Debuted by Grand Banks in 1993, the Eastbay series gave the boatbuilder a more diverse offering and an entree into the burgeoning market for Down East-inspired designs.Until that year, the company focused solely on producing trawler yachts intended for coastal cruising, a philosophy that earned Grand Banks quite a following. The company’s vessels are known for retaining a salty air while never failing to keep a certain amount of style present in their design. At the same time, the boats have maintained their reputation for reliability in rough water, though they truly excel as coastal cruisers.
At the 2012 Miami Boat Show, Grand Banks announced that the 50 would soon become a staple of the Eastbay line. Her classic looks certainly harken to an age gone by. But there’s nothing nostalgic about her propulsion. She’s equipped with twin 600-horsepower Volvo IPS pod drives that enhance her handling and docking abilities, thanks to joystick controls.
The boat comes in either a flying bridge or express configuration, though expect either to exude a certain sense of feng shui when moving from deck to deck. This feature is most notable between saloon and cockpit, which meld seamlessly into one open entertainment space. And that’s something guests will appreciate—maybe even more than the landlubbers who admire your boat’s profile from shore.
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Specifications
- Builder: Grand Banks
- Model: 50 Eastbay
- Year: 2012
- LOA: 50’0″
- Draft: 3’6″
- Beam: 16’9″
- Standard Power: 2/600-hp Volvo IPS800s
- Top Speed: 35 knots
This article originally appeared in the June 2012 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
