Grand Banks Eastbay 44: where the tradition of lobsters meets modern cruising

Grand Banks is synonym with a well-defined style: the Downeast  Style. This term refers to a particular view of things and a stylistic approach originated in the coastlines stretching from Canada to Maine.

As for the Grand Banks Eastbay 44, the reference is to a particular category of boats where style, elegance and seaworthiness find their highest expression in one single word: lobster. Lobster boats are boats traditionally used along the North-American coasts to catch lobsters.

Grand Banks inaugurated the era of Lobster boats in 1995 with the launch of the Eastbay 38 which rapidly became the progenitor of a successful range. 23 years later, the American shipyard presents a new creation named Eastbay 44.

Like her predecessors, the Eastbay 44 is a boat which celebrates the marriage between different elements, including classic design and a highly seaworthy hull which don’t fear the insidious waves of the North Atlantic.

Efficient are the words used by Mark Richards, CEO of Grand Banks,  to explain what the new concept represents: ” The Eastbay 44 fully delivers the best of two worlds. You’ll experience all the comfort and style you appreciate in a Downeast yacht, but with the speed, lightness and efficiency of the latest Eastbay generation”.

The classical elements which have traditionally characterized this type of boats are all well-expressed on board the EB44:  a deep and well-protected cockpit, wide side-decks – on which a lateral door opens near the helm station -, an abundance of high safety rails, a spacious foredeck for efficient anchorages and manoeuvres.

Sturdiness, safety and protection are standards that perfectly meet the idea of luxury cruising. The large swim platform, for example, has been designed to make guests enjoys their baths and stops in the bays.

The cockpit is furnished with a L-shaped sofa lying on the transom and facing an additional, comfortable settee positioned on the left of the entrance door which, in turn, leads to the dinette. Centrally located, the engine room is well-arranged, with all the systems and equipment easy to reach and inspect.

As already mentioned, the two side-decks are wide and protected by high safety rails and they give instant access to the bow, where, in addition to the hatch of the fore cabin, there is a large unencumbered surface which can be used by the crewmembers to carry out their anchorage and mooring manoeuvres or by the guests to enjoy their moments of relax.

The Grand Banks Eastbay 44 replicates the conventional waterlines of American lobsters: seaworthy, streamlined and with a deep V-hull which is capable of safe and comfortable passages in open water.

The interiors blend a variety of luxury materials, including hardwood, golden teak, stone and leather. Comfort and security are the key drivers of this concept and this is obvious in everything from rounded corners on cabinetry to the overhead teak grab rails.

The standard layout includes  a spacious master cabin located forward and equipped with en-suite bathroom and a utility room and a guest cabin. An additional cabin can be located on the left bulkhead. All the interiors are bright and benefit from an abundance of natural light entering from the huge lateral windows and hatches of the deck.

Power comes fro two diesel Volvo Penta IPS 600 435hp engines which – at least according to the shipyard – would deliver a cruising speed of 20 knots and a top speed of 32. The boat will be officially presented at the Boot Dusseldorf from January 20-28, 2018.