The brand new Grand Banks Eastbay 44 walks in the path of the 1995 model, which 23 years ago in Singapore invented the segment of Downeast Express Cruisers.
Downeast Express Cruisers is indeed the name that Grand Banks Yachts gave to this kind of boats: contemporary finishes, classic lines and a hull design that is capable of safe and comfortable navigation in open water.
The new Grand Banks Eastbay 44 (EB44 in shor), launched in Europe at 2018 Boot Düsseldorf, follows these inputs adding some more. Or better, taking away something: the efficient construction saves weight and fuel.
The hull has everything
The hull of EB44 features a sharp bow and a deep-V to cross tall waves, while the hull grants an efficient planing and the wide reversed chines grant comfort and stability.
Everything on Grand Banks
Eastbay 44 is designed for
cruising safety in its
fundamental factors.
The cockpit is well protected by tall gunwales, while the width of the side decks allow to safely move even with mooring lines. An abundance of safety rails inside and outside, a spacious foredeck for efficient anchoring, a day hatch in the cockpit sole to quick check the engines (a large section hinges up for full access) are all essential cruising boat elements.
Of course much is about comfort as well: large swim platform, wide transom door for cockpit access, built-in cockpit seating for four, and cockpit storage for extended cruises are part of the exteriors, while the interior blends a variety of luxury materials, including golden teak, stone and leather, fit and finished manually to offer the Grand Banks trademark of a warm ambiance.
Electric side and aft windows that raise or lower and large skylight hatches forward improve ventilation and light in the salon, whose furniture has rounded edges to remind once again that function comes before form.
Grand Banks offers two main layouts, both of which include a master stateroom and ensuite forward, a single guest stateroom to port, and a third room to starboard. In one case this can be a third cabin, in the second option it will be a utility room. A down-galley layout is also offered.
The standard power offering aboard the EB44 will be twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 engines, delivering 435 HP, with cruise speeds “in the high 20 knot range” (in the Boatyard’s words) and a max speed of 32 knots. The hull also sports 100-percent vinylester resins and a cross-linked Corecell foam core.
Now, here’s a video to show you Grand Banks Eastbay 44:
If you want to know about the Heritage models by Grand Banks read here.
