range required. When this model came out
with a planing hull, we headed to the Hamble
for a trial and thought it was great. She cruises
comfortably at 16-20 knots and tops out at
24 knots. In fact she has two cruising sweet
spots, the fi rst at 12-14 knots and the second
between 18-20 knots, which is about 2,000rpm.
But equally we can run at a displacement
speed of 8 knots very comfortably”. David
also describes it as “an easy boat to live on”.
“It might not have quite the volume of some
mass produced 50-footers, but it’s a very
comfortable four person boat. Everything is
built big, so the showers are very useable and
the size of everything makes it an easy boat
to live on. Four of us have spent two weeks at
a time on board very comfortably”.
SURF’S UP
He reserves special praise for the seakeeping.
“The difference between this type of boat and
the Princess is fairly signifi cant. When it chops
up, I know where I’d rather be. It sits in the
water, not on it, and the fl ybridge has high sides
which give a feeling of safety. The worst we’ve
been in was a Force 6, gusting 7, coming back
from Roscoff. Fortunately it was a southwesterly,
so behind us, but at one point the waves were
higher than the fl ybridge. But she was beautiful.
She was at cruising revs and on autopilot with
the speed ranging between 12 and 22 knots
depending on whether we were going up the
waves or down them. We never felt unsafe.
When we arrived the wind was so strong we
struggled to come alongside!”
David opted for the Europa because “I prefer
the aft deck and the large lazarette. Plus sitting
on the aft deck in a comfortable chair sipping a
glass of something cool is simply a nice place to
be. We did look at a CL, and although I liked the
accommodation, I prefer the layout of this. But
it’s a personal choice. I prefer the looks of this
boat, plus I appreciate that extra storage space.”
Bob and Margaret Fanti own the 47CL on
these pages. After many years of sailing in the
UK and abroad, this is their fi rst motor boat.
“I went straight to the top and bought a Grand
Banks” says Bob. He bought the boat new from
Colin in 2009 and keeps it on the UK south
coast. “I liked the more traditional style of the
trawler yacht and it had a more pleasant interior.
I wasn’t keen on going fast but as it happened
this was GB’s fi rst faster model, giving us the
speed if required”. Bob and Margaret have
taken it to France and Holland and, like David,
rave about the seakeeping. “It feels very solid
and will bash its way through anything.” But why
the CL? “lf you have friends on board each
couple gets their own space at night and then
we meet in the middle – that was the deciding
factor”. Across the two versions, Grand Banks
built over 100 until production ceased in 2014.
And against expectations the Europa outsold
the classic aft-cabin CL.
SURVEYOR’S REPORT
Grand Banks are well known for their
sturdy construction and quality of fi t out,
and this model is no exception. That feel
of a ‘proper little ship’ you get when
entering the saloon or wheelhouse
inspires confi dence, pride of ownership and a smile!
The quantity of teak decking on these boats is
legendary – the original thickness is such that these
should last for decades, but ensure that they have not
been scrubbed excessively. Most decks are positively
fi xed, meaning several hundred screw holes drilled into
the (mainly) foam-cored deck. Exposed heads can
provide a track for water ingress.
The trademark varnished teak transom is prone to UV
degradation. The amount of glass around the wheelhouse
and saloon also risks UV damage to the interior timber
veneers and soft furnishings, unless screened. Similarly,
on a boat, every window and hatch is a leak source.
Monitor regularly, and scrupulously clean all seals and
slides of opening windows.
It is critical that engine service history is checked,
including heat exchanger cleaning. A thorough sea trial
is also recommended, with running at maximum revs
to ensure temperatures remain within specifi cation.
The long cruising range of these boats means that
equipment such as air con and generator would likely
have been fi tted. Test thoroughly prior to purchase.
This hull form will not keep the deck quite as dry as
one with a greater fl are on the bow, and her stiffness is
such that she is keen and therefore ‘quicker’ to return to
the upright in a seaway. However, she will plough on
with dignity and get you through to safe waters.
Chris Olsen, Olsen Marine Surveying
Tel: +44 (0) 7971 250105; http://www.olsenmarine.co.ukSPECIFICATION
Model Grand Banks 47 Heritage
Type Trawler Yacht
In build 2005-2014
Designer Grand Banks/Spark-
man & Stephens
Hull type Planing
RCD Category A
Current value From £395,000
LOA 52ft 8in (16.04m)
Beam 15ft 9in (4.80m)
Draught 3ft 10in (1.17m)
Displacement 20.4 tonnes
Fuel capacity 2,271 litres
Water capacity 984 litres
Performance 25 knots
with twin Cummins
QSC 8.3 500hp diesels
Cruising range 350 miles at
20 knots with 20% reserveCOSTS &
OPTIONS
Servicing (inc labour & VAT)
Caterpillar C9 503hp £2,340Replacement parts (inc VAT)
Drive belt £91.52
Impeller £108.80
Oil fi lter £44.90
Fuel fi lter £26.03PRICE £395,000 PRICE £480,000 PRICE £399,950Date 2010 Twin Caterpillar
C9 503hp. The Europa version
Lying Poole Contact http://www.
boatshowrooms.comDate 2007 Twin Caterpillar C9
503hp. The classic CL version
Lying River Dart
Contact http://www.ancasta.comDate 2007 Twin Caterpillar C9
503hp. The Europa version
Lying Weymouth
Contact http://www.jdyachts.comBUYING USEDSEE MORE
mby.com/gb47