Grand Banks – New at Sanctuary Cove

Source: Boatpoint Magazine

Australian distributor Atlantic Motor Yachts will unveil the latest Grand Banks 47 Heritage EU and 59 Aleutian RP yachts at their Australian debut at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

Grand Banks Yachts appointed AMY as the company’s authorized dealer for the east coast of Australia last July. AMY has employed former Grand Banks regional sales manager Peter Brown to head a new sales office on the Gold Coast.

The distributor said that in appearance the new GB47EU continued the proud nautical styling that has made its predecessor the GB42 one of the most successful production cruising yachts of all time. This is, however, a completely new model – starting from the keel up with a modified deep-vee hull which was tank tested and optimized to speeds above 25kts.

The GB47 is available with standard twin 455hp engines and a long list of other equipment typically optional on other yachts in this class. With optional 567hp diesels the GB47 has reached speeds upwards of 24 knots in sea trials. The solid fiberglass hull features a more raked and flared bow, twin propeller tunnels and underwater exhaust.

Grand Banks chairman and CEO Bob Livingston said the increasing demand for speed and performance, style and luxury had inspired the company to create the new boat.

“This is one of the most important new models we have ever launched,” said Livingston.

“It represents the next generation for our Heritage series which has been hugely popular around the world,” he said.

Brown said that the 59 Aleutian RP (Raised Pilothouse) has all the nautical beauty of a Grand Banks, and all the speed of a sports boat.

“The 59 Aleutian RP is a stunning product of these legacies with both performance and luxury,” said Brown.

Below the waterline the 59RP has a modified deep-vee hull that is tank-tested and optimised to its speed range, with propeller tunnels to minimize draft without sacrificing performance, and cruises at 25kts-plus.

“The standard power package includes Twin Caterpillar C9 (500hp) diesels which gives her displacement performance 14 to 15kts at full load,” said Brown.

“At a sedate 10.5kts or so she is capable of around a 1000nm range, which is ideal for more adventurous cruising around the Whitsundays,” said Brown.

More than 3,000 Heritage yachts have been sold since the series was introduced more than 40 years ago. The new GB47EU is designed and built on the company’s “Europa” styling. The GB47CL, designed in the Grand Banks’ classic trawler style with an aft trunk cabin, was released earlier this year at the Miami Boat Show, Florida.