Trade-A-Boat — February 2018

W

ith Grand
Banks’
latest
Aleutian
55 Raised
Pilothouse unavailable to
test in Australia, a plan was
hatched to review the boat at
its home port of Johor Bahru,
Malaysia, and I took solace in
the fact our test boat had the
air-conditioning cranked-up
high. And the vessel in the
GB slipway is hull no.1 of the
Aleutian 55 RP model.
The A55 RP is an update
of the A53 – the smallest in
the Aleutian fleet, which
stretches to 76ft. And
extending the waterline
a mere two feet, Grand
Banks was able to make
a vast number of clever
improvements. The most
obvious gain is space in the
cockpit, but also significant
performance advantages.
A longer waterline length
equals higher top speeds,
greater lift, cleaner trim and
improved efficiency.

At a glance, the A55

RP looks similar to the

54 Heritage EU and the

two boats certainly share

comparable designs, but

there are key differences.

What the A55 offers in that

step-down from the helm/

galley to the saloon is an

aft deck much closer to the

water. Also appealing is the

Portuguese bridge.

As with every Grand Banks

yacht, the Aleutian 55 is

unashamedly pitched as a

bluewater passagemaker.

What’s interesting about

this one is that the A55

weighs in more than three

tonnes lighter than the

Heritage, despite being 2.5m

longer overall. This weight

saving is due to a swept-

back flybridge and slightly

shorter deckhouse. So what

does that mean for owners?

Performance, baby.

The A55 houses twin 705hp

Cummins QSM 11 engines,

that will see almost 1000nm

at 10kts, but the Aleutian

enjoys the fast stuff more.

And she’ll cost you less to

do it. Fuel figures show

consumption is a moderate

170lt/h at 18kts, while top

speed is around 22.5kts.

There are a small series

of steps between the galley

and pilothouse, but once you

descend, the wide saloon

invites total relaxation under

full-height windows and on

the wide couches.

The enclosed pilothouse

offers a social space

to navigate from with

passengers on the adjacent

lounge, the compact galley

with everything you need.

Accomodation lies

beneath, in this case a

forwardVIP and port bunk

room with shared en suite.

The full-beam stateroom is

aft and lavishly appointed.

But let’s not forget the

flybridge. Because if you’re

anything like me, this is

the spot you’ll be wanting

to drive from. And relax in.

Access to the main deck is via

forward stairs on port, or a

ladder to the stern.

Singapore’s glassy harbour

failed to challenge the A55’s

handling, but her low centre

of gravity and the renowned

prowess of those trawler hulls

suggest solid performance in

the rough stuff.

TheAleutian 55 RP

has much to offer the

experienced buyer.

The stylish fit-out and

performance will have you

confidently setting a course

over the horizon.

quick specs

Grand Banks Aleutian 55 RP

PRICED FROM POA

MATERIAL GRP hull, foam

core decks

TYPE Semi-displacement

monohull

LENGTH 19.07m

BEAM 5.4m

ENGINE 2x 705hp Cummins

QSM 11 diesel

FUEL 4000lt

WATER 1136lt

FOR MORE INFO

Visit grandbanks.com.au

Grand Banks Aleutian 55 RP

SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER

STORY BEN KEYS

PHOTO ELLEN DEWAR

tradeboats.com.au 77

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