Grand Banks makes me sad....very sad...

Capt.Bill11 said:

Why not donate it or at least sell it dirt cheap to someone who cyan get some more enjoyment out of it.

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Because man screws up life for everything else on this planet every chance we get. We like the idea of giving orher forms of life a break whenever we can. The artificial reef idea is a terrific one. Up in these waters the've sunk ferries, old naval vessels, even a 737 to create habitats for sea creatures. We'd like to do the same with this boat if we can.

We started to sink it this morning while adjusting the packing glands. But we decided we were't done using it so we got out the tapered dowels and rescue tape and after a tense 30 minutes or so managed to keep it on top of Bellingham Bay. For now.

refugio said:

Heck, I've seen 2 Diesel Ducks!
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The only coots I've seen:

I found where old GBs go to die - it's Port Townsend. The one on the right might never see water again:

it does seem a shame that the aft cabin GB has disappeared from production. It seemed to me an ideal boat for entertaining overnight guests with some sembalance of privacy--or a very good option for two couples to charter...what other choices are out there?

Older GB, Tollycraft, Hatteras, Bertram, Chris Craft, Bayliner, Uniflite,... you pick the brand!


They are all basically the same - virtually financial-value-worthless pieces of great FUN! Buy em only in real good condition and at rock bottom price. If at end of many years enjoyment we have to virtually give em away - so be it! The world changes, times change, we change... and everyone/everything around us changes.


Don't Worry... Be Happy - - > Go Boating!!

couldn't agree more with your sentiment, Art. Thanks!

Art, by the way, look forrward to seeing the TF "bay and delta" crowd when I get back there in a couple of weeks....
kind regards

Dawdler said:

it does seem a shame that the aft cabin GB has disappeared from production. It seemed to me an ideal boat for entertaining overnight guests with some sembalance of privacy--or a very good option for two couples to charter...what other choices are out there?

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It is a good cofiguration in the GB36. In the larger sizes where it's possible to have two or more staterooms in the forward cabin, I think the Europa is a better cofiguration because of the covered side and aft decks. Particularly if one boats, as we do, where rainy, windy weather is the norm.

But in a smaller boat the tri-cabin cofiguration with the main cabin separating the two staterooms, each of which have their own head, is a terrific layout if one has guests, kids, etc. on board.

GB is not the only choice in this respect. There are many brands of cruiser like CHB, Puget Trawler, etc. that used this same configuration.

Dawdler said:

I'm sad but not sympathetic. GB blew it when they stopped offering a boat w less than 1000 hp. They gave the "reasonable power" market to kadey Krogen. When I bought my current boat I intentionally sought the older style hull with relatively lower power engines (john Deere).Eventually fuel will go to $8 per gallon and few will want a 40 gph boat. I expressed these sentiments to gb a couple of years ago and their response was that big diesels were efficient at low speeds--ignoring the fact that extended operating at idle is not good for the engines. As much as I like gb, my next boat will probably be a KK. I'm admittedly not a mainstream buyer, but somewhat appalled that GB doesn't want my business....

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It's interesting to note that the test data on fuel consumption published in passage maker magazine, the new GB with its 715 HP M-11 Cummins twins will cruise at a trawler-like 8 knots spending 3.75 GPH @1000 RPM.

A sedan and a Europa, both underway, in one shot:

The future of Grand Banks

The whole picture has come together in that Palm Beach was able to see more than they could build and now four models of Palm Beach are being built in the Grand Banks facility. They also take pride that the 60' Grand Banks is being built with materials and methods of Palm Beach.

A couple of board changes made at their annual meeting.

As an overview, I'd say time to publish the obituary of Grand Banks, the boat, as known through their Classic, Heritage, Europa, and Aleutian models over time.

However, it possibly could be the salvation of Grand Banks, the Company, builder of Palm Beach, Eastbay and perhaps something new more like Palm Beach than Grand Banks.

A new regime in charge with the CEO from Palm Beach, a local CFO now, with no boat experience (resignation of long time CFO who also served as interim COO..to pursue other interests) and a career professional in sailmaking on the board. The acquisition of Palm Beach was one company with demand, one with unused production capacity. The quarter ending September 30, they reported income.

Perhaps too it all comes together not to save a brand, but to save the jobs of the Malaysian work force.

This also ties into their dealer termination on Grand Banks, simply because their sales are minimal, not the key to the company and now with the production void taken care of then pursuing more margin by reducing sales commissions may make sense.

So, thinking of Grand Banks, the label, the brand, I have some sadness. However, thinking of the company and the people in Malaysia, there is reason for some optimism. Even if not the direction I might have chosen, it's good to see what was a rudderless company now finding a course.

My suspicion of a reverse takeover, even if not financially, seems borne out.
We saw a lovely GB, maybe a 46,for sale today while at the RMYC timber boat show.
Had this "reorganization" not happened, it seems the brand was headed for deep trouble. A form of salvation, albeit with a significant change of direction, is preferable to failure.

BruceK said:

My suspicion of a reverse takeover, even if not financially, seems borne out.
We saw a lovely GB, maybe a 46,for sale today while at the RMYC timber boat show.
Had this "reorganization" not happened, it seems the brand was headed for deep trouble. A form of salvation, albeit with a significant change of direction, is preferable to failure.

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Yes, reverse in terms of control and direction. Really over a period of time it's been Exa/Genting and other investors friendly to them taking over from Livingston and then this appears to be their move to replace all the old with the new.

I do have one marketing concern and would love to hear from others, especially Australians on this. Palm Beach has been selling well as an Australian built boat. We've had discussions here about Australian builders doing surprisingly well. Ultimately might this take some of that glow off the brand? As a Malaysian built boat will it have the same appeal? Now, right now some are being built in Australia and some in Malaysia. I can easily picture buyers wanting to know and be sure there's is coming from Australia. I'm not saying that boat from Australia is better, but I'm saying there's a perception of Australia that appears to help in the market place. I'll say it certainly carries some value in the US as reflected by Maritimo and Riviera. If they were identical to what they are today, but built in China, they wouldn't have the same market appeal.

Australians are well accustomed to imports, cars, boats, electrical appliances, etc, some manufacture of PB in Malaysia won`t be a concern here,(though Malaysia itself often is, since our PM called Mahathir "a recalcitrant" years ago,Malaysia`s trashing of political opponents, with repeated trumped up allegations of sexual misconduct against Anwar Ibrahim, and reports of "unusual applications" of Govt. funds).
As to US perceptions of quality difference between Aust and Malaysian builds, it is hard to say from this end, but it is apparent, even as someone who has not and probably never will own a Mariner/Riviera/Maritimo/Palm Beach, that there is good build quality as reflected in the longevity of the boats. It would be a compliment if US buyers preferred Australian build to Malaysian. Perhaps the Aussie connection of Mark Richards as CEO is enough to sustain building elsewhere.

Just an update....

Grand Banks brand is now down to 2 Heritage models, 2 Aleutian models and 2 Eastbay models, only one of which has been produced. They've chosen on the Eastbay to redesign more like Palm Beach.

As to the new 60' that drawings were released long ago, there has been nothing else on it and it still hasn't made their web site. It was presented at the Newport boat show in September. It looks to me like they were just floating an idea to get feedback before deciding whether to go further or not.

Essentially the turn around strategy has been to emphasize Palm Beach and build on that, building them in Australia and Malaysia, then to redesign the GB line up more consistent with Palm Beach.

BandB said:

Grand Banks brand is now down to 2 Heritage models, 2 Aleutian models and 2 Eastbay models, only one of which has been produced. They've chosen on the Eastbay to redesign more like Palm Beach.

As to the new 60' that drawings were released long ago, there has been nothing else on it and it still hasn't made their web site. It was presented at the Newport boat show in September. It looks to me like they were just floating an idea to get feedback before deciding whether to go further or not.

Essentially the turn around strategy has been to emphasize Palm Beach and build on that, building them in Australia and Malaysia, then to redesign the GB line up more consistent with Palm Beach.

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Gasping for air??

BruceK said:

...It would be a compliment if US buyers preferred Australian build to Malaysian...

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You know maybe it's just a cultural thing, but personally I'd prefer Australian over Malaysian anything.

Art said:

Gasping for air??

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It's a very conscious decision at this point. Palm Beach has been selling and Grand Banks hasn't. Palm Beach had better production methods apparently as well. The Palm Beach owner was put in charge. The GB shareholders want a profitable boat company building in Malaysia. They don't care what they're building.

As a side note, the Genting Group, largest shareholders of Grand Banks now through one form or another, have now purchased the Lloyd shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany and ordered 8 cruise ships worth $2 billion from it.

Most automobiles are scrap after 20 years not so with boats like GB. Part of the problem for new construction is the huge used market and the very big price tag on the new boat. A company that keeps producing similar boats over a long run which can not keep owners trading up will run into a brick wall.

I don't think the issue with GB is generation it's a lack of direction. They started out with a clear purpose and direction, "a dependable diesel cruiser" and were enormously successful. There is still demand for such seaworthy vessels as another member posted. GB lost focus and now try to straddle the gray area between modern Euro and traditional. The result are well made boats that few people want. The market for deep sea vessels has been quite strong.

Around 2000 Grand Banks shifted from a semi-displacement hull - their 42 used to have Lehman 120/135s, to a V-hull with large engines. Then the fuel prices spiked. I wondered at the time whether they had made a poor decision.

Designed by Beneteau ? guess that's where the market is.

I would like to know more about the Grand Banks 53 Aleutian series.
I am considering purchasing one with 900 hrs and Cat C 12 engines.
Currently own a 52 Maritimo and have decided my current boat is a marina hopper.
Not suited to anchoring out for long times, no water maker, limited space.
any help is appreciated I have been looking at Marlow also.
thanks
JT33950

JT 33950 said:

I would like to know more about the Grand Banks 53 Aleutian series.
I am considering purchasing one with 900 hrs and Cat C 12 engines.
Currently own a 52 Maritimo and have decided my current boat is a marina hopper.
Not suited to anchoring out for long times, no water maker, limited space.
any help is appreciated I have been looking at Marlow also.
thanks
JT33950

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it's customary to start new threads when you have questions, not resurrect ancient posts from years ago by tacking on unrelated replies.

wkearney99 said:

it's customary to start new threads when you have questions, not resurrect ancient posts from years ago by tacking on unrelated replies.

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Yes, this was a 2015 thread when things looked dismal for Grand Banks. Turned out to be true as the line as we knew it is gone. However, Palm Beach saved them and Eastbay did some and now new Grand Banks models and they've actually shown some profits.

That also means that the Grand Banks of today is in no way similar to the old Grand Banks. Only one boat remains.