Motor Boat & Yachting – August 2019

decided to extend the transom to the end of

the waterline and revert to a bolt-on- style

platform, and in 2010 the fl ybridge overhang

of the Europa version was increased to match it.

Grand Banks built two versions, the classic aft

cabin confi guration that took accommodation

almost the full length of the vessel called the CL,

and the Europa, which was an aft-cockpit boat.

Both sit on the same hull taking full advantage

of the massive, near 16ft, beam to gift wide,

deeply bulwarked side decks, and both are

near identical back to the triple upright

windscreens. But stroll aft from there and you’ll

fi nd yourself under motor yacht-style overhangs

extended out from the fl ybridge on the Europa.

At the back of this model those side decks

segue into a fl at aft deck plenty large enough to

lay out a table and chairs, beneath which you’ll

fi nd a lazarette big enough to install a freezer or

washing machine and above which you’ll fi nd

the fl ybridge extends to almost level with the

transom. That extension allows space to store

a dinghy behind a generous, high-sided

fl ybridge. The CL gets the same fl ybridge

minus the overhang – the dinghy instead

sitting on the cabin roof of the aft cabin.

It loses that shaded aft cockpit, and although

it still has a lazarette, it’s far smaller.

BIG ON THE INSIDE

Head inside and the tables are turned. Both

boats get a large saloon, the Europa level with

the aft cockpit, the CL a few steps down from

the aft cabin roof. And both interiors are a riot

of solid teak, sturdy handrails and big windows.

But head forward and differences become

evident. The Europa puts the galley alongside

and level with the helm, steps forward taking

you down to a two-cabin, two-heads layout. The

forward cabin, with its low centreline double

and generous ensuite, is clearly the master,

guests get the twin-bedded cabin to starboard

and cross the corridor to use the day heads.

Headroom is full standing everywhere, toilets

have domestic-style separate shower cubicles

and there’s plenty of storage – it’s a proper ‘little

ship’. But it’s bested inside by the CL. The

forward cabin is very similar to the Europa, the

COVERED

SIDEDECKS

Flybridge extensions

and pillars provide

protection for the

sidedecks

FLYBRIDGE

OVERHANG

This provides storage

for the tender up top as

well as shelter for the

cockpit beneath

EXTENDED HULL

Note how the hull

extends all the way

under the bathing

platfom to give extra lift

The Europa’s saloon opens
directly onto the aft cockpit

With no aft cabin on this version,
the master suite is forward

BUYING USED

The generous ensuite

master bathroom

EUROPA VERSION

T h i s model has an

open aft cockpit in place

of the Classic’s aft

cabin, and a longer

fl ybridge

The galley is on the

same level as the saloon