Tenacious Boat | 42' Grand Banks 2003
2003 GRAND BANKS CLASSIC 42
Rare for the West Coast · Twin Low Hour Caterpillar 420 HP Diesels · Full Teak Interior · Turnkey Condition
Proudly presented by David Morris: 310-266-6856
THE VESSEL
Designed with input from legendary naval architect Arthur DeFever, the Grand Banks Classic series was engineered for long-range passagemaking and extended liveaboard comfort.
This well maintained 2003 Grand Banks Classic 42 represents everything the Grand Banks name has stood for over six decades with enduring elegance, exceptional craftsmanship, and an unmatched capability for serious blue-water cruising. With her timeless design, beautiful pilothouse and full-teak interior, she is a very nice example of the Classic 42. This one is by far the lowest priced lowest hours Classic 42 on the market today.
The Classic 42 is among the most celebrated hulls in the entire Grand Banks lineage — a proven offshore cruiser equally at home on coastal weekends and extended passages.
LAYOUT & LIVING SPACES
Step aboard and you are immediately welcomed by the expansive single-level salon and galley — a vast, open living space flooded with natural light from windows all around. The L-shaped teak settee anchors the salon, creating an effortlessly social environment perfect for entertaining underway or at anchor. Whether hosting guests for dinner or relaxing with family on a passage, this space defines the Grand Banks lifestyle.
The galley-up configuration places the fully equipped kitchen at salon level, preserving the open, connected feel of the main living area. Fitted with dual refrigeration systems (a dedicated freezer and a full-size refrigerator), a three-burner Princess electric stove and oven, a Sharp Grill2 convection microwave, a large sink, and generous counter space with ample under-counter storage, the galley is equipped for extended passages and self-sufficient living.
Aft, the full-beam master cabin is a private sanctuary. A walk-around Queen-size island berth centres the space, with a large ensuite head, a separate shower, a washer/dryer laundry unit, extra-large closets, oversized drawers, and under-berth stowage throughout. Forward, a second private cabin offers comfortable accommodation for guests or crew, with its own ensuite head, separate shower, and substantial closet and drawer storage.
The lower pilothouse is the main command centre — thoughtfully designed for long-watch comfort and precise navigation. Excellent all-round visibility, full electronics at hand, and a starboard door for immediate deck access during docking maneuvers make this station a joy to operate. Above, the flybridge helm station opens to a magnificent upper deck — one of the defining features of the Classic 42 — offering 360-degree panoramic views and ample seating space for entertaining, and a full bimini shade. Whether cruising offshore, hosting a sunset dinner at anchor, or simply taking in the morning light, the flybridge transforms time aboard into an exceptional experience.
Aft, the cockpit provides a generous working, fishing and entertaining platform with direct access to the large swim step, while the lazarette offers substantial equipment storage underneath. A well secured heavy-duty crane arm deploys the RIB dinghy fitted with a steering console and 30 HP Honda outboard, making shore excursions effortless.
MECHANICAL & CONDITION
Power is provided by twin Caterpillar 420 HP diesel engines on direct drive shafts. These are strong running time-proven power-plants that have been comprehensively maintained. In March of 2026, both engines received extensive service including after-coolers, replacement of various hoses, all fluids changed, plus other standard components that required service or changing. The Northern Lights generator also received normal maintenance service at this time. All batteries were replaced new in 2026. The engine room — accessible and clean — is among the most well-presented we have inspected. There are literally thousands of dollars in spare parts onboard for long range cruising.
Also included are two full office crates of maintenance records that correspond with decades of professional care, supplemented by the captain's personal logs. This vessel's history is among the most thoroughly documented we have encountered. At economical cruise speeds between 8 and 12 knots, she returns excellent range; full throttle she delivers 19 knots, as broker-tested. The only items identified as needed are new canvas (the existing is still functional), a new freshwater pump and fresh bottom paint. However, by every other measure, she is in turnkey condition, ready for immediate use.
A full vessel detail and exterior teak rail refinishing was completed in March 2026. The interior wood remains in immaculate, original condition throughout.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINES, GENERATOR & PERFORMANCE
– Twin Caterpillar 420 HP diesels with only 1729 hours each, direct drive, extensively serviced March 2026
– Northern Lights M843 Generator with just 1017 hours
– 8–12 knots cruise / 19 knots maximum (broker tested)
– One of the cleanest engine rooms inspected
MAINTENANCE & RECORDS
– Recent comprehensive engine service (after-coolers, hoses, fluids), March 2026
– Northern Lights M843 Generator in quiet box with just 1017 hours, serviced March 2026
– All new batteries 2026
– Full vessel detail + exterior teak rail refinishing March 2026
– Two crates of maintenance records available spanning decades + captain's personal notes/logs
SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT
– All new batteries 2026
– Aqua Whisper reverse osmosis water-maker
– Quietline washer/dryer laundry system in aft cabin
– Vanner inverter
– Fuel supply routing valve panel
– Two 300 gallon fuel tanks with 4.5mm thickness
HULL & BUILD QUALITY
– Hand-laid fiberglass, solid full-keel, semi-displacement hull
– Known for exceptional offshore stability, sea-keeping, and longevity
– Thick, rigid laminate — highly resistant to osmotic blistering
– Grand Banks Yachts — founded 1956, six decades of passage-making heritage
– Naval architecture lineage informed by Arthur DeFever's long-range trawler design principles
INTERIOR & FINISH
– Full teak throughout — all joinery, cabinetry, trim in immaculate condition
– Teak parquet salon floor with easy access hatches throughout
– Among the finest Grand Banks interiors available on the market today
AFT MASTER CABIN
– Full-beam layout — the widest point of the vessel
– Walk-around Queen-size island berth
– Ensuite head and separate shower
– Quietline washer/dryer laundry system
– Extra-large closet, oversized drawers, under-berth and surround stowage
FORWARD GUEST CABIN
– Private forward cabin with ensuite head and separate shower
– Extra-large closet and generous drawer storage
GALLEY
– Princess three-burner electric stove and oven
– Sharp Grill2 convection microwave
– Separate refrigerator and freezer with independent system controllers
– Large double sink, generous counter space
– Ample under-counter drawer and cabinet storage
SALON & INTERIOR
– Massive single-level open-plan salon and galley
– L-shaped teak settee
– Teak parquet flooring throughout salon
– Windows and curtains all around — exceptional natural light and ventilation
– Full teak joinery and cabinetry, immaculate condition
DUAL HELM STATIONS
– Lower pilothouse helm: primary command station, full electronics, starboard deck-access door
– Upper flybridge helm: 360° panoramic views, full electronics, bimini shade in satisfactory condition
– Both stations equipped with chart-plotter, radar, autopilot, depth sounder
NAVIGATION & ELECTRONICS
– Furuno color chartplotter and radar
– Furuno color depth sounder
– Simrad AP20 autopilot
– Simrad IS-15 wind indicator
– Icom IC-M127 VHF radio
– Ritchie Powerdamp compass
– Glendinning Marine electronic shifters
– Vanner inverter
– Sony stereo with CD changer, speakers throughout salon
– Duplicate electronics at both upper and lower helm stations
FLYBRIDGE & EXTERIOR
– Massive upper flybridge deck — dining table, seating, bimini top
– Aft cockpit with large swim step and easy access
– Lazarette with substantial equipment stowage
– Exterior teak rails refinished March 2026
– RIB dinghy, steering wheel console, 30 HP Honda outboard, heavy-duty crane arm
DINGHY & TENDER
– NAUTICA 10’ 11” RIB with steering wheel console
– 30 HP Honda outboard with new fuel and battery 2026
– Heavy-duty crane arm for easy deployment and retrieval
NEEDS
– New canvas (existing canvas remains functional)
– Bottom paint
– New freshwater pump
– Otherwise vessel is fully turnkey ready for immediate use
CONDITION SUMMARY
[?] Full vessel buff/wax detail and teak toe-rail refinishing completed February 2026
[?] Comprehensive engine service (both engines): after-coolers, hoses, fluids — March 2026
[?] Generator serviced March 2026
[?] All new batteries 2026
[?] Two crates of maintenance records + captain's personal logs
[?] Interior wood — immaculate, original condition throughout
[?] Engine room — among the cleanest and best-presented inspected
[~] New canvas recommended
[~] Bottom paint recommended
[~] New Freshwater pump
BROKER OPINION
"I personally inspected and sea trialed this boat March 11 of 2026 just prior to listing. The engines start right up, she cruises smoothly, runs solid and strong, and is fully seaworthy. The owners are great folks and are well known to me. They truly loved this boat for a very long time. This is a very well maintained Classic 42. She has recent extensive maintenance records, as well as all records spanning decades. The boat has minimal wear normal for her age. She could eventually use new canvas, but the upholstery is in very good condition throughout. The boat needs bottom paint in the near future and the freshwater pump for the water system has a slight leak and could use replacement. That’s about it for issues that my team and I spotted. Overall, this vessel is in turnkey-ready to cruise condition. As far as my research, this is the lowest priced twin engine 2003 Classic 42 that has ever been offered for sale in this condition."
BUILD QUALITY & HERITAGE
Grand Banks Yachts was founded in 1956 in the United States and later moved production to Malaysia, where the brand became synonymous with semi-displacement trawler yachts that combine the seagoing traditions of the North Atlantic fishing fleet with refined, liveable interiors. Designed with input from legendary naval architect Arthur DeFever, the Grand Banks Classic series was engineered for long-range passagemaking and extended liveaboard comfort.
Grand Banks hulls are built using a robust hand-laid fiberglass construction with a solid, full-keel design that delivers exceptional stability, directional tracking, and sea-keeping ability in all conditions. The semi-displacement hull form is specifically engineered for long-range economical passagemaking — running efficiently at displacement speeds while capable of reaching planning speeds when conditions demand it. The hull laminate is known throughout the industry for its thickness, rigidity, and resistance to osmotic blistering, and the structural integrity of vessels of this era remains exceptional decades after commissioning.
Below decks, this Grand Banks is finished in the traditional manner that made the brand famous: rich, warm teak throughout — cabinetry, soles, joinery, trim — all crafted to a standard that simply cannot be replicated at this price point in today's market. The full teak interior and parquet salon floor are in immaculate condition, a testament to the quality of the original construction and the meticulous care she has received throughout her life.
Listed by PURCELL YACHTSTHIS BOAT IS SUBJECT TO AN EXCLUSIVE LISTING AGREEMENT WITH PURCELL YACHTS 310-266-6856 AND IS NOT OFFERED FOR SALE BY DENISON YACHTING. Denison Yachting is merely providing this information in an effort to represent you as a buyer in the purchase of this vessel.
Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the
accuracy
of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is
offered
subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice.
She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to
convey
direct representation of a specific yacht
for sale.