1998 Grand Banks 42 Classic
This boat lives up to the name "classic."
by: Eric Sorensen

Some boats earn the appellation "classic" for their looks or longevity. Add smart evolution when it comes to the Grand Banks 42 Classic. First built in 1965 in wood, the builder switched to fiberglass in 1973 and recently has offered larger power plants, making possible 20-plus-knot top speeds with twin diesels. That's a far cry from the original single-screw's sedate 9 knots_and the twins still give the option of throttling back to displacement speeds for better fuel economy and range.

What you get with this classic is a great sea boat with excellent accomodations. The ride is comfortable and reassuring and sound levels are low enough for even an incurably intransignent sailor to crow about.

Sea Trial
In October (1998) I took hull No. 1399 off Rowaton, Ct., into Long Island Sound. Heading into sloppy 2- to 4-foot seas at a continuous cruise of 17 knots at 2400 rpm, our three windshield wipers were busy clearing away the steady stream of salt spray. It's a far drier boat at 10 knots, but even at the wetter speed, not a drop of water made it inside, either through the opening windshield or the starboard-side weatherdeck door. We managed a top speed of 22 knots with full fuel and three passengers on a fully outfitted boat. Rolling in the trough was not much of an adventure, with good form stability keeping our leeward rolls to 12 degrees.

Surrounded by large sections of clear glass, visibility's great at the principal helm station in the saloon - even good enough for backing into a slip. The only glitch is ahead on the port bow where the steering cable pipe, hefty windhield mullion and bow pulpit combine to take an extravagant chunk out of an important part of your horizon. Cable steering is stable; get the optional power hydraulic to eliminate the pipe, reduce steering effort and increase responsiveness.

From the flybridge the view is better still, but the steering also takes more effort, likely due to the friction of the added cable run. In a full-rudder turn at 17 knots, we took a mere 38 seconds to turn 360 degrees, not bad at all for a semi-displacement hull with a full keel.

Topsides
The Grand Banks' ship-like qualities are nowhere more evident than topside, where 18-inch-wide sidedecks, deep bulwarks topped with varnished teak caprails and 33-inch-high life rails lead forward. The oiled teak strip planking makes very pretty - and effective-nonskid. A Lofrans chain windlass handles the plough anchor to starboard on the oversized pulpit. To port on the pulpit is a second roller for a second anchor.

Nowhere are the stainless-and-teak railings are shorter that 31 inches, making this yacht's topsides entirely suitable for human habitation at sea - a feature not to be taken for granted on today's boat market. Atop the aft trunk cabin, a boom and mast will make easy work of dunking the dinghy from its blocks to starboard.

Flying Bridge
White fiberglass and teak deck is the bridge motif, practical in its simplicity. The helm is forward to starboard, and it comes with a 30-inch teak wheel (it was a little low for my 6 feet 3 inches, but Grand Banks will install to suit during construction), separate shifts and throttles (same as below) and full instrumentation.

Saloon
Open, airy and decidedly trawler-like, the 15-foot-long saloon takes up a good portion of the yacht's length. Plenty of headroom, ample windows and a white perforated overhead liner contrast with the teak sole and cabinetry and prevent them from overwhelming the space.

The general layout is conventional and proven, with the L-shaped galley to port opposite the helm. (The builder can add a refrigerator under the the extended "L"). Our boat had a three burner gas stove, microwave oven, sink with teak covering boards, refrigerator and freezer. The Corian countertops are 38 inches high, perfect in my book for preparing culinary marvels for hours on end without tiring. Aft of the helm seat, the console hides an icemaker, and a flip-open lid reveals glass storage galore.

Back aft in the saloon, a comfy area has settess to port and starboard, which open remarkably easily on boost lifts for excellent access below. Both seats covert to berths - save them for the shorter members of your crew, though.

Staterooms
Forward and downstairs, the forward guest stateroom has a V-berth with drawers and storage below, sliding side windows and an opening overhead hatch. A large cedar closet is to port, with an even larger head opposite.

The master stateroom is aft. Check out its cedar closets and a nifty arrangement which puts a shower to starboard and head opposite to port.

The 80-inch queen-sized berth has a real mattress and lots of storage space below. A dresser is built in to starboard, while to port is a corner dressing table with yet more drawers and cubbyholes. Sliding windows let in more daylight, and a companionway lead directly up and out for the athletically inclined. The best part is that you're isolated from your guests (and they from you) in your aft retreat.

Engine Room
A 20-by-30-inch hatch in the saloon sole opens to the yacht's spacious, well-lit engine room. This boat's fiberglass-over-foam hull stringers double as rugged engine beds. To minimize sound and vibration, the builder uses Soundown isolation mounts and a rubber isolation coupling between gear and shaft.

This space would be a veritable dance hall with a single diesel, but even with twins, accessibility is excellent. Seawater strainers and seacocks are on centerline forward in the open, oil dipsticks and freshwater tanks are easy to check and drain; they're located on the inboard side of the black iron fuel tanks, which are outboard and aft of the engines.

The enclosed generator is aft on centerline and reasonably accessible (there's also generator access through a door in the forward bulkhead below the companionway steps). Fiberglass oil pans keep the bilges clean, dripless shaft seals keep the salt water and mist under control, drain lines tie into common overboard discharge fittings above the waterline, and the bilges are ground smooth and coated with gelcoat for good visibility and easy clean-up. I'd like to see mat added over the roving in the hull sides, though, for a smoother, more uniform appearance and easier maintenance.

The yacht's wiring is exceptionally well routed and loomed, yet accessible and numbered for quick troubleshooting and maintenance. I'd add looming along the section attached to the port engine stringer for added chafe protection.

Construction
The chop strand mat skincoat applied over the gelcoat is saturated isophthalic resin to ward off blistering, followed with core mat to prevent print-through. A final coat of mat and woven roving laminate is wet out in general-purpose orthophthalic resin. Hull sides and bottom are are solid glass, stringers are foam-cored and plywood bulkheads are tabbed to the hull. Decks are plywood-cored fiberglass.

Conclusions
The Grand Banks 42 Classic lives up to its name with a commendable mix of speed, livability and seakeeping.

Reprinted Chespeake Bay Magazine 1/99