some beautiful
paintings and artwork were enjoyed along with wine and hors d’oeuvres.
The rest of the weekend saw more presentations and meetings, followed by
lots of free time to enjoy the historic seafaring town and environs around St.
Michaels—an enchantingly beautiful spot for a GB rendezvous.
more rendezvous roundup
PHOTO \ INGE JENSEN
new grand banks owners’
association in scandinavia
With its breathtaking fjords, historic ports and endless craggy
coastlines, Scandinavia encompasses some of the world’s best
cruising grounds for GB owners. So it seems about time that the
region gained its own Grand Banks Owners’ Association.
On the 5th of January this year, the Grand Banks Owners Club
of Scandinavia was founded in Oslo, Norway. The newly elected
president, Inge Jensen, says that the club will build up slowly—as of
June there were around 30 members—and points out that the large
geographical distances are a particular challenge to hosting group
events.
Nonetheless, the organization aims to gather GB owners across
Denmark, Norway and Sweden to build social relationships, share
information and advice, and celebrate all things Grand Banks.
Jensen believes that there are somewhere between 20 and 30
Grand Banks in Norway, with about the same number in Sweden
and Denmark; he says the club will systematically map the Grand
Banks-built boats throughout Scandinavia. In Norway, the club will
have close cooperation with the Norwegian Trawler Club, where
several members are also organized.
“We see that there is great enthusiasm among the owners to keep
their lovely boats in shipshape,” says Jensen. “No doubt that a wellmaintained Grand Banks draws spectators to the dock.” Jensen
himself owns a beautiful 39-year-old GB32, Astor.
More information about the club can be found online at
grandbanksowners.no, where you can also find a link to their page
on Facebook. Turn to page 90 for more great photos from Jensen.
Just as this issue was going to press,
members of Amicale Western Europe
were gathering in the port city of
Hellevoetsluis for the group’s annual
rendezvous (next year’s will take place in
Medemblik and Enkhuizen). Earlier this
spring the group celebrated their annual
spring dinner in Rotterdam, after which
ten GBs cruised to the small, picturesque
Dutch town of Tolkamer along the
Rhine. In nearby Germany, members of
the Baltic Sea owners group celebrated
together this May at Wiek auf Rügen.
Coming up this fall, GB owners’
associations in North America are getting
ready for their own annual events.
The Chesapeake Bay group will host
this year’s rendezvous at the Baltimore
Marine Center on Sept. 19-22. (The
owners’ association maintains an active
cruising schedule throughout the year;
view the calendar at cbgboa.org).
Meanwhile, the British Columbia gettogether promises a wonderful weekend
of fun, camaraderie—and a whole roasted
pig—at scenic Telegraph Harbour in the
Canadian Gulf Islands (Sept. 20-22).
As you can see in these pages, GB owners
all across the world love to share and
enjoy the “GB Lifestyle” with others in
their region. Owners’ Associations host
a variety of activities each year for their
members, and most have their own web
sites to help owners connect—for group
cruises, maintenance and buying tips,
destination tips and all kinds of topics.
If you own a Grand Banks and would
like to get connected, visit the “Owners
Associations” section at grandbanks.com
to learn more.
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Fiesta at the
Northern Border
Inimitable and postcard-pretty Roche Harbor hosts the Pacific
Northwest Grand Banks Owners Association for the tenth year
running. The theme for this yea: a South-of-the-Border fiesta!
In early May, over sixty gorgeous Grand Banks lined the docks of
picturesque Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island, WA, for the
annual Puget Sound Grand Banks Owners Association (PSGBOA)
rendezvous. As the largest GB owners association in the world, the
PSGBOA rendezvous draws vessels from Washington and Canada,
and owners from as far away as Michigan. This year’s “South of the
Border Fiesta” was packed with seminars, social events and plenty
of downtime to explore the area or take a tour of neighboring boats.
And what a diverse selection of boats to see, from Chantyman
trawlers to Aleutians and everything in between.
With the smell of famous Lime Kiln Café donuts and coffee wafting
down the docks, attendees were up early on Friday—ready to kick
off the day with a seminar on cruising the remote islands of Haida
Gwaii in British Columbia, Canada. Tales of their rugged beauty
had everyone ready to head north. The day rounded out with more
seminars, a delicious lunch of street tacos, and a chance to visit with
old friends and meet new owners. Friday evening’s wine and beer
tasting proved to be a hit, and the potluck was one of the best ever.
Saturday morning kicked off with a GB company update, where
Grand Banks Board Chairman Heine Askaer-Jensen addressed
owners on the future of the company. After a full slate of seminars,
many attendees joined Executive Chef Bill Shaw for a delightful
Mexican cooking demo (and tasting). The afternoon went by
quickly, with a dog show worthy of Westminster and leisurely rubber
duck race. Saturday’s fiesta dinner capped off the rendezvous, with a
bounty of fresh Mexican cuisine and the chance to spend a few more
hours sharing salty tales with fellow cruising friends.
Sunday dawned to the distinct rumbling of dependable diesel
engines—as owners began to leave port and head for home or
embark on a summer of cruising. Until next year, adios!
TEXT \ LESLIE SIMMONS
PHOTOS \ JONATHAN COOPER
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A SA ILOR’S LE GACY
Tom
Whidden
a sailor’s life,
trim & balanced
HE IS ONE OF THE MOST DECORATED SAILORS IN AMERICAN HISTORY,
HAVING HOISTED MULTIPLE AMERICA’S CUP & SORC TROPHIES. HE IS THE
CEO OF SAILMAKING T ITAN NORTH SAILS AND HE SPEARHEADED NORTH’S
RISE TO BECOME THE UNDISPUTED INDUSTRY L EADER.
MEET TOM WHIDDEN: GRAND BANKS OWNER.
SPRAY CAUGHT UP WITH TOM AND BETSY WHIDDEN ON BLOCK ISLAND
TO FIND OUT HOW THE HALL-OF-FAMER USES HIS 55 EASTBAY SX AND
WHAT FORCES PROPEL LED HIM TO ACHIEVE SUCH SUCCESS AS A FATHER,
HUSBAND, RACER, AND SAIL MAKER.
STORY & PHOTOS \ JONATHAN COOPER
US-55, Stars & Stripes 87, with
Tom Whidden as tactician, beating
an upwind leg during the 1987
America’s Cup in Fremantle.
Photo © Daniel Forster
S P R AY
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Crew of Stars & Stripes 87 flashing winning
smiles post-race. Tom Whidden, waving,
and Dennis Conner with the thumbs-up.
T
he images are burned into memory from the 1987 America’s
Cup. I can still hear the whirring and whizzing of blocks, the
frenzied approach to marks, sea spray dousing crews, and
live-action analysis as tacticians searched for undisturbed air and
the finish line. Television images relayed around the world the highenergy and hair-trigger tension, with Fremantle and Perth looming
large and beautiful in the distance. It is no surprise how the men
on these boats—wind- and sunburned heroes of grind, grit, and
smarts—captured my imagination. To a fourteen-year-old watching
from half a world away, this was sporting spectacle redefined.
The 1987 Cup was the perfect confluence of events. For the first time,
the supreme heavyweight bout of yacht racing would be broadcast to
a wide television audience; it was the first time in the Cup’s 137-year
history that it would be defended away from American shores; it
was an unprecedented field of thirteen international boats, all vying
for a single spot for the chance to unseat the Australians. And if
that wasn’t enough, it was the setting itself: along the windy western
shores of Australia, complete with rolling summer seas, foaming
waves, incessant bobbing of spectator and committee boats, it was a
scene rich in natural drama.
On Stars & Stripes 87, one of six American contestants, was a thirtyeight year old tactician named Tom Whidden. It was already his third
America’s Cup.
A SA ILOR’ S LE GACY
Photo © Daniel Forster
EARLY INFLUENCES
Growing up sailing in Westport, Connecticut, Tom Whidden
knew by the age of ten that he wanted to race. He thrived on the
individuality of the sport, the freedom of being on the water alone
with his thoughts and in command. He raced anything he could get
his hands on, from small dinghies to Finn Class one-designs and
everything in between and above.
When asked who influenced him the most in his youth, the answer
comes without hesitation: Ted Hood. Tom met the famous yacht
designer on Nefertiti, the Hood-designed 12-meter that nearly beat
out Weatherly during the 1962 Cup trials. Sailing with Hood taught
Tom a defining lesson for his life’s work: sails are the engines of
sailboats and the key to their velocity. Tom knew from then on that
his first task was to master the art of sail trim and sail design. This
encounter forged within a teenaged Tom a sense of purpose—not
only for his future as a skipper and tactician, but also in his nonracing career.
At twenty-three years old, Tom faced down one of his few but
influential defeats: at the Finn Class Olympic trials, Tom was
forced to borrow a boat as his own was found to have had a prerace measurement issue that couldn’t be resolved in time. Sailing
an unfamiliar boat, he failed to achieve his dream of racing in the
Olympic Games. The frustration of not qualifying only seems to have
steeled in him a drive to succeed, both on and off the racecourse.
Tom & Betsy Whidden on 55 Eastbay SX, NorthLight,
in front of their custom-designed cockpit table
S P R AY
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This Page \ NorthLight [below] on the mooring in Block Island’s Great Salt Pond; [Adjacent & next page] Oil paintings
aboard NorthLight painted by a dear family friend; Famous 12-meters Weatherly (US17) and two-time Cup winner
Intrepid (US22) available for charter in Newport, are a common sight Opposite \ View of NorthLight’s starboard side;
A look into NorthLight’s immaculate master stateroom; Historic Narragansett Inn on Block Island, overlooking hundreds
of moorings; Tom’s photo of their beautiful teak transom.
Back home, that drive pushed Tom to secure a new business partner
and raise $10,000 for the purchase of Sobstad sails. His intention was
to take Sobstad into the next generation of sail design. A conceptual
visionary, Tom knew his success as a sailmaker hinged on exploiting
“every single opportunity to improve aerodynamics,” and that doing
so would require a team of talented people around him, working
towards a common goal. His mission? To revolutionize sail design
leveraging the latest, greatest technologies.
THE AMERICA’S CUP: A LIFE’S AMBITION
Tom Whidden recalls from the age of sixteen that it was his “life’s
ambition” to race in an America’s Cup. During a professional
sailing career that saw Tom race successfully in the Southern Ocean
Racing Conference (SORC) in Miami, Tom was constantly pitted
against another talented skipper named Dennis Conner. Tom and
Dennis both excelled, and outside of the racecourse the two struck
up a friendship. Tom recounts the time he was set to fly home to
Connecticut in ’79, when Dennis—a resident of San Diego—
decided to change his own flight plans in order to persuade Tom
to race with him in the 1980 Cup. Starting with a successful Cup
defense in 1980 aboard Freedom, Tom and Dennis developed a great
working relationship and camaraderie that endures to this day.
TOM WHIDDEN’S
SAILING CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Tom and Dennis are both intense and proud competitors, never
willing to rest on past success and never content finishing second.
At the next America’s Cup in 1983, however, the Americans met a
challenge that proved insurmountable: naval architect Ben Lexcen’s
Australia II. Shrouded in mystery (and her wing keel enshrouded
between races), Australia II bested the Americans’ Liberty four races
to three in Newport. It was news that reverberated across the globe.
It was the first American defeat in the history of the Cup.
• 3–time America’s Cup winner
Instead of licking their wounds following defeat in ‘83, Tom and
Dennis met immediately to hatch a plan to win back the Cup. Tom
insists that neither Dennis nor he would rest until they succeeded.
• 2004: America’s Cup Hall of Fame inductee
• 5–time America’s Cup tactician
• 8–time America’s Cup participant
• 5–time winner of Newport-Bermuda
• 5–time winner (best in class) Miami SORC
• 2–time winner (overall) Miami SORC
• Authored The Art & Science of Sails
and co-authored Championship Tactics
with Gary Jobson
continues on page 53
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Preparing for the ‘87 Cup was intense and draining, with no detail
overlooked. They scheduled training and match-racing in Hawaii,
where they raced a modified version of Liberty against two new
boats, Stars & Stripes 85 and 86. Tom says of training in Hawaii,
“The advantage of training (there) was that we could simulate the
conditions of the breezy Australian summer. The disadvantage was
that we were outside the circle,” which meant they couldn’t keep as
close an eye on competitive boats.
It was a risk that paid off, however—along with another calculated
risk when it came to boat design: the version of Stars & Stripes that
ultimately won back the Cup was not one of the three that trained
in Hawaii but a new boat that was light enough to win the Louis
Vuitton Cup, yet stout enough to perform in the heavier summer
winds, known colloquially as the “Fremantle Doctor.” With Tom as
tactician, Stars & Stripes 87 squeaked past all twelve other challengers
to face Kookaburra III for the trophy. Though the final stage had
everything from big Indian Ocean seas and 20-plus knot breezes as
well as a congenial, party atmosphere, the Americans swept the finals
four races to nil to return the Cup to the U.S., this time to the San
Diego Yacht Club.
HEADING NORTH
For a variety of reasons, Tom’s dream of high-tech sailmaking wasn’t
truly realized until after his return from Fremantle. Just before
moving his wife, Betsy, and their two children to Western Australia,
Tom decided to leave Sobstad and join forces with another local
sailmaker. Terry Kohler, owner of North Sails, was a man who shared
Tom’s drive to create stronger, lighter, and lower-stretch sails. And
just like Tom, Terry wanted to leverage technology to separate North
from the competition. Upon his return from Fremantle in 1987,
Tom became president of North Sails.
Now, 26 years later, North Sails is the undisputed leader in the
development and production of the world’s premier sails. They
have not only supplied the sails to every victorious America’s Cup
campaign since 1992, they are also positioned at the forefront of
exciting research and development. There is no clearer example of
this than when North Sails was approached by Boeing to acquire
technology that enabled quick rotational carbon fiber lay-down
for their new 787 fuselage. North also built a prototype machine
for this process. Developed over nearly three decades, North Sails’
technological leadership has Tom’s signature all over it, and stands as
one of his proudest accomplishments outside of racing.
WHY GRAND BANKS?
It may come as a surprise that such a noted sailor and sailmaker
should own a powerboat, but the truth is Tom’s 55 Eastbay SX fits
him like a glove. After four years of ownership, NorthLight looks
brand new, meticulously maintained and loved. This is not to say
NorthLight never leaves the dock: Tom and Betsy are constantly on
the move. NorthLight cruises around the Northeast all summer and
fall, from New York Yacht Club events to regattas such as Block
Island Race Week, entertaining friends and family along the way. Of
the forces that initially drew him to the Eastbay design, Tom says, “I
needed a particular type of powerboat, something that could support
my sailing habit; something that was handsome and would appeal to
this sailor’s aesthetic.”
Included in that aesthetic was the decision to maintain some of the
traditional wood accents of a Grand Banks. A varnished teak brow
around the housetop, a custom-built teak transom (which is atypical
but beautiful on an Eastbay), and a custom-built and inlaid teak
cockpit table are just some of the features that they wanted. The
table, designed by Tom, is deceptively light and easily dismounts to
stow away in a padded sleeve within the engine room.
Once on board, Tom and Betsy’s care is readily apparent. Stem to stern
the boat is immaculate, adorned with meaningful artwork including
oil paintings from a talented family friend depicting everything from
their favorite cruising grounds to the New York Yacht Club burgee to
their first Eastbay, a 43HX.
While Tom was busy racing Block Island Race Week with his
friend Chuck Townsend (they ended up winning their class), Betsy
graciously invited me out to their mooring. She let me take a few
more photos and we were able to discuss life on the move, raising two
children with an America’s Cup tactician for a husband. Betsy says
that it was a challenge moving kids to Australia, but also says “that
they learned to understand the world better” because of it. When
talk turned to the Eastbay, she recounted with a wry smile a story
from that morning when Tom, to no one in particular, suddenly
exclaimed: “Man, I love this boat!”
IMPORTANCE OF LEGACY
Tom Whidden had two lofty goals by the age of sixteen: to become
a successful sailmaker and to race in an America’s Cup. He stands
today as the CEO and part-owner of the most successful sailmaking
company in history, and as one of the most decorated American
sailors, having sailed in eight America’s Cup campaigns. He is in the
America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, Rhode Island, and along with
Dennis Conner, was bestowed the key to New York City in 1987.
And yet, for all his success, Tom says that he wants his legacy to be
simple: “to be known as an even-keeled gentleman and sportsman,
someone who was an effective communicator and motivator” and
always won—or lost—the right way.
Tom Whidden is direct, concise and efficient. You have to pay
attention to keep up with his pace. He is whip-smart, funny,
charismatic. It is no wonder he was able to translate these qualities to
the racecourse, to his crew, and to the captains of the boats on which
he raced and races still today. It is no wonder he is considered to have
one the most successful sailing minds—and careers—in the history
of the sport. ••
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Tom & Betsy Whidden’s NorthLight, en route
to Block Island Race Week from Newport
JAPAN’S INL AND SEA
Raw Adventure on Japan’s
Inland Sea
S P R AY
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In other words, ideal cruising grounds for a Grand Banks.
Most of the sea lies within the Setonaikai National Park, making
it even more attractive for its peaceful, protected beauty. In
fact, the Inland Sea is regarded as one of the most beautiful
and peaceful parts of Japan, blessed with superb coastal scenery,
charming farms, slow-paced fishing villages, a mild climate, and
over 3,000 small volcanic and granite islands within its 3,700
square miles. Mountains on Honshu to the north and Shikoku to
the south frame the sea almost like a valley, adding to the sense of
otherwordliness: cruise through its lake-like waters and you just
may forget you are still in ultra-modern Japan. Many of the people who reside on those islands live the same way
their ancestors did a hundred years ago. The modern mainland
is creeping in, however; development has swiftly engulfed some
islands, and so many young people are moving to the cities that
the government is offering them cash, free boats and housing if
they come back.
afterwards, as nemo recounted the meal,
he couldn’t help adding: “the octopus was
still moving in my stomach. truly.”
designated as scenic beauty spots in Japan. Hishima Island is a
place where camellias grow in abundance. Mushima Island is full
of narcissus flowers.
And one island—Manabe, or Manabeshima to the Japanese—
offers a treasure of a different sort. Manabe Island is a small mass
of land with a population of 400, a beautiful mountaintop park,
and an ages-old townscape beside the water.
And just one serious restaurant: Ryouka. What a restaurant it is.
Though the majority of guests come by private boat—which
in most cases might suggest a rather limited lunch crowd—we
recommend you don’t bother showing up to this famous eatery
without reservations, even for a quick weekend meal.
Fortunately, the crew of GB47EU-099 had planned in advance.
The boat’s owner—along with GB’s own Hank Compton and
Futoshi “Nemo” Ninomiya from Grand Banks Japan—booked a
table long before pushing off from Kobe, about 90 nautical miles
ENE of Manabe. But the cruise was far from the only memorable
part of that day.
For those not in the know, Ryouka serves live seafood—live
octopus, live shrimp, and other live species abundant in the
surrounding sea. Some have said, jokingly, that its cooks must
be very lazy; but the food and the experience come highly
recommended for truly adventurous eaters.
After docking the 47EU in Manabe port, our intrepid travelers
entered the restaurant and were ushered to their table, passing
along the way a pool of live fish in the center of the room. A
short while later, their waitress came in with a large, shallow
lacquerware bowl—containing shrimp, all still very much alive.
Some scrambled out of the bowl while the three diners each
grabbed a shrimp, prying off the heads and pulling off the legs
and tails before popping the body into their mouths. “Oishii!”
Plenty of raw beauty remains, and it can set you wondering why
anyone would wish to leave. As Donald Richie, author of The
Inland Sea put it, “A castaway, given the choice between a Greek
and a Japanese island, would swim toward the latter. It looks like
a place where it would be nice to live.”
Many other specialties followed, perhaps none so notable as the
octopus—live and waving its legs from the bowl. The legs were
cut up into small pieces, about 5 cm long, but each had a life of
its own; the trick, apparently, is to clench a writhing piece in your
chopsticks, take a deep breath, and pop it into your mouth.
Indeed, the beaches, piers, harbors and forests that cover so
many of the islands here make each one seem like its own perfect
getaway, wholly enchanting until the next island lures you away.
Afterwards, as Nemo recounted the meal, he couldn’t help adding:
“The octopus was still moving in my stomach. Truly.”
Many of those islands cluster in small chains, and among those
three thousand islands is one small chain, the Kasaoka Islands,
that lies in a narrow stretch of sea between Honshu and Shikoku.
Thirty-one islands of varying size, some quite small and lovely,
make up the Kasaokas. Takashima Island and Shiraishi Island are
Come for the food or just come for the cruising: whatever
your pleasure, a voyage through the Inland Sea is a unique and
memorable experience indeed. ••
S P R AY
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JAPAN’S INL AND SEA
J
apan’s Inland Sea—Seto Naikai—has drawn comparisons
with the Mediterranean for its mild climate and the relaxed
disposition of the island inhabitants there. Unlike the
Med, it has not become a Mecca for millionaires on megayachts
or gliteratti storming the sun-toasted beaches. Much like the
Med, though, the Inland Sea does offer mile after nautical mile
of coastline to explore, with thousands of islands and countless
harbors beckoning a closer look.
43EU SUCCESS STORY
Airborne aboard
the 43 Heritage EU
In December, PassageMaker magazine sent Milt and Judy Baker
to St. Petersburg, Florida. Their mission: get aboard the 43EU for
one of the first media sea trials of this acclaimed new model...
Milt approached the task not as a staff writer or world-weary
freelancer for the industry; instead, Milt came to the sea trial as an
experienced and knowledgeable GB owner. He and his wife first
purchased a GB 32 in the late 80s, then traded up to a GB 42.
Over a span of 15 years the couple racked up over 25,000 miles
cruising between Florida, the Bahamas, Havana and Halifax.
Thus, when Milt took the new 43EU out into Tampa Bay that
day, it was with confidence that he knew a lot about Grand Banks’
yachts. And, once it was all over, here was Milt’s take:
“This is a wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing yacht, radically different from any
Grand Banks I’ve ever known. Pierside or loafing along at 8 or 9 knots,
she may look a lot like a GB from the past, but with this new model
on plane at 20-plus knots the onboard sensation is more like flying.
This is a new kind of GB, one of the most responsive motoryachts I’ve
ever handled.”
Milt concluded the article by remarking on the forward progress
this yacht represents for Grand Banks:
“Until I met the new 43EU I’d never quite thought of GBs as
revolutionary yachts. To the contrary, knowing GBs on a first-name
basis for decades I’d always considered them more evolutionary—each
new design and each hull number within a line is better than those
that came before it. This new 43EU has opened my eyes and changed
my thinking.”
Get the full story: read Milt’s article, “Airborne,” in the April 2013
issue of PassageMaker—you can order back issues and find loads of
valuable cruising articles online at passagemaker.com.
P H O T O G R A P H Y \ J O N AT H A N C O O P E R
S P R AY
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43EU SUCCESS STORY
Milt Baker
PassageMaker / April 2013
This is a wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing yacht, radically different from
any Grand Banks I’ve ever known... This is a new kind of GB,
one of the most responsive motoryachts I’ve ever handled.
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43EU SUCCESS STORY
milt’s top ten reasons
to love the 43 heritage eu
In excerpts from his article, here’s Milt Baker’s take on ten key features
Photos [clockwise from top, by row] : Feet on the wheel at the 43’s flybridge
helm with 360-degree views; A view of the tidy twin cabin with hanging locker,
Jack & Jill access to head, and portlights; The ample aft cockpit with staircase
access to the flybridge; Easy-access engine room showing Cummins engines that
lead to pods; Under the salon floor lives a large space for storage as well as
optional clothes washer/dryer and extra freezer; Enjoying morning coffee in the
galley; Generous salon, galley, and interior pilohouse (shown with L-settee and
straight banquette to starboard).
Storage Space
Joystick Maneuvering
[The Zeus drive helps by] freeing up the space under the main cabin
sole, where this boat has a very handy walk-in utility room with
space for freezer, watermaker, washer/dryer, and more.
My favorite feature: the ability to move the yacht sideways, right
into that tight slip on the face dock, for example, by simply moving
the joystick right or left. It’s so easy, so intuitive you can teach your
10-year-old to dock this GB in 10 minutes.
Quiet, Comfortable Ride
To my ears this is the quietest, smoothest Grand Banks I’ve ever
driven. Losing the heat and most of the vibration is an added plus.
Skyhook Station-keeping
We sampled the Skyhook feature twice on sea trial and found it
performs as advertised—with Skyhook engaged, our 43 EU never
moved more than 10 feet from her original position.
Dry Ride
After working her hard for two-plus hours on Tampa Bay I found her
rails salt-free—and not a drop on the windshields. Even when spray
tries to fly up, the flared topsides force it down.
GB Quality
The look is unmistakably GB, the timeless profile with moldedin faux planking, teak planked transom, flawless gelcoat, highly
polished stainless steel, oversized cleats and hawses, and seriously
wide side decks—everywhere you look this yacht connotes upscale
quality and experience.
Flexible Cruising
The 43EU is designed from the keel up to be a planing boat—but
one that can also cruise comfortably at lower, more economical
speeds. That’s a claim made by many so-called “fast trawlers,” but
this boat really pulls off the fast trawler trick because the Zeus drives
deliver exceptional maneuverability at low and speeds high.
Fuel Efficiency
I found the 43 EU’s fuel burn very efficient at 8.8 knots, yielding a
no-reserve range of 600 miles (1 USG per mile).
Low Emissions
With Zeus drives, the exhaust exits the boat through the propeller
hubs, and I saw no evidence of smoke even when the engines were
loaded heavily with the boat coming out of the hole.
Performance & Responsiveness
I found this yacht like driving a sports car: sure-footed, silky-smooth,
and easy to handle at all speeds…what won me over was 43 EU’s
responsiveness, something that derives from both her hull design
and her independently steerable Zeus drives.
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PT’S VINTAGE APPEAL
vintage
appeal
SITTING ON THE BLUSTERY FRONTIER WHERE
NORTH AMERICA IS CARVED OUT BY THE PACIFIC,
HISTORIC PORT TOWNSEND EMBRACES AND
NURTURES ITS NAUTICAL HERITAGE.
COMPLETE WITH A STUNNING NEW MARITIME
CENTER THAT SERVES DOUBLE-DUTY AS A MECCA
FOR SHIPWRIGHTS AS WELL AS A MODERN-DAY
SHIP’S TRAINING CENTER, “PT” IS A THRIVING
EXAMPLE OF SEAMLESSLY BLENDING THE OLD
WITH THE NEW.
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHY \ JONATHAN COOPER
A look at the docks that will host the 37th
Annual Wooden Boat Festival this September
6-8 ... along with a few festival candidates
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Launched in 1913 at Rice Brothers’ Yard in East Boothbay, Maine, the gaff-rigged schooner Adventuress is a common sight on Port
Townsend Bay and beyond. Operated by Sound Experience—a local non-profit—Adventuress hosts youth education programs for over
3,000 young adults and adults annually. According to SoundExperience.org, the program is actively supported by hundreds of volunteers
who help crew for school groups, public day sails, week long trips and continue the work of historic preservation and restoration.
Adventuress under sail, with a training group on board.
N
ear the entrance to Port Townsend sits a welcome sign
that bills this gem of town as a “Victorian Seaport and
Arts Community.” That’s true enough, but far from the
whole story. Port Townsend has not only acknowledged its maritime
heartbeat, it has embraced and elevated and nourished it. Among
its world-class boatbuilders and marine tradespeople, within the
sparkling and relatively new Maritime Center, and throughout its
residents, business and civic leaders, you’ll find saltwater and spar
varnish running through the veins of this singular seaside town.
Situated about as far northwest as you can go in the United States
without plopping yourself into the vast Pacific, Port Townsend,
Washington, is both a haven and a breeding ground for artists,
furniture-makers, bakers, booksellers and boat builders. Its appeal
is unmistakable: with towering Douglas fir trees and sweeping views
over the entrance to Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca,
Port Townsend offers something for everyone: a small movie theater
and performing arts center, quality restaurants and grocery stores,
art galleries, and even car-ferry service from the mainland if you’re
planning to rendezvous with landlubbers.
Port Townsend Shipyard, just west of the public marina, is one of
the big attractions for seafarers; the 150-foot/330-ton might of their
TravelLift brings many an impressive species of ship to its expansive
grounds. It is often a fun diversion to simply walk the gravel yard
and inspect the variety of ongoing projects on the hard. The local
Wooden Boat Foundation and the Northwest School of Wooden
Boatbuilding both call the shipyard home, as do many of the marine
businesses that cater to boat construction, repair, and restoration—
with an emphasis on wooden boats, of course.
Farther up the road into town, many of the beautiful Victorianera buildings stand proudly preserved as homes, B&Bs and other
enterprises. A swoon in the town’s economy during the late 1800s
prompted a population exodus that actually helped maintain Port
Townsend’s charm rather than “renew” it, preserving it for over a
century to come. As the economy improved during the 20th century,
the town grew vital and vibrant, pulling in tourists by the ferryboatload. Today Port Townsend is as picturesque as it is quaint, sporting
a full-time population of just ten thousand residents.
Many of those residents have witnessed a renaissance over the past few
decades; festivals attract visitors far and wide to celebrate everything
from independent cinema and steampunk to rhododendrons and
vintage cars. The most renowned event of all, though, is the annual
Wooden Boat Festival, now in its 37th year. With more than 300
wooden vessels, dozens of indoor and outdoor presentations and
demonstrations, a who’s who of wooden boat experts and thousands
of wooden boat enthusiasts, it is the largest wooden boat festival in
North America.
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The festival takes place each year at Point Hudson Marina and the
adjacent Northwest Maritime Center, where Jake Beattie is the
enthusiastic and energetic young Executive Director. A jewel of
contemporary design, the Maritime Center features contemporary,
large-timber architecture featuring open spaces, breezeways, a café,
chandlery, nautical library, and much more. This is Jake’s domain,
and it operates as a unified social and educational meeting place.
It serves as a modern example of the community business model,
as six separate business entities share office space within its walls.
It has a state-of-the-art training center for ship’s captains—or
young, aspiring captains—to train in a virtual world complete
with huge flat-screen displays and expensive software. It contains a
beautiful Center for Wooden Boats, where just about anyone with
the time can rent space, access tools, and mind-meld with other
knowledgeable shipwrights (and in Port Townsend, knowledgeable
shipwrights are the norm).
Education has become a primary focus of the Maritime Center as
well. Programs for troubled youth offer classes in shipbuilding from
scratch; on my tour I saw the skiff that is used as the model for
teaching these kids how to loft water- and station-lines, and mill
and assemble their own boat from raw materials.
In Port Townsend’s public schools, experiential education will soon
take on a whole new shape and dimension. Jake, along with Port
Townsend Schools Superintendent David Engle, have developed
a plan to integrate teachings from the Maritime Center into the
school system. The idea is “place-based curriculum that unifies
learning along a central focus for a student’s entire school career.”
In other words, why not use Port Townsend’s biggest geographic
benefit—and this amazing new facility—to their full advantage?
From the age of five to eighteen, kids in the local school system will
be able to translate math, science, and history lessons directly into
continues on page 73
PHOTO [Above, clockwise] PT’s old and new, represented in sailing
dinghies; Port Townsend Salmon Club sign and pier leading out to
the Adventuress in the background; Lots of beautiful handiwork on
sale at the Maritime Center’s chandlery; Grade school student art
pinned up on the walls of the Wooden Boat Foundation.
OPPOSITE A collection of oars for the multitude of rowing skiffs and
shells that are housed in a separate space.
S P R AY
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At the Maritime Center, the corridor connecting the
boat shed, chandlery, and café, with the training
center, classrooms, and wooden boat center.
OPPOSITE [Top] Beehive of activity at the Maritime
Center’s Wooden Boat Foundation where classes are
held and space can be leased [Bottom] The McCurdy
Library, a beautiful and quiet space within the Center.
Center
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PHOTOS [Top] The Maritime Center at sunset.
[Below, left to right] Stunning example of one
of the many wooden boats on site; Craftsmen
at the Wooden Boat Foundation.
a practical maritime application. Not all of these children
will go on to pursue a career in the field, but they will all
graduate with a respect for the sea—and a more informed
and intimate understanding of their environs.
Port Townsend once aimed to be called the City of Dreams;
its ambition was to become the largest seaport on the West
Coast. That dream may have vanished long ago, but what
has survived and thrives today is far more important. Port
Townsend isn’t just quaintly bohemian—it’s a vibrant
maritime community, bustling with irrepressible passion
for the boats and boating, strengthened by men and
women who excel at their trades, and united by a civic
dedication to the industry. Together they will ensure the
town’s success well into this century and beyond.
S P R AY
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local color : s/v miraka
It’s not much of a coincidence that an historic
seafaring town like Port Towsend and an
eminent boatbuilder like Grand Banks would
be linked in all manner of ways across the
decades. Just scratch the surface and you’ll hear
stories of how so many boats—and people—
that have come out of the GB factory eventually
find their way into the boatyards of this Puget
Sound seaport.
Port Townsend Primer
How to Get Here
By Boat
For those coming from out of state, Seattle is the nearest city with
a major airport. From there you can take the Seattle-Bainbridge Island Ferry and drive north across the Hood Canal Bridge and up the
Quimper Peninsula, where you’ll find Port Townsend at the tip. Or
you can travel via Whidbey Island and hop the short ferry there from
Keystone directly to Port Townsend. If you’re coming by boat, set
target coordinates near 48.06.96 N, 122.44.42 W.
Port Townsend is ideally located for cruising the region: a charming
and beautiful destination for those touring the Puget Sound, or the
perfect jumping-off point for a voyage through the San Juans and up
into Canada. Boat Haven Marina is a large facility with lots of guest
moorage and access to services. Point Hudson Marina is smaller but
packs a lot more charm and sits just a short walk from the heart of
the historic downtown. Looking to charter? PT is an easy day’s cruise
from NW Explorations in Bellingham, an all-GB charter operation
with loads of regional cruising expertise (nwexplorations.com).
There’s something for every season at Port Townsend, but for warm
and sunny weather the most reliable months are July to September.
A perfect time to visit would be early September, during the annual
Wooden Boat Festival (Sept. 6-8 in 2013), when more than 300
beautiful wooden vessels are on display: woodenboat.org for details.
More Information
Want to learn more or plan your visit? Two great
websites are loaded with information about
lodging, restaurants and activities in and around
Port Townsend: ptguide.com and enjoypt.com.
Notably, Miraka is a topsail ketch, with square
sails on her main mast. Angleman and Davies
designed the Mayflower with a square sail,
though most of the buyers never opted for that
option.
Local Knowledge
Port Townsend is home to scores of delightful attractions: museums,
shops, restaurants, breweries, hiking and beachcombing—and, of
course the NW Maritime Center and Wooden Boat Foundation.
Once you’ve hit the main attractions, try an off-the-beaten-path experience for dinner: head to the south end of Port Townsend Bay
for a memorable meal at the Ajax Café in tiny nearby town of Port
Hadlock. Tie up your boat at the dock across the street from the
charmingly funky restaurant, then follow the delicious scents of local-grown goods cooked by the talented kitchen crew. Amazing food,
warm service and irresistible desserts await. Visit ajaxcafe.com for
their menu, directions, special events and more .
san juan islands
port
pacific ocean
When to Go
Among the many crossed paths and
connections, the story of S/V Miraka has a
particularly “vintage appeal” for GB enthusiasts.
The Miraka was built in 1961 at the original
Grand Banks factory in Hong Kong, which at
that time operated under the name American
Marine. She was a Mayflower—a ketch design
by Hugh Angelman and Charles Davies—
the eighth of ten such sailing vessels built by
American Marine between 1957 and 1962.
townsend
seattle
washington state
But Neville Brand did. As a Hollywood actor
who once appeared in a pirate movie—as well
as many other films, TV shows and, most
notably, as the prison warden in the original
Birdman of Alcatraz film—he may have been
drawn to the enchanting, storybookish charm
of a Mayflower with square sails and a "great
cabin" aft with ornate windows in the transom.
Whatever the case, Brand commissioned and
took delivery of Miraka and was her most
celebrated owner.
Eventually, in 1992, she was purchased by
her current owners after they discovered her
moored at Friday Harbor, Washington, in need
of some serious tender loving care.
S P R AY
Which brings the tale of one not-quite-tall ship
to Port Townsend. As her current owners note,
“wooden boats such as Miraka require the finest
craftsmen available, and they are to be found
in the wooden boat capital of the West in Port
Townsend.”
For seven years there she came under the
constant care and ministrations of Galmukoff
Marine, “who employed only the best
shipwrights and artisans available.”
Fortunately, they had a solid foundation to
work from. “Miraka’s original construction
was the best to be found,” say her owners.
“The quality of the teak is extraordinary, no
longer available to our knowledge. Her hull is
1-5/8” old-growth Burmese teak planking on
4x4" double-sawn I-pole frames, 16 inches on
center, all re-fastened and recorked. The deck
is 1-1/2" old growth Burmese teak refastened
with 2-3/4" silicon bronze fasteners.
“From that day to now she has been completely
restored from the keel to the top of the mast.
All power, electrical and plumbing systems have
been upgraded and updated or replaced to meet
today's standards.”
According to a website that now lists Miraka
for sale, “She has all the current navigation
equipment, including an autopilot and GPS
that integrates with a laptop computer. There
is not an aspect of her that was overlooked
mechanically or asthetically.”
“The list of work accomplished on Miraka over
the years is endless. She's a beauty, and our only
problem was that when she was finished she
wouldn't fit inside a glass bottle.”
75
... the relationship between Angelman and Davies was a particularly strong and successful one-and-one
that to this day still brings great satisfaction and delight to many owners around the world
American Marine built ten Mayflowers
by the time Yachting magazine featured
the design in its February, 1961 issue. By
then, Angelman and Davies had moved
on to a new collaboration, this time for a
powerboat—a design they eventually name
the “Chantyman.”
american marine &
angelman / davies
Built exclusively by American Marine,
thirty of the these wooden vessels left the
factory for customers around the world,
and many continue to show up at Grand
Banks rendezvous events today. (See Spray
Vol 6, no. 3, for a feature on the major refit
of a GB Chantyman). Diesel-powered, the
34’-6” boat had a raised pilothouse, high
bulwarks and workmanlike lines. It may
not have looked much like the GB36 that
would follow a few years later, but the
Chantyman certainly was a design that
introduced the concept of a production
trawler-type production yacht to the
boating world.
ANGELMAN / DAVIES
A spar, rigging (even a ratline)
pictured on the Angelman/Daviesdesigned Mayflower ketch.
In its earliest years Grand Banks—then
American Marine—built sailing vessels
and motor yachts designed by many of the
top names in yachting: Herreshoff, Hunt,
Garden, Sparkman & Stephens. But the
relationship with Angelman and Davies was
a particularly strong and successful one—
and one that to this day still brings great
satisfaction and delight to many owners
around the world. ••
PHOTOS (clockwise from left) Oil painting,
by Peter Ellenshaw, of the original Sea
Witch; The Mayflower ketch, under sail in
Seattle’s Elliott Bay; Beautifully-restored
Chantyman trawler.
E X P L O R I N G T H E R E L AT I O N S H I P B E T W E E N A L E G E N D A R Y
B O AT B U I L D E R A N D T W O TA L E N T E D N AVA L A R C H I T E C T S
S
/V Miraka is certainly not the only American Marine-built
Mayflower still on the waters. In fact, she’s not even the only
Mayflower still sailing in Puget Sound. A 2006 issue of this
magazine featured a profile on Cutty Sark, the very first Mayflower
built by American Marine; that vessel is still plying the waters
around Whidbey Island and the San Juans, just a short distance
from Port Townsend. A quick internet search will reveal other AMbuilt Mayflowers for sale at various locations around the world.
Clearly the Mayflower—like so many other GB models through
the years—has proved to be an enduring design, built to stand the
test of time. It’s also one of several that had its origins at the hands
of Hugh Angelman and Charles Davies.
It was the mid-1950s when Davies invited Angelman to join him at
an office he opened as a boat surveyor in Newport Beach. By that
time their relationship stretched back some twenty years: in 1936,
Angelman was already an accomplished yacht designer, and Davies
became his protégé—on the way to becoming his longtime friend
and business partner, too.
Back in those early years Davies had helped Angelman with his
design of the Sea Witch, a 35-foot ketch that is considered both
his favorite and most popular design. Angelman built the first Sea
Witch for himself, but many more were built in later years by
American Marine at the factory in Hong Kong’s Junk Bay—each
with 1-3/4” teak planking on double-sawn 1-3/4” frames of yacal
hardwood, and massive 3-1/2” floors, all fastened with siliconbronze. Clearly these were boats built to withstand the rigors of
ocean travel, and indeed many cruised the high seas and competed
successfully in ocean-crossing races.
Back together in Newport Beach, Angelman and Davies “realized
how the Sea Witch enchanted admirers,” according to one of the
most authoritative websites to chronicle the history of the Sea
Witch. “The Mayflower was the next step beyond Sea Witch when
it comes to ‘traditional sail.’ She was a larger vessel, designed for
more affluent traditional ship lovers. She was 40 foot on deck, and
only had about five inches more beam than Sea Witch, but she has
the appearance of a full grown ship, compete with square sails and
the luxury of great cabin aft.”
S P R AY
77
ALL-NEW GB SPARE PARTS KITS
B
Breeding
Yacht Services
Total Yacht Management
Services include: Refits, Detailing, Boat Show Prep,
Deliveries, Short- and Long-Term Cruises, &
Maintenance Programs
Serving South Florida since 2002
Over 35 years of experience, including extensive
experience with Grand Banks
Call Breeding Yacht Services and discover the peace of
mind that experience, knowledge and integrity can offer.
Captain Oscar V. Breeding
[email protected]
breedingyachtservices.com
Mobile: 954.646.0706
CONFIDENCE TO SPARE
new gb spare parts kits
available now at gb parts
To make a great cruising experience even better, Grand Banks
has developed new spare parts kits designed specifically for
every model we sell—helping owners cast off on each new
journey with more confidence and convenience than ever.
For each new GB model you can choose between two versions
of our Spare Parts Kit, available as optional equipment with
any new model or for online purchase at gbparts.com:
Regional Spares Kit—includes a wide selection of the most
commonly used spare parts and replacement hardware. Each
kit is designed for a specific GB model with all filters, pumps,
electrical and mechanical items that match the same engines,
generators, marine heads, air conditioning and electrical
panels. Also included is a full slate of spare light bulbs, fuses,
switches and breakers.
Extended Spares Kit—designed for the owner who requires
an even more comprehensive kit for longer journeys, the
Extended Kit features all the components in the Regional
Kit, plus an additional larger items such as replacement bilge,
macerator and air conditioning pumps (depending on the size
of each vessel). The Extended Kit is a good option for owners
planning longer trips to more remote locations, where the
purchase of replacement parts can be problematic due.
Have an older Grand Banks? We’re coming out with a kit
for you, too. Our parts department is currently preparing a
General Spares Kit for models no longer in production. This
more generic kit still offers a good inventory of basic items
that typically need replacement over time. Look for more
details on all of these spare parts kits at: gbparts.com/spares
• Terms specifically for GB owners
• No survey required for vessels up to 20 years of age
• Automatic $1,000,000 liability limit
• Competitive pricing, higher limits available
• Uninsured & personal effects coverage
• Hull & machinery deductible only 1/2 of 1%
Info & application online: grandbanks.com/insurance
Exclusive Yacht Insurance Program for GB Owners
kiwi
communiqué
Dispatch by James Purves Manager, Grand Banks New Zealand
O
ne of the nice things about showing a 53 Aleutian RP
at the Auckland Boat Show in September 2012 (to our
knowledge the first new Grand Banks ever sold in New
Zealand and the first GB shown at a boat show here) was the number of people who made the effort to come and introduce themselves
as Grand Banks owners. As a result I have identified 18 Grand Banks
yachts in New Zealand, dating as far back as 1967—four of which
met at Opunga Cove in the Bay of Islands on the 5th of January for
the first GB rendezvous in New Zealand.
In addition to the 53RP, Cabana, participating boats included Anne,
a 2009 41EU originally delivered to an owner in Hong Kong (who
now has a GB52) and now owned by a UK-based farmer who keeps
the boat in New Zealand as an escape from UK winters. At the other
end of the age scale were two "woodies," and like all GBs they have a
great story and some very proud and dedicated owners.
Katie Didit is a 1969 36 Classic (hull 142), owned by a Kiwi/Canadian couple for the last 12 years and cruised extensively in New
Zealand for 5 months every year. Katie (the original owner) is 95
and still living in California; she bought the boat for her husband
GBS AROUND THE GLOBE
Photos by Sandra Purves & others
when he retired from a career in the US military, using her stock
market gains from trades exercised over the years (and unknown to
her husband—hence the name “Katie Didit”). Two years ago the
current owners invited Katie’s daughter to come and use the boat in
New Zealand, which she did. The boat is in exceptional condition,
although the owners are beginning to think of a move up to a GB
42 for more space, as it is their home too.
Not to be outdone, Yankee is a 1967 42 Classic (hull 43) bought
two years ago by its current owners. It had been imported from the
U.S. and done up by a boatyard owner in Tauranga, NZ; the current
owners acquired it from them and continued the refurbishment.
Quite a few second-hand GBs have arrived in New Zealand over the
last 5 years, the recent strength of the New Zealand dollar having allowed many people to realise their dream of owning a Grand Banks
Yacht—a goal still shared by many.
The weekend was spent visiting each other’s yachts, and I hosted a
drinks party on board Anne on a lovely summer evening. Hopefully
this will be the first of many rendezvous in New Zealand.
S P R AY
81
ENGINEERED FOR EXCELLENCE
ENGINEERED
FOR
EXCELLENCE
A yacht’s engine room reveals a lot about
the quality of design and construction that
goes into the overall vessel
STORY \ DAVID HENSEL
S P R AY
83
B
oat buying is an exercise in contrasts and comparisons, stacking up one brand’s model against another across a variety of key criteria:
storage, safety, speed, fit and finish—the list goes on and on. For one set of buyers, many of whom have a Grand Banks on their list,
there’s no benchmark more important than the quality of a boat’s engine room. They know it’s not only the heart of vessel operations,
but also a leading indicator of how well the rest of the boat is designed, engineered and constructed.
It’s no secret that Grand Banks is well known for yachts with smart, sensible, well-crafted engine rooms. But for those new to the game, what
exactly does that mean? What makes for a good engine room, and what sets Grand Banks apart from so many other builders? Let’s take a
look at a few general areas that buyers should think about when making their evaluations…
Par t I
CONSTRUCTION
Before a through-hull, engine, genset or other piece of gear goes
in place, a good engine room must be soundly built to house and
protect it all in the best possible manner. Beyond the expert handlaid FRP construction of the entire hull, Grand Banks takes other
considerations for the engine room and related systems. For instance,
secondary FRP lamination includes non-structural marine-grade
plywood pads in the hull to receive screws for wire and tube runs,
reducing the risk that moisture could penetrate into cored hull sides.
In addition, engine beds are carefully designed and constructed to
spread loads evenly; closed-cell foam stringer grids are laid up with
steel plates at engine installation points that are drilled and tapped
before the top layers of FRP laminate are added. Depending on the
model, the beds are either painted with Awlgrip or topped with
polished stainless steel.
Par t II
PL ACEMENT
Once the room is built, engines and equipment are placed in a
manner that optimizes safety while making it easy to reach gear
that must be accessed most frequently. For instance, remote coolant
reservoirs are placed within short and clear sight and reach of the
central walkway, and of course engines are handed inboard where
dipsticks can be quickly checked. Raw-water strainers and fuel-water
separators are similarly located so that a quick dash into the engine
compartment is all it takes to check their status. For each model, a
great deal of thought goes into where things like fuel-distribution
valves, pump levers, switch panels, gauges and other vital indicators
and equipment are sited.
S P R AY
85
Part III
MATERIALS
Top-name engines and equipment help us deliver superior
performance for each of our models. But that same eye for
quality must also go into all the parts and pieces that connect
and keep it running, and this is where you may see some
builders cut corners. Grand Banks uses bronze throughhulls and seacocks from Groco, for example, where some
brands settle for plastic. Our exhaust risers and connections
are specially made of stainless steel near our factory, while
top-quality exhaust hoses from Trident Marine are strong yet
flexible to reduce vibration. Wire runs use Ancor marine-grade
wire—Type 3 (ultra flexible) to resist fatigue due to vibration
and flexing. You’ll find many more examples throughout the
engine room, such as USCG-rated hoses and fittings or bronze
(not stainless) fasteners for through-bolting seacock flanges
into their backing blocks.
Part IV INSTALL ATION
One of the first things many buyers notice when entering a
GB engine room is how smart and sensibly our systems are
installed. Wire runs, hoses and equipment are cleanly, clearly
laid out and labeled to correspond with the owner manual;
maintenance and aftermarket additions are easy to perform
without confusion. Every switch, fuse and circuit breaker is
also clearly marked. You’ll find many other important details—
such as auto-pilot connection points with shut-off valves on
the hydraulic steering system, anti-chafe looms at key points
on wire runs, and hose clamps fitted with screws of stainless
(not mild) steel—that make a big difference in the reliability
and durability of your Grand Banks. Importantly, installation
is performed to rigorous ABYC safety standards and inspected
for compliance.
Part V FIT & FINISH
A bright, clean engine room is key to performing easy checks
and maintenance, spotting any problems that may arise, and
ensuring the proper operation of systems and equipment.
On new GB models, that starts from down low with a bilge
coating from CCP Composites specially formulated for high
performance against water and chemicals, with superior
resistance to water blistering that’s designed to yield a highlyfinished, easy-to-clean surface. Higher up, you’ll find highgrade headliner in matching white, neatly fitted and secured
by metal battens. Ample lighting is provided by bright, welllocated LED fixtures, with separate emergency engine-room
lighting on a different circuit.
S P R AY
87
Par t VI
INSUL ATION & NOISE REDUCTION
Known for their superior quiet and comfort, our boats utilize
a variety of tactics and materials to contain engine room sound
and vibration. Vibration dampening materials are bonded to
structural panels to dampen vibration noise, while pumps and
machinery components have rubber isolation mounts. Support
stringers a filled with rockwool insulation and vinyl foam
barrier treatments to absorb and reduce machinery noise. All
machinery space bulkhead penetrations are sealed with silicone.
Acoustic insulation keeps noise from escaping through floors and
bulkheads; composite cabin soles are used for additional sound
absorption. Positive latching systems and gaskets keep engine
room noise from leaking out at doorways and hatches.
Par t VII
SYSTEMS & VESSEL PROTECTION
Now that you’ve got a beautiful, well-designed and equipped
engine room, we do our best to help protect it along with you and
your crew. That includes a pair of Delta T demisters to ensure that
air supplied to the engines is free of spray and mist—preventing
corrosion and engine wear. The industry-leading Fireboy Total
Flooding Clean Agent system, which will deploy automatically
or can be manually triggered at the helm, gives protection
against engine-room fire. A galvanic isolation protection system
provides onboard testing and monitoring of shore power, and
carbon monoxide detectors in the engine room give warning of
dangerous exhaust gas levels.
A W A R D
A N T I
R O L L
W I N N I N G
G Y R O
S T A B I L I Z A T I O N
T E C H N O L O G Y
GRAND BANKS NORTHWEST: YOUR HOME FOR
THE CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED 43 HERITAGE EU
AUTHORIZED GB DEALER & BROKERAGE YACHT SPECIALISTS
Grand Banks Northwest is your source for new
Grand Banks yacht and other pre-owned yachts of
distinction in the Pacific Northwest.
A
N
T
I
-
R
O
L
L
G
Y
R
O
S
S E A K E E P E R . C O M
The information here is far from exhaustive; take a close look
throughout any GB engine room and you’ll discover a myriad
more fine details that set it apart from those by other builders. ••
Visit us online at grandbanksnw.com to see our listings
of new and pre-owned yachts, or call to speak about
listing your yacht with one of our experienced brokers.
For enquires on the Twin Disc EJS Express Joystick
System and Seakeeper Gyro Stabilizer, contact your
nearest GB Dealer or email Maurice Ng at:
[email protected]
EASTBAY SERIES
HERITAGE SERIES
ALEUTIAN SERIES
GRAND BANKS NORTHWEST
Tel: (206) 352-0118
[email protected]
grandbanksnw.com
2288 West Commodore Way, Suite 200, Seattle WA 98199
Conveniently located at Salmon Bay Marine Center in Seattle
S P R AY
89
CRUISING SCANDINAVIA
i
d
s
’
n
,
a
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a
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l
c
s na lab
u
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l
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in ent &
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Scandinavian summers are
unpredictable. This summer,
however, has been the best
for decades—and the crew
of Astor, a Grand Banks 36
Classic, has spent every spare
moment enjoying the sun,
the warmth, and the beautiful
silence along the coasts of
Norway and Sweden.
STORY & PHOTOGRAPHS \ INGE JENSEN
S P R AY
91
S P R AY
93
In wintertime, Astor lies in a harbor free from ice. The Oslofjord,
situated in southeastern Norway, is fairly teeming with fish, so
from October to March we often go out fishing. This is also a
good opportunity to keep Astor in shape; there is always work to
be done, always things that can be improved. When the weather
is cold we typically go to places that offer electricity. Onboard
Astor we have a powerful air heater run by diesel, but sometimes
the weather is so cold it’s good to add a heating fan.
When Easter approaches the real boating life starts. If the ice
has melted, the Jensen family sets course eastward to Sweden.
It is always exiting to visit another country, and you find many
Norwegians making the same journey; it is not uncommon to
meet old friends, and maybe even make new ones here after
months with snow and ice.
The west coast of Sweden has many inlets and uninhabited
islands, along with popular destinations like the Koster
Islands. Here you’ll see small fishing villages surrounded by an
amazingly beautiful landscape, with beaches, rocky islands and
the enchanting ‘Koster light’ that has inspired many artists on
the island. You can rent bikes and enjoy a guided tour, or enjoy
the seal safaris, diving and sea kayaking.
The Kosters lie just 10 kilometers west Strømstad, a charming
and picturesque village itself. We stay here 10 days, and the
highlight of our stay is a grand Smörgåsbord.
Each May, the Norwegian Trawler Club has its annual meeting in
the former naval town of Horten, 30 nm south of Oslo. A seaside
town offering plenty of outdoor pursuits, Horten also boasts
a rich maritime heritage dating back to the Vikings. About 15
other boats attend, and we always talk about security along with
having a good time with the other owners.
If you are interested in cruising along the beautiful west coat
and northern parts of Norway, Inge Jensen invites you to contact
him for more information. He is also often in contact with people
interested in used Grand Banks in the region.
FUN FACTS ABOUT INGE JENSEN & ASTOR:
• Astor has been in this the Jensen family since 2008, with
two previous owners. She is in mint condition after being well
treated throughout 39 years. Powered by Volvo TAMD 41 diesels
installed new in 1986, she typically cruises at 7 to 9 knots, has a
top speed of 16.5 knots, and can cruise easily at 12 knots for a
stable ride in rough seas.
• Mr. Inge Jensen, nicknamed Astor, operates “the biggest
boating wesbite in Scandinavia,” baatplassen.no, with 45,000
members. He was elected Boat Enthusiast of the Year in 2007.
Just outside Astor’s homeport are numerous bays and small
islands where it’s easy to find your own little anchorage or to
tie up next to others. The most famous bay of the Oslofjord is
Sandspollen; we can often count up to 300 yachts there.
T
he Norwegian climate varies quite a lot, which is why our
Grand Banks 36 Classic suits us so well. We can use our
vessel in every condition, all year round.
The summer holidays in Norway are from June to August, when
many boating families often set off to Sweden or cruise along
the east coast of Norway. From the Swedish border to Lindesnes,
south of Norway, the beautiful coastal terrain her is very similar
to the west coast of Sweden.
Onboard Astor we also have our favorite destinations: the
small resort towns of Resø and Fjallbacka. Here the Swedish
Crossing Club—where Astor of course has membership—has
buoys and bolted iron on shore for use by its members.
Onboard Astor Mrs. Randi does the cooking; she enjoys the large
galley and especially the big refrigerator, the boat’s original. We
have also installed a new Isotherm cooler. Often on the menu are
mackerel and cod that we catch ourselves. Sometimes friends
gather on board, bringing food to the big table: fish soup, pizza
and other snacks from the local restaurants are popular.
During summertime temperature can vary from 12 to 30 degrees
Celsius, with sea temperatures around 20 degrees—less in the
west and north of Norway. In the fall, Astor is taken ashore for
refitting and bottom paint. This is done in a charming boatyard
at Evjesund, a picturesque pearl in the Oslofjord.
In the wintertime the Oslofjord is packed with ice, so many
owners there lift their boats ashore. Instead, we move Astor to
her winter harbor south of the fjord. For this family Astor is our
gathering place all year round, with children and grandchildren
often onboard. In summer, when the missus is at work, they live
onboard for days as she comes and goes. We find the Grand
Banks Classic to be an ideal family yacht for fishing or cruising
or just for relaxing. We continue to be an enthusiastic boating
family—and we LOVE our Grand Banks.
• In January 2013 Mr. Jensen and two friends formed the Grand
Banks Owners Club of Scandinavia, where he now serves as
president. The club, which continues to grow its roster, currently
has approximately 35 members in Norway, Sweden, Denmark
and Finland, with the most notherly member situated at 69°. An
annual meeting in Sweden in planning for next year.
• Mr Jensen is also a board member of the Norsk Trawlers Club,
where he is responsible for the annual meeting which takes place
in the fortress of Oscarsborg. The club now has 60 members,
owners of different trawler makes and models, all of Norwegian
registry.
• Today, Mr. Jensen is retired at age 63 (“Mrs. Randi has still 6
years to go.”) He works as a freelance reporter for the magazine
Båtens Verden. He knows everybody worth knowing.
S P R AY
95
Reprinted with permission
from AIM Media’s Power & Motoryacht
By Capt. Bill Pike proud owner of a 25-year-old
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
25
Grand Banks 32 Heritage SE
can be the new
5
Gensets, air-conditioning units, MSDs, main engines,
electronics, pumps, motors—you paid good money for
all of this onboard paraphernalia, why not maximize
your investment? Here’s how.
Illustrations by Paul Mirto
Bill Pike is well known, liked and respected in the marine industry as a longtime writer,
skilled boat captain and an all-around great guy. To his work as Executive Editor of Power
& Motoryacht, Bill brings a wealth of experience gained from countless boat tests through the
years—and from the many nautical miles he’s logged aboard Betty Jane, the GB32 he has
loving restored and diligently maintained near his home in Florida. Recently Bill penned a
maintenance article for PMY full of insightful tips and advice for older-model GB owners,
which we are proud to reprint for you here.
Lets face it. If you’ve been into the marine scene for a while now you’ve undoubtedly
realized the awful truth—boats be a pricey habit!
First off, there’s the original cost of the vessel, a not-insignificant sum. But then come
the three oarsmen of the apocalypse: insurance, slip fees, and the ongoing parade of little
projects that present themselves, often charmingly, but also often expensively.
Of course, the whole deal’s worth it. In spades. Boating, after all, is poetry. In
splendidly mellifluous action.
But common sense has gotta figure in too. I mean really—the many systems you’ve got
onboard, which make the poetry so cool and comfortable, actually cost an arm and a
leg. And prematurely losing any or all of this stuff to the sins of perplexity, lackluster
maintenance, or plain ol’ neglect, piles insult on top of injury. So here’s a pointer or
two on how to make the major systems last longer, most of them gleaned from long
association with my own beloved vessel, the Grand Banks 32, Betty Jane.
S P R AY
97
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
prime mover
Pro Tip: Check your oil
levels when the engine is cool
for an accurate reading.
The heart of any powerboat is her powerplant.
Without it, even slo-mo’s a no-no. And
there are any number of comparatively
complex books, Web sites, and magazines
on the market these days that’ll tell you
how to extend the life of your diesel engine
or engines. But oddly enough, the most
important and effective of the whole shebang
seldom gets emphasized.
“If you wanna make a diesel last,” the chief
engineer of an oil-field anchor boat once told
me, “warm the damn thing up before you
put it under load.”
The reason? Pistons in a cold engine are
slightly out of round or, to put it another
way, the sides of a given piston vary slightly
from a perfectly circular circumference.
Moreover, cold pistons tend to be slightly
contracted in terms of size. When you crank
your engine, however, all this changes. Each
piston—made of aluminum in most cases—
assumes an increasingly circular shape and
expands with considerable rapidity, at least
by comparison with the cast-iron or steel
cylinder walls encompassing it. Then, if
throttle is poured on, design tolerances are
quickly exceeded and aluminum is literally
shaved off to fall into the lubricating
oil below. The result is not good—the
engine loses compression over time, fuel
consumption goes up, and you begin to, as
the mechanics say, “burn oil.”
Betty Jane’s engine room, dockside idling
after a run is pointless.
And the second tip? You’ve undoubtedly
been told by some beastly soul over the years
that you should check your engine’s oil only
after it’s been thoroughly warmed up—such
readings, the thinking goes, give a more
accurate picture of what goes on during
normal operation. This is bad advice, however.
The dipsticks in most marine diesels are
marked in accordance with a commissioning
agent’s input during installation. Not only
does the marking take into account the pitch
of the engine (typically upwards, of course),
it also typically represents a cold engine with
all the lubricating oil in the sump.
water, water everywhere
Almost anybody can tell you the two most common ways to keep
your watermaker healthy, namely backflushing it if you plan to
leave your boat for seven to ten days, and pickling it with a special
solution (usually involving the chemical: sodium metabisulphite)
if you plan to leave her for longer. But I’d say there’s something else
you can do that’s way more fundamental and important—make
sure your watermaker’s installed in an appropriate environment.
I’ve seen the electrical connections and/or components on brandnew machines actually fail within a couple of months because
they were mounted in compartments or areas that were subject
to saltwater contamination. Yes, protecting connections with
heat-shrink tubing is good, but making sure your watermaker is
installed in a dry environment away from corrosive brine is better.
Pro Tip: Make sure your watermaker is housed in an area
that’s friendly to electronics. too much moisture or exposure
to salt water can short out a busbar and even start a fire.
genset care & feeding
Two more quick tips before motoring on.
First, lots of guys will tell you to let your
diesel idle dockside for 15 or 20 minutes
after you’ve run it hard—the idea being that
idling somehow cools things down in an ideal
way. Certainly this is all true, if we’re talkin’
a turbocharged engine where idling dockside
after a long run allows the diverse metals
in the turbo to cool without distorting or
warping and also prevents oil from literally
“cooking” and glazing bearings and other
components. But on a turbo-less engine like
the old, naturally aspirated Ford Lehman in
The humble generator is an invaluable
shipmate, particularly for those of us
who cruise in southern climes where airconditioning is truly desirable. And the
primary thing you can do to stretch your
genset’s longevity is to run it, under load
(after a proper warm-up), on a weekly basis.
Pro Tip: Flush your generator’s rawwater cooling system. It’ll keep her
healthier, longer.
easy does it
There are many ways to preserve and extend the health of an anchor windlass. Squishing dielectric grease onto electrical terminals (including those for foot controls) is a good way not
only to protect said terminals but also to make sure you have an anchor when you need one.
And rinsing away salt water with fresh is also important. But probably the most critical thing
you can do to preserve the well-being of an anchor windlass is to retrieve your anchor in the
correct manner after deploying it. You do this by using your boat’s engine(s) to follow the
anchor rode on the bottom as you pick it up, usually with the help of a crewmember who is
conveying directions via hand signals. Using your puny electric windlass motor to routinely
haul a super-hefty boat to her anchor can take years off the motor.
“But I don’t have time,” you say. So hire a
mechanic already—most likely there are
professionals in your area who’ll routinely
crank your main and auxiliary engines as
part of a general mechanical-maintenance
program.
A quick, illustrative story will show the
wisdom of this. A couple of years ago, because
I was routinely failing to give the Onan 4.0
Marine GenSet in Betty’s engine room a
proper workout, I found myself forking
over $1,241.47 to cover the reconditioning
by a fuel injection equipment shop of three
injectors, which had become obfuscated with
shellacked fuel and other gunk.
One more genset-related pointer. Periodically
flushing your genny’s raw-water cooling
system with a descaler like Barnacle Buster
from Trac Ecological (www.trac-online.com)
is a known life-extender. Allowing any cooling
system to become clogged with mineral and
other deposits engenders overheating and
stress, mechanical and otherwise. You can
flush your system with a gizmo like the rather
pricey Port-O-Flush Jr. ($380.95) from Trac
or put something together yourself, using a
5-gallon bucket, an old bilge pump, and a few
fittings and hoses. The mechanic I hire to do
the job employs a device of the latter sort. He
taps into my Onan via the hose emanating
from its dedicated sea strainer, temporarily
removes the impeller from the raw-water
pump (and puts the covering plate back on),
and completes his hookup by returning the
Barnacle Buster fluid to the bucket from a
spot just upstream of the marine muffler. Fire
when ready, Gridley!
Pro Tip: “If you want to make
a diesel last,” the engineer of
an oil-field anchor boat told
me once, “warm the damn
thing up before you put it
under load”
S P R AY
summertime
deluge
During the summer I visit Betty Jane
about once a week. Lord knows what the
temperature rises to inside during my
absence with the Florida sun beating down.
To preserve the gaskets and other interior
components in Betty’s MSD (a pricey Groco
Model K manual type that’s been working
like clockwork for more than ten years
without a rebuild), I add several 8-ounce
cups of fresh water (typically from the sink
in the head) to the bowl at the end of each
visit. Why? The small amount of water that
resides in the bowls of most MSDs after that
final flush, whether the MSDs be manual,
vacuum, or jet, will evaporate in just a few
days, either due to sun-driven heat or the
effects of permanent or semi-permanent airconditioning. What I call my “summertime
deluge” keeps gaskets and other rubbery
components from drying out, a sure way to
destroy them prematurely.
99
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
MAINTENANCE MATTERS
hot & cold
The Marine Air system on the Betty
Jane is 25 years old and still going
like gangbusters—I’ve never had to
recharge it, primarily because there
are no integral hoses or other flexible
connections to leak as there are with
residential machines. I do a couple of
things to keep my system in tip-top
form, however. First, I use expensive 3M Filtrete filters on the intake
vents for both of the self-contained
units onboard and change them every
month or so. This keeps my evaporator coils clean so they can most ef-
ficiently transfer heat and minimize
stress on electrics. And second, I keep
the fins of the evaporator and condenser coils in original condition (or
close to it) with an air-conditioning
comb (one of the niftiest is manufactured by Titan Tools and available at
www.summitracing.com for $8.95),
a device that straightens the easily
bent or crushed aluminum fins of the
coils like a comb passing through hair.
Again, maximizing efficiency (while
reducing stress on electrical components) is the point here.
Pro Tip: A Sea Flush is great for freshwaterflushing generators and AC units.
oh no : a pink prop
the complexities
of splitters
I’m no electrician—never claimed to be. But over
the years, thanks to my brother the electrician
(and an old boat’s ability to teach), I’ve learned a
bit about electricity. For example, one of the things
I avoid while cruising these days (if at all possible)
is hooking up to shore power in unfamiliar marinas using a reverse Y-type splitter. The reason’s not
complicated. Like lots of midrange vessels, the Betty
Jane has a 50-amp electrical system with two legs,
one feeding the two onboard air-conditioning units
and the other feeding everything else. The problem
with employing a reverse Y-type splitter (the sort
that combines two 30-amp shore-power outlets
into one 50-amp plug) is that sometimes, in some
inexpertly-wired marinas, the two side-by-side 30amp outlets on a pedestal will share the same power
wire, a tough-to-diagnose-on-a-stormy-night situation that provides a total of just 30 amps to your
boat, even though you’re seemingly hooked up for
double that amperage. Sure, stuff’ll often work on
half power, but it won’t work either well or healthily.
Pro Tip: An eroded anode in the hot
water heater was the source of a foul
odour in Betty’s fresh water. A new one
was a quick and easy (not to mention
fairly inexpensive) fix.
the evil smell
of corrosion
A couple of years back, a sulfurous odor began emanating
from the hot-water side of Betty’s freshwater system, at
least for a relatively short period after a faucet was turned
on. I asked some friends about the problem and their
opinions were almost unanimous—my Raritan hotwater heater needed to be treated chemically and then
flushed with fresh water, a tedious process the way it
sounded. Rarely into tedium, I telephoned Raritan and
got an easier, lazier take on the problem. The anode in
the unit had probably eroded to a point where it was no
longer preventing corrosion, a Raritan tech said, and the
corrosion was causing the evil smell. “Change the anode
and I’ll bet your problem goes away,” he added cheerily,
“and it’ll make your water heater last longer too.” He was
spot-on, totally.
As we all know, props are pricey. So it was quite understandable when
I freaked out about the color of my prop after a routine boatyard
haulout—bronze that is corroding for one reason or another evinces
a ghastly pinkish color. I addressed the issue by calling a marine
electrician upon the advice of my friend, the boatyard foreman. After
working his magic on Betty’s bonding system the electrician opined,
“You need a shaft brush—your engine’s bonded okay but for some
reason its not making good contact with the propshaft and prop so
they’re not adequately protected.” The shaft brush the guy subsequently
installed for about $60 was a steal by comparison with the price of
a new prop. Connected to a copper bonding strap by means of a
green #8 wire, it rides atop Betty’s propshaft via an arm secured to an
alongside stringer, thereby directly, instead of indirectly, connecting
the propshaft and propeller to Betty’s bonding system. Did it fix the
problem? Yes indeedy, and a nearby shop rescued my prop with some
comparatively inexpensive bronze-infused repair techniques. ***
S P R AY
101
In this section we share some of the places, items and events that caught our
GB YACHTING
attention, the things and experiences we’d like to enjoy on board a Grand Banks.
We encourage you to share your own favorites with us and other GB owners:
go to facebook.com/GrandBanks and post your ideas and recommendations.
GB YACHTING
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR CRUISING EXPERIENCE
GB YACHTING
YACHTING
GB
GB YACHTING
YACHTING
GB
ROYAL SPECTACLE
One in the series of Classic Yachts Challenges that
includes British Classic Week, Nantucket Opera
House Cup and others, the Régates Royales in
Cannes represent one of the most prestigious
fixtures in the entire international regatta season,
reserved for classic and vintage yachts. The large
number and variety of boats present, as well as
its long history, make this event an extraordinary
festival devoted to the sea and its leading ladies.
The name Régates Royales, dating back to 1929,
recalls the royalty who took part in the regattas
with their boats right from the very first years of
the event. Cannes, however, had already acted as
host to the first regatta—for tall ships—organized by
the Société de Régates de Cannes in 1863.
[more at: paneraiclassicyachtschallenge.com]
WRISTWATCH ROUNDUP
HYT H2 Hydromechanical Wristwatch
Seamaster Planet Ocean Ceragold White Planet St. Moritz
Grand Banks designs yachts that harness the forces of fluid dynamics to
ride through seas with unparalleled performance. HYT crafts timepieces
that integrate fluidics into mechanical watch making.
This newest Seamaster has a ceramic bezel whose
diving scale is made of an innovative new product called
Ceragold. Waterproof to around six hundred meters, this
stunning timepiece has a new silicon balance spring from
Si14 that makes it even more reliable.
While the science behind their watches has long been understood—the
repulsive force of molecules that comprise two flexible reservoirs fixed
to each end of a capillary—capturing these principles was a highly
complex endeavor.
HYT’s hydro mechanical technology, for which seven patents have
already been registered, completely re-engineers watch movement with
a unique system of bellows, feelers, cams and pistons. Nothing is left to
chance; each element is wisely thought through and patiently built.
The nature of its hydromechanics also makes it an ideal watch at sea.
Because the total volume in the closed circuit is extremely precise, the
system has a nanotechnology-worthy level of water resistance.
The St. Moritz has a white ceramic 42-millimeters dial and
white strap that is made from alligator leather. The snowwhiteness of ceramics and leather is supplemented with
noble shine of 18-karat rose gold. The transparent cover
of its case back, made from sapphire glass allows direct
viewing of its highly accurate Swiss mechanism.
[more at: omegawatches.com]
The result is more than a watch: the H2 is an incredibly exciting
timepiece with a design that reflects its bold genesis.
[more at: hytwatches.com]
S P R AY
105
GB YACHTING
GB YACHTING
PROTECT YOURSELF
OLDIES BUT
GOODIES
1. Blue Latitudes: Travel back in time (sort of) with this fascinating account from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tony Horwitz
as he retraces key legs of Captain James Cook’s journeys around the globe. Horwitz weaves a narrative that is part
travelogue, part Cook biography, and part anthropological analysis of the various places that Cook touched, for better
or worse. 2. Sailor’s Wisdom: Inspiration is never a bad thing, and who better to turn to for inspiration than iconic marine
photographer, Frenchman Philip Plisson. Plisson presents the sea in all of its diverse moods, states, and colors. Raging and
lawless or subsiding complacently, the sea continuously fascinates and bewitches in its many roles, creating and destroying,
providing and consuming, charming and provoking. Throughout the year, waves, swells, lighthouses, sails, and boats in
oceanic lights will fill the days with dream and escape. With its smaller format and a bounty of extraordinary photographs
accompanied by proverbs from sailors, this book is a perfect gift for all seafarers.
learn things
Neutrogena® Ultimate Sport® Sunscreen
is formulated to withstand vigorous
activities of all kinds, including life in and
around the water. It provides superior
broad-spectrum protection that resists wearoff from water, rubbing, sweat, or wiping.
Also features Helioplex®, a breadth of
stabilizing sunscreen technologies that
delivers superior protection from the sun.
Includes: Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB
protection, Water Resistant (80min), Resists
sweat-off, Oil-free, and PABA-free.
Neutrogena® Ultimate Sport® Sunscreen
[more at: neutrogena.com]
PROTECTED
INVESTMENTS
In 1903, racing for the America’s Cup was no longer a
gentleman’s game—it had become a race entangled with
political tension and awesome, dangerous stakes. In this
pivotal year, the two great rivals Britain and America
raced head to head, with Britain determined to win
with their privately funded Shamrock III, and America’s
bravado backed up by Reliance. Reliance was a yacht
like no other—a work of beauty carrying more sail than
any single-masted boat before it. Some believed that the
boat towering 190 feet above the water was simply too
dangerous, but the race called for such staggering risk.
More and more boaters are using
iPads on the water (iPads are included
with new GB models). To keep it safe
and dry, we recommend Overboard
Waterproof iPad Case—guaranteed
submersible thanks to its unique Slide
Seal System. Back hand loop keeps
it on your wrist in either orientation,
but if it does go overboard the case
will keep your iPad afloat. Clear
cover enables use of all touch-screen
functions while in the case.
Christopher Pastore [Lyons Press]
One of the most sophisticated and rugged point-and-shoot
cameras on the market, the Olympus TG-2 iHS was designed
with the serious photographer in mind. In addition to its
shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof, dustproof design, the
TG-2 iHS dives deeper than ever before with an astounding
waterproof depth rating of 50 feet without a housing. It is
also the only rugged camera on the market equipped with
an ultra-bright, high-speed f2.0 lens, allowing you to capture
dramatic low light and high-speed action shots.
Olympus TG-2 iHS Camera [more at: getolympus.com]
splash-proof
HERESCHOFF:
GURU OF YACHT DESIGN
Pastore brings to life to this astounding vessel from
conception, to construction, to the hair-raising trials at sea.
It is simply one of the most exciting sea tales ever told.
TOUGH OPTICS
Overboard Waterproof iPad Case
[more at: overboard.com]
gear
WIRELESS SOUND
Take your tunes from the galley to the flybridge and all
over your GB: Sosche’s wireless bluetooth boomBottle is a
compact weatherproof speaker with impressive sound. Dual
40mm drivers and passive subwoofer provide distortionfree acoustics, with an omidirectional speaker cone that
lets everyone enjoy the music. Integrated controls make it
easy to skip to your favorite track and adjust the volume;
rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 10 hours of
continuous music playback.
boomBottle [more at: scosche.com]
S P R AY
107
the
GB YACHTING
Eastbay
In 2012 we introduced our signature cocktail series with The
Shrubs also provide a way to preserve the fresh fruit that you
Grand Banks, an all-weather cocktail based on quality aged
have on board that is close to past its prime. The basic process
dark rum. Last year we brought you The Aleutian, a refreshingly
of building a shrub is as follows: take ripe, diced fruit and sugar
bracing beverage featuring cucumber-infused vodka.
in a 1-to-1 ratio, mix, and let sit for 24 hours. After it rests, mix in
This year, as we introduce an exciting new evolution of the
Eastbay Series with the 50SX (see page 26), we bring you
The Eastbay—a cocktail that also features something deliciously
new: the shrub. Shrubs (based on the arabic for sharab, or,
a quality vinegar (best is white balsamic, or champagne), then
let the mixture sit again for a few days or weeks, depending
on your taste. Strain with a fine mesh strainer and reserve the
syrup in a Mason jar.
“syrup”) are a new trend in bartending, giving the galley-
This recipe calls for a blackberry shrub that contains notes of
bartender endless options for customizing drinks (with or
sarsaparilla and vanilla, but don’t get too caught up in the
without alcohol).
exactness of which shrub is used. Excellent shrubs are made
from watermelons, peaches, strawberries, really any kind of
seasonal fruit you can get your hands on, plus a wide variety
of vinegars, sugars, and herbs and spices. To learn more about
making your own shrubs, visit: culinate.com. More about shrubs
in the New York Times: nytimes.com.
~1 ounce Club Soda
2 ounces Tequila Reposado or Añejo
.5 ounces Blackberry Shrub
.5 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
.5 ounces Triple Sec or Cointreau
• Pour ingredients over ice & stir to chill
• Strain into cocktail glass
• Add 1 ounce (to taste) seltzer water
• Garnish with a twist or wedge of lime
S P R AY
109
GB YACHTING
GB YACHTING
SHORE POWER SMARTS
SmartPlug has a straightforward push-in design—the unique shape means it only goes in the right
way every time—even in the dark. With a secure click-lock connection, SmartPlug puts an end to
the common hassle of hooking up to shore power. More importantly are SmartPlugs’ many safety
features that include the elimination of overheating—the number one cause of boat fires and
power failure. The 30 & 50 amp retro-fit kits are designed to match your existing power inlet hole
pattern for a quick and super easy installation. You will love using the SmartPlug. Smart, safe,
sturdy … just like a Grand Banks.
UNDERWATER
EYES
SmartPlug Systems [more at: smartplug.com]
Have you ever wondered what
condition your hull was in, or
what sort of sea life is hanging
out in the depths below? One
quick look with the AquaLens
GARMIN SHINES
camera and these questions can
be answered! As your “eyes
I don’t think we’ve used the words “wow,
mode and activate all the screens—no set-up
under water,” some uses for this
cool!” so often in such a short span of time
time required. Also convenient is a user
product include: view sea life,
as when we first tried out Garmin’s GPSMAP
control bar docked at the bottom of the
inspect your anchor, check your
8000 Glass Helm array at the Miami Boat
screen with waypoints, autopilot and the
props, view your hull, or search
Show earlier this year. All the wish-list
main menu just a touch away so you no
for lost objects. The complete
features and functionality come together
longer need to return to a home page for
underwater viewing system
beautifully in this sleek, sophisticated
related tasks.
includes a color video camera,
powerful touch-screen interface.
under 30 seconds!
It’s not unlike having your own super power: the ability to
see in total darkness, or through smoke and light fog. In this
case, though, that power comes not with a cape and tights,
but packed into a compact-yet-rugged design from Flir. Their
First Mate II and First Mate II MS night vision cameras provide
go-anywhere thermal night vision—allowing you to stay out on
the water a little longer, even when everyone else is heading
for the dock. Battery power means you can use them on your
Grand Banks or around the house; you can also capture still
images and video (First Mate II only).
Aquabotix Aqualens
[more at: aquabotix.com]
Flir First Mate MS Handheld Thermal Night Vision Camera
[more at: flir.com]
LED lighting, pole attacher, LCD
system—especially in its intuitive, simple-butDisplays (up to 19” depending on the details
monitor that is easily worn on
of your system) are amazingly crisp and
your forearm, and a battery
SmartMode lets a user customize preset
bright, backlit with two sets of LEDs. Lots of
power supply. The best part: The
functions across multiple screens for various
other features, including a remote device you
AquaLens is so quick and easy
boating applications such as coastal cruising,
can mount in your helm chair.
to use, it is ready for the water in
offshore cruising, fishing and others. With
a simple touch you can select your desired
[more at: garmin.com]
SAFER SIGHT
S P R AY
111
GB YACHTING
GB YACHTING
ELECTRIFY YOUR RIDE
WITH THIS DECEPTIVELY
HIGH-TECH BIKE
Designed as a commuter bike, the Vanmoof clean, simple and sturdy design
also makes it an ideal pack-along for your Grand Banks. Whether you’re going
uphill, downhill, or riding the flats, power assistance will take the sweat out of
biking, getting you around town more comfortably than ever.
COMFORTABLY CASUAL
Earthkeepers Hookset Handcrafted Fabric
Oxfords from Timberland are lightweight shoes
crafted from 100% organic cotton canvas for
durability and breathability during warmer
weather. These eco-conscious shoes features 100%
organic cotton laces, natural latex for the footbed
and outsole and rustic leather accent pieces, so
you’ll enjoy the cool comfort and style of canvas
shoes that are kinder to the environment. (Leather
slip-ons also available.)
DETAILS:
• 100% organic washed cotton canvas for lightweight
comfort and durability
• Leather accent pieces
• 100% organic cotton laces
• String lasted construction for lightweight flexibility
• Natural latex footbed for superior comfort
• Natural latex outsole is siped for better traction
Shown in Green Canvas Slip-On, Red Leather Slip-On,
and Purple Canvas Oxford.
Timberland Earthkeepers® Hookset Handcrafted
[more at: timberland.com]
Get off your boat and go for a ride: this Vanmoof’s power-assisted bike will
have you exploring your next port of call without tiring you out for cocktail
hour. Vanmoof’s SmartPower Assistance technology can boost your pedal
power by an astonishing 80 percent, using an onboard computer to adjust the
bike’s electric power—supplied via the small, lightweight motor in the bike’s
front wheel—according to your cycling behavior.
Vanmoof 10 Electrified Bike [more at: vanmoof.com]
SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS...
OR, THE KID INSIDE YOU
These three-dimenional models from Fascinations are
cut from steel and are easy to assemble. Simply pop
out the pieces from the sheets provided, assemble, and
display. Many landmarks and ships available, including
the infamous Titanic and Black Pearl pirate ship.
The Golden Hind was an English galleon best known
for its circumnavigation of the globe between 1577
and 1580, captained by Sir Francis Drake. She was
originally known as the Pelican, but was renamed by
Drake mid-voyage in 1578, as he prepared to enter
the Strait of Magellan, calling it the Golden Hind to
compliment his patron, Sir Christopher Hatton, whose
armorial crest was a golden ‘hind’ (a female deer).
Metal Earth 3D Laser Cut Models – “Golden Hind”
[more at: fascinations.com/metalearth]
S P R AY
113
GB YACHTING
SINGAPORE BLING
This city-state sits at the gateway of many beautiful cruising destinations: nearby
to the Leeward Isles, farther off to the tropical islands of northern Indonesia,
or up to Phuket and beyond to the Andman Sea. Whether you’re gearing up
or winding down from your latest voyage, a stay at One°15 Marina will aptly
cater to your every need. Opened just 6 years ago, the marina has evolved and
expanded in concert with the dramatic growth and sophistication of the yachting
lifestyle in the region. Today One°15 hosts the annual Singapore Yacht Show,
and offers world-class marina facilities along with a wide range of luxurious
private club amenities—restaurants and shops, spas and sporting activities,
shore-side services and more—catering to both boaters and non-boaters alike.
The award-winning development also maintains an admirable environmental
stewardship and overall sets an impressive, world-class standard.
[more at: onefifteenmarina.com]
S P R AY
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GB YACHTING
HERRESHOFF MUSEUM &
AMERICA’S CUP HALL OF FAME
In keeping with the theme for this issue of Spray, we would be
remiss if we failed to point out a wonderful living homage to the
world of yacht design and racing.
Tucked away in picturesque Bristol, Rhode Island, The Herreshoff
Museum and America’s Cup Hall of Fame is dedicated to the
education and inspiration of the public through presentations of
the history and innovative work of the Herreshoff Manufacturing
Company and the America’s Cup competition.
Herreshoff-designed and ostentatious America’s Cup victor, Reliance
The Museum, bordering beautiful Narragansett Bay, is one
of the nation’s most important historic maritime treasures. A
regular host for racing and restoration, the facility also operates
an outstanding sailing school for youth and adults and can be
rented for private events, large and small.
Immerse yourself in exhibits about the Herreshoff Manufacturing
Company, the America’s Cup, and the fabulous people and
yachts that gained fame around the world. Ongoing at the
museum is The Reliance Project, an effort to reconstruct the
famous America’s Cup victor, Reliance (pictured at left), and
bring her to life as a 1:6 scale model.
[more at: herreschoff.org & therelianceproject.com]
GRAND BANKS OWNERS
Dieter & Rose Evertz
Jerome “Buzz” & Marcia Howe
John & Pat Nelley
Ted & Arlene Greene
Norman & Jody Powell
Larry & Sally Cole
Boat Name TBD
Boat Name Kenzie
Boat Name As You Wish
Boat Name Vision
Boat Name The Right Combo
Boat Name Lucky Stars
Model
54 Heritage EU, Hull #09
Model
43 Eastbay HX
Model
46 Eastbay SX, Hull #33
Model
Model
53 Aleutian RP
Model
46 Heritage EU
Hailing Port Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hailing Port Dania, FL
Hailing Port Boca Raton, FL
Hailing Port Newport Beach, CA
Hailing Port Fort Lauderdale, FL
Hailing Port Seattle, WA
Broker Steve Fithian, HMY
Broker Steve Fithian, HMY
Broker Julee Jackson, HMY
Broker Broker Steve Fithian, HMY
Broker Harry Walp, GBNW
46 Eastbay SX, #40
Blake Oversmith, Stan Miller
Dieter and Rose Evertz are eagerly awaiting delivery
Jerome “Buzz” and Marcia Howe are extremely
John and Pat Nelley have been boating for over
Ted has been boating since he could walk. Over the
Norman and Jody Powell christen their 2011 53
Larry grew up in Florida and learned to sail when
of their 5th Grand Banks, a new 54 EU. Over several
excited during the christening of their 2005 Grand
30 years and have just joined the GB family. They
years he’s moved up to larger boats and eventually
Aleutian RP, The Right Combo, with their son,
he was six. His family had a sailboat where they
days during the Miami boat show, they went over the
Banks 43 Eastbay HX, Kenzie. This took place on
purchased 46SX #33, last August and they also own
to a Benetti which he cruised several summers on
Casey Powell and beloved Salty Dog on Feb. 2,
cruised the Bahamas. He moved to Seattle and
specs for their new GB with their salesperson, Steve
June 17, 2013, at the HMY docks in Harbour
a Hinckley sailboat they bought new 26 years ago!
Fithian and Bruce Livingston, GB’s Plant Director.
Towne Marina, Dania, Florida. The Howes plan
As You Wish calls Boca Marina Yacht Club in Boca
the Med. He has been as far north as Lake Superior,
2013 at the HMY docks in Harbour Towne
boating continued to be an important part of his
Photo shows the nice built-in seating area on the
to cruise South Florida waters and the Bahamas on
Raton, Florida home, and they plan to cruise the
and as far south as Grenada in the Caribbean. Their
Marina, Dania, Florida. The Powells dreamed of
life. He and Sally joined the Seattle Yacht Club in
foredeck of another 54EU.
their Eastbay.
Florida Keys and the Bahamas.
favorite European cruising ground was Havre,
their own 53RP since they saw her when she first
1995, and also maintain a Sleepjack powerboat on
Croatia. Now Ted cruises so he can run the boat
debuted. They plan to do the Great Loop in 2014
the East Coast. They plan to take Lucky Stars up to
himself to Catalina with his grandchildren. “I’ve
and are currently cruising South Florida and the
Alaska again once they get more familiar with all of
docked in Portofino, St. Barths ... Nantucket, Nassau
Florida Keys.
the systems. Generally, they like to cruise for several
BEACHCOMBING
Celebrating new and renewed members of the GB family
... and Avalon is as good as any of those”
weeks between Puget Sound and Prince Rupert.
Lily Jung Henson & John Henson
Tony Loviscek & Steven Hough
Boat Name Truce
Model
38 Eastbay HX, #127
Hailing Port Seattle, WA
Broker Harry Walp, GBNW
Boat Name Model
Hailing Port Broker PoPo
47 Heritage EU, #5
Seattle, WA
Harry Walp, GB Northwest
John’s boating background began on the East Coast, where he enjoyed
coastal cruising and racing – from New York to Nova Scotia – aboard
For thirty-three years, Tony and Steve have enjoyed a spontaneous life
his 39’ Dehler sloop, Passarelle. He also spent his sailing days racing
that has taken them on adventures all over North America – both on
an Etchells 105 out of Marblehead, Massachusetts and served as the
land and water. They previously lived in Laguna Beach, California,
Rear Commodore for the Boston Yacht Club from 2007-2008.
where they owned an art gallery and spent time boating aboard their
Tiara. They now split timr between living onboard their new 38HX
in Seattle and their home in the historical district of Savannah.
The Henson family looks forward to cruising the Pacific Northwest
coastal islands and inland waters, from southeastern Alaska to Seattle.
The spectacular Inside Passage awaits- what better way to discover it
Tony and Steve (and their two tiny dogs) are living aboard Truce
than on board their new 47EU PoPo? Lily’s 88-year-old mother, also
part-time, making friends with boat owners throughout the marina!
called “PoPo” (meaning “grandmother,” in Cantonese) is perhaps the
They are going to continue to live by their motto – “Celebrate Life!”
family’s most ardent cruiser! The entire family looks forward to many
– as they travel both onboard their GB and on land in their RV.
years of cruising, entertaining and relaxing on board, as they explore
They look forward to exploring the waters and harbors of the Pacific
the endless, stunning waterways of the Northwest.
Northwest aboard their Eastbay, before taking the boat to California.
S P R AY
119
A
n amazing archive of stories and photos
about long-past and near-present times at
Grand Banks Yachts is easily available to
download from our web site. Just visit grandbanks.
com/spray to find the online library of Spray and
American Marine News magazines, a collection that
dates back to 1970. Informative, enlightening and
widely entertaining, this library gives GB owners
and enthusiasts a year-by-year look into the rich and
unique history of our company and the people who
worked here—as well as the boats they built, the
people who cruised them, and their adventures all
across the world.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind resource for boat lovers
of all stripes, available for quick and easy download to
your laptop, iPad, or mobile device. If you have one
of the back issues currently missing from our library
and would be willing to lend it for scanning into the
collection, please email [email protected].
SPRAY DIGITAL ARCHIVES
S P R AY
121 121
Grand Banks Catalog \\ 2013-14
Grand Banks Yachts offers a choice of models and sizes across three distinctive series. In each
we have sought to capture the spirit of a nautical ideal—and combine it with state-of-the-art
equipment, meticulous craftsmanship, and superior construction techniques. The result is an
unparalleled ownership experience, with all the comfort, safety, reliability and performance you
expect from a Grand Banks.
We remain committed to the continual development of new models in each of our Heritage,
Eastbay and Aleutian Series. In the following pages, we are pleased to present our 2013-14
collection. For additional information, photos, videos and reviews, visit grandbanks.com.
GB GUIDE TO MODELS
S P R AY
123
Grand Banks Model Lineup: Specifications & Volumes
THE ALEUTIAN SERIES
The Aleutian Series continues the Grand Banks tradition
of blending timeless nautical style with high-performance
capabilities. With its distinctive raised pilothouse profile,
the Aleutian Series includes the largest and most generouslyappointed yachts Grand Banks offers. Large staterooms,
expansive living spaces, gorgeous styling and flexible layouts
are just some of the highlights – as are the stable, quiet ride,
sure-footed handling and 25+ knot top speeds. Imbued with
quality and craftsmanship, the Aleutian Series defines the
ultimate Grand Banks difference.
Heritage Series
Eastbay Series
43 Heritage EU
Aleutian Series
53 Aleutian RP
45 Eastbay SX
59 Aleutian RP
46 Eastbay SX
47 Heritage EU
46 Eastbay FB
65 Aleutian RP
47 Heritage CL
THE EASTBAY SERIES
Blending a refined nautical sensibility with pulse-quickening speed,
the Eastbay Series by Grand Banks continues to ignite the spirit of
today’s discerning yachtsman. With its Ray Hunt Associates design,
teak toe rails, stylish, handcrafted interiors – and a powerful pair of
diesels underfoot – no other boat combines ageless design and high
performance like the Eastbay. Unequalled elegance and exhilaration
in one distinctive package.
50 Eastbay SX
50 Eastbay FB
72 Aleutian RP
54 Heritage EU
55 Eastbay SX
55 Eastbay FB
76 Aleutian RP
MODEL NAME
43 HERITAGE EU
46 EASTBAY SX
46 EASTBAY FB
47 HERITAGE CL
47 HERITAGE EU
50 EASTBAY SX
50 EASTBAY FB
THE HERITAGE SERIES
53 ALEUTIAN RP
The Grand Banks launched an icon when the Heritage Series
was introduced nearly 50 years ago. It remains widely regarded
as one of the most successful cruising yacht designs ever built
– one that Grand Banks continues to refine and enhance
for a new generation of owners. Today’s Heritage models,
both the classic tri-cabin “CL” and the extended-salon “EU”
versions, distinguish themselves as much for their speed and
performance as their timeless lines and legendary reliability.
54 HERITAGE EU
55 EASTBAY SX
55 EASTBAY FB
59 ALEUTIAN RP
65 ALEUTIAN RP
72 ALEUTIAN RP
76 ALEUTIAN RP
L-MAX
LOA
LWL
BEAM
DRAFT
HEIGHT 1
DISPLACE MENT
WATER 2
48’ 11”
43’ 4”
39’ 11”
15’ 8”
3’ 9”
14’ 2”
n/a
200
582
51
14.90
13.19
12.17
4.77
1.20
4.31
n/a
757
2,203
193
49’ 11”
45’ 9”
41’ 9”
14’ 7”
3’ 4”
11’ 10”
42,006
145
500
60
15.21
13.94
12.73
4.45
1.00
3.61
19.054
549
1,893
227
49’ 11”
45’ 9”
41’ 9”
14’ 7”
3’ 5”
11’ 10”
42,006
145
500
60
15.21
13.94
12.73
4.45
1.04
3.61
19.054
549
1,893
227
52’ 8”
46’ 10”
44’ 1”
15’ 9”
3’ 10”
14’ 4”
52,333
260
600
77
16.04
14.26
13.44
4.80
1.17
4.36
23.738
984
2.271
291
52’ 8”
46’ 10”
44’ 1”
15’ 9”
3’ 10”
14’ 5”
51,233
260
600
77
16.04
14.26
13.44
4.80
1.17
4.39
23.239
984
2.271
291
55’ 11’’
50’ 0”
46’ 6”
16’ 6”
4’ 1”
10’ 5”
50,050
162
800
84
17.04
15.24
14.18
5.03
1.24
3.16
22.750
613
3.028
318
55’ 11’’
50’ 0”
46’ 6”
16’ 6”
4’ 1”
TBD
50,050
162
800
84
17.04
15.24
14.18
5.03
1.24
TBD
22.750
613
3.028
318
57’ 10”
53’ 10”
49’ 4”
17’ 9”
4’ 9”
18’ 7”
73,000
300
1,000
100
17,61
16,39
15,02
5,40
1,45
5,65
33.113
1.136
3.785
379
61’ 5”
54’ 4”
49’ 1”
17’ 9”
5’ 0”
20’ 1”
83,335
300
1,500
100
18,72
16,55
14,96
5,41
1,54
6,11
37.800
1.136
5.678
379
59’ 10”
55’ 1”
50’ 10”
16’ 4”
4’ 10”
12’ 7”
63,300
180
1,000
68
18.24
16.79
15.49
4.98
1.47
3.84
28.713
681
3.785
257
59’ 10”
55’ 1”
50’ 10”
16’ 4”
4’ 10”
17’ 7”
63,300
180
1,000
68
18.24
16.79
15.49
4.98
1.47
5.35
28.713
681
3.785
257
62’ 7”
58’ 7”
55’ 4”
18’ 0”
5’ 4”
18’ 2”
90,000
385
1,400
100
19.08
17.86
16.87
5.49
1.63
5.54
40.824
1.457
5.300
379
69’ 5”
65’ 4”
60’ 5”
19’ 10”
5’ 4”
19’ 2”
106,500
440
2,200
150
21,16
19,91
18,42
6,05
1,63
5,84
48.308
1.666
8.328
568
76’ 1”
72’ 0”
66’ 11”
19’ 10”
5’ 4”
19’ 2”
120,000
350
2,625
150
23,18
21,93
20,40
6,05
1,63
5,84
54.432
1.325
9.937
568
77’ 6”
76’ 7”
66’ 11”
19’ 10”
5’ 4”
19’ 2”
120,000
350
2,845
150
23,62
23,34
20,40
6,05
1,63
5,84
54.432
1.325
10.769
568
1 Height given to top of hardtop (or in cases of flying bridges, to the top of the windshield)
2 Tankage capacities given in U.S. Gallons and Liters
S P R AY
FUEL
BLACK
125
For exploration, entertainment and enjoyment, the new 76RP is an
unrivaled choice. Stretch your voyage to nearly 2,000 kilometers,
or speed to your next port at over 30 knots. However you choose
to cruise, four generous staterooms and a wealth of handcrafted
luxury will usher you there in breathtaking comfort. All with the
quality and reliability that has made Grand Banks an icon for over
50 years.
For more information, visit grandbanks.com/76RP
The Aleutian Series continues the Grand Banks tradition of blending timeless nautical style with
high-performance capabilities. With its distinctive raised pilothouse profile, the Aleutian Series
includes the largest and most generously-appointed yachts Grand Banks offers. Large staterooms,
expansive living spaces, gorgeous styling and flexible layouts are just some of the highlights–as
are the stable, quiet ride, sure-footed handling and 25+ knot top speeds. Imbued with quality
and craftsmanship, the Aleutian Series defines the ultimate Grand Banks difference.
ALEUTIAN SERIES
76RP
aleutian
series
For those who long to cross the far horizon comes a remarkable
new yacht to take you there and beyond: the 76 Aleutian RP,
flagship of the Grand Banks fleet. Her timeless look and time-tested
performance are matched with an exciting new interior design—
more contemporary, European and stylish than ever before.
The original model that launched the Aleutian Series has been
redesigned, refreshed and restyled. New interior layouts provide more
and better options for living and entertaining. A more spacious aft
deck features dual wing doors and a new enclosure that protects the
outside dining area from harsh weather, while opening easily to let in
the sun. The flybridge overhang has also been extended further aft.
That stellar performance is matched by sumptuous luxury: large
staterooms, exquisite expanses of teak, stunning hand-crafted
furnishings, graceful passageways, and an uncompromising
attention to detail. With her timeless lines and proud, nautical
profile, this flagship of the fleet is a standout at any port of call.
The 65RP also features port and starboard-side pilothouse doors, easier
engine room access through a new port-side door, and a host of other
performance and luxury features.
65RP
72RP
Gorgeous and gracious above the waterline, the 72 Aleutian RP
is a powerhouse below: standard twin 1,000 mhp engines will
take you swiftly and smoothly to 25 knots and above. With her
Fexas-designed modified deep-V hull, the 72RP rides comfortably
atop all manner of seas, also offering fuel economy at semidisplacement speeds.
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
129
Inside and out, the 59RP impresses with its timeless style, intelligent
design, and luxurious amenities. Designed in collaboration
Sparkman & Stephens, and packed stem to stern with thoughtfully
appointed features, the 59RP represents the Grand Banks cruising
experience at its finest.
Smaller in size but with the same powerful presence you expect from
the series, the 53RP is capable of supporting a cruising couple or
family on long voyages or of setting the perfect stage for entertaining
closer to home. The standard three stateroom layout with multifunction utility room provides exceptional living and storage space on
the lower deck, while abundant seating in the salon and pilothouse
offer ample room to dine, relax or entertain. The result is a beautiful,
blue-water cruising yacht that provides a safe, seaworthy ride enjoyed
in luxury and style.
53RP
59RP
Performance and luxury, form and function come together in perfect
harmony aboard the 59 Aleutian RP. With a modified deep-V hull
and power options up to twin 1,015 hp diesels, the 59RP cruises to
25 knots and beyond without ever sacrificing steady, quiet comfort.
Pilot from the lower helm and enjoy sweeping visibility, or from
the flybridge, where ample seating and panoramic views create an
irresistible setting.
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
131
55SX&FB
EASTBAY
series
The only way to top the largest and most luxurious model in the
Eastbay fleet is, of course, with an equally spacious and gracious
flybridge. Our new 55FB is available in two- or three-stateroom
layouts, each with a large flybridge deck that features a Stidd
helm seat (with room for two additional optional chairs) and
a large L-settee surrounding a handmade teak table. Access is
made safely and gracefully via an elegant curved staircase from
the cockpit below, which also offers plenty of room for outdoor
entertainment and relaxation.
For more info, visit grandbanks.com/55SX or 55FB
Blending a refined nautical sensibility with pulse-quickening speed, the Eastbay Series by Grand Banks
continues to ignite the spirit of today’s discerning yachtsman. With its Ray Hunt Associates design, teak
toe rails, stylish, handcrafted interiors–and a powerful pair of diesels underfoot–no other boat combines
ageless design and high performance like the Eastbay. Unequalled elegance and exhilaration in one
distinctive package.
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
133
50SX & FB
In 1993, Grand Banks launched the Eastbay Series and
pioneered the modern interpretation of the lobster boat
as a stylish and powerful “Down East” cruiser. Now for
2012, the 50 Eastbay brings a stunning new style and
the latest pod drive technology today’s most discerning
yachtsman—a remarkable blend of grace, beauty,
and heart-pounding performance. Available in both
flybridge and salon express models, the 50 Eastbay is
everything you’ve come to expect from Grand Banks
and so very much more.
For more information, visit:
grandbanks.com/50FB or 50SX
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
135
46SX & FB
The new 46SX brings all the acclaimed performance, style and
reliability of her predecessors—and then goes one great leap
further, adding the revolutionary Zeus propulsion system. With
joystick docking, pod-drive power and a range of intelligent
innovations, this Eastbay is the definition of grace under power.
46FB Also Available
The 46 is available as an SX or Flybridge model, she also offers
a number of layout options, including both up- and downgalley configurations. A three-stateroom design is available,
and owners have the option to add an additional crew cabin,
too. Overall, the 46 offers an unrivaled combination for the
uncompromising buyer.
For more information, visit: grandbanks.com/46SX
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
137
54EU
HERITAGE
series
The largest of the Heritage series fleet, the 54 Heritage EU
provides the perfect solution for a couple or family looking for
extended cruising capabilities. The 54EU is built on the same
highly-acclaimed, GB-designed hull as the 53 Aleutian RP, with
its V-drive propulsion system.
The 54EU’s standard three stateroom layout—with its multifunction utility room—offers exceptional living and storage
space on the lower deck, plus the option to add crew quarters.
The main deck features expansive seating in the salon and fullycovered cockpit, a dedicated dinette across from the mid-ship
galley, and a spacious helm area complete with both captain and
navigation seats.
For more info, visit grandbanks.com/54EU
The Grand Banks launched an icon when the Heritage Series was introduced nearly 50 years ago.
It remains widely regarded as one of the most successful cruising yacht designs ever built–one that
Grand Banks continues to refine and enhance for a new generation of owners. Today’s Heritage
models, both the classic tri-cabin “CL” and the extended-salon “EU” versions, distinguish themselves
as much for their speed and performance as their timeless lines and legendary reliability.
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
139
47EU
What surprises, though, is the assertive power and performance that
lie beneath her refined exterior. Push forward the throttles, and you’ll
soon be nearing 24 knots in steady, quiet comfort, riding smooth and
trim atop a new modified deep-V hull.
Enriched by amenities from stem to stern, this popular Heritage
model is expertly built for the ultimate cruising experience—at any
pace you choose to cruise.
For more information, visit grandbanks.com/47EU
ALEUTIAN SERIES
The classic Grand Banks tri-cabin trawler has been redesigned from
the keel up, starting with a modified deep-V planing hull designed to
accommodate today’s powerful engines—and provide top speeds above
23 knots. Outstanding performance at any speed means that you can
swiftly expand your cruising horizons, or journey efficiently all day at a
more peaceful pace.
47CL
Highlighted by advances in design, construction and a sophisticated
new styling, 47EU is an irresistible combination of classic beauty
and pure exhilaration. Like her predecessors, the 47EU’s rock-solid
reliability is complemented by elegant lines and gracious interiors.
Overall, the 47CL looks and feels bigger, brighter and roomier than
any boat in her class. Accommodations take advantage of every inch,
affording a luxury of space—and style—to her owners. The result: the
next generation of the Heritage Series, and a dream fulfilled for those
who seek to cruise comfortably and confidently in Grand Banks quality.
For more information, visit grandbanks.com/47CL
S P R AY
141
A larger cockpit, bigger staterooms and a second head are just
some of the new features you’ll find out aboard this successor to
our acclaimed 41EU—the Grand Banks which revolutionized the
modern trawler motoryacht for owners around the world.
43EU
With precision joystick control, top speeds over 22 knots and solid
fuel economy for displacement-speed cruising, the new 43EU offers
greater space, better performance and more miles of on-the-water
enjoyment than any yacht in her class.
For more information, visit grandbanks.com/43EU
Specializing in
custom yacht
models
Visit us at seacraftclassics.com
or call 800-356-1987
ALEUTIAN SERIES
S P R AY
143
British Columbia Vancouver
SI
A
E&
P
RO
U
E
British Columbia S
idney
Washington Bellingham
Washington S
eattle
California Sausalito
California Isleton
California Long Beach
N O RT H
AM
California Newport Beach
ERI
California San Diego
A
Belgium Oostende
Denmark Charlottenlund
Denmark Svendborg
Norway Stathelle
CA
Norway Oslo
Sweden Nacka Strand
Finland Helsinki
Michigan H
arrison Township
Michigan H
arbor Springs
Texas Seabrook
Maryland B
altimore
Alabama Orange Beach
Maryland R
ock Hall
Florida Destin
Virginia V
irginia Beach
Florida S
t. Petersburg
North Carolina B
eaufort
Florida A
nna Maria
North Carolina W
anchese
Florida C
ape Coral
South Carolina Charleston
Florida J acksonville
Costa Rica Los Suénos
France Mandelieu (Cannes)
France Grimaud
Italy Orbetello
Netherlands Heeg
Russia St. Petersburg
Ukraine Kiev
Croatia Split
Turkey Istanbul
Greece Athens
O
C
Hong Kong
Japan Kanagawa
Singapore Sentosa Cove
N
Florida W
est Palm Beach
United Kingdom Southampton
EA
Florida N
orth Palm Beach
dw
orl id
Wisconsin S
turgeon Bay
s•W
nk
Michigan B
ay Harbor
e • Gra
Michigan C
heboygan
Florida Stuart
United Kingdom Shepperton
B
d
n a
Michigan H
olland
South Korea Busan
IA
Florida P
alm Beach Gardens
Florida D
ania Beach
Florida C
oconut Grove
Florida F
ort Myers
Florida F
ort Lauderdale
Maine Yarmouth
Maine Camden
Australia
Massachusetts S
alem
Queensland Hope Island
Massachusetts Falmouth
Queensland Coomera
Massachusetts Somerset
Rhode Island B
ristol
Rhode Island Snug Harbor
Rhode Island J amestown
New South Wales Newport
GUIDE TO SYMBOLS
New Zealand Nelson
Grand Banks Authorized Sales Center
Rhode Island B
arrington
Connecticut Rowayton
Connecticut N
orwalk
Connecticut E
ssex
GB DEALERS, SERVICE, OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS
Grand Banks Authorized Service Center
Grand Banks Owners Association
S P R AY
145
GB OWNER NEWS / SHOWS
lyfra vi turns 40
by Olivier Stabel, Belgium
This year was a very special year for my
grandparents. Their beloved Grand Banks
42CL, Lyfra VI, turned 40 years old.
Before and after the summer holidays, my
grandparents also go for a few months on Lyfra
VI to relax and enjoy each other’s company.
It all started in 1971, when they bought Lyfra
VI for themselves and their children to spend
their two-month holidays in Mallorca, Spain.
Many years later Lyfra VI has been used by the
whole family. During the summer holidays all
their children and grandchildren are allowed
to have awesome vacations onboard. Relaxing,
doing watersports behind the dinghy, but
especially enjoying the company of the family
in the beautiful environment of the Balearics.
In May we celebrated the 40th anniversary
of Lyfra VI in Mallorca with a small group of
friends and family. And, wow, Lyfra VI looked
better than ever! A completely redone teak
deck, another fresh layer of paint and all the
flags flying from the mast for this very special
occasion. I wasn’t yet born in 1971, but I think
Lyfra VI now looks better than when she was
new. That may explain why the people in the
port are always so surprised when we say that
UPCOMING BOAT SHOWS
she is already 40 years old. In my opinion she
could easily do 40 years more. I hope she will!
Who knows what will happen in the future.
Maybe my children will also learn to walk on
Lyfra VI, just like I did.
With this little article I would like to
congratulate my grandparents with the great
job they did in maintaining and improving
this beautiful Grand Banks 42. I would also
like to thank them for all the great holidays,
experiences, and memories the whole family
has shared on their magnificent GB.
For more show information, visit grandbanks.com/events
*
Amsterdam 9/9 • Cannes 9/10 • Newport
9/12• Southampton 9/13 • Norwalk 9/19 •
Lido 9/26• Genova 10/2 • Annapolis 10/3 •
Ft Lauderdale 10/31 • Saint Petersburg 12/5 •
Phuket 1/9 • Düsseldorf 1/18 • Vancouver
1/22 • Seattle 1/24 • Miami 2/13
*
*
*
*
N. AMERICA
EUROPE
ASIA
* 50SX On Display
LEARN FROM THE PROS
Docking a yacht isn’t child’s play, but
it’s hard to imagine anything easier
than docking with a joystick—simply
push it or turn it in any direction and
the boat will follow. Joystick docking
is just one of many smart and intuitive
features available for Volvo Penta IPS.
EASY BOATING
Revolutionizing the industry with the first
inboard propulsion of its kind in 2005,
Volvo Penta IPS has since sold more than
17,000 units and remains the unchallenged
pod system for unmatched maneuverability,
onboard comfort and overall performance:





40% longer cruising range
20% higher top speed
30% reduced fuel consumption
30% less CO2 emissions
50% lower perceived noise level
www.volvopenta.com/us
PROUD TO BE ONBOARD
WITH GRAND BANKS.
Classic design meets robust performance in the great Grand Banks family
of cruising yachts. And we are proud that our Garmin marine electronics
line is offered by Grand Banks for factory installation. Highlighting your
choices at the helm are the industry’s most complete lineup of color
touchscreen chartplotters with 3-D mapping imagery and integrated
networking capabilities. You’ll also find a wide array of HD and xHD
marine radars, plus powerful new digital sonar units that take highdefinition scanning to a whole new level. Other favorites include our full
range of VHF communications and satellite weather solutions – plus our
growing array of NMEA 2000® instruments, sensors and networking
options. Quality, reliability, worldwide support: It all comes together with
Grand Banks and Garmin. For more insight, visit us online at garmin.com.
NASDAQ GRMN
©2012 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
Garmin.com

a sailor`s legacy vintage appeal new 50 eastbay cruising

Transcription

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