Description

GRAND BANKS 42

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY, QUALITY SHIP MODEL

Dimension approx.: 38″ (long) x 11″ (wide) x 23″ (high).
The model is already built. THIS IS NOT A MODEL SHIP KIT
RC READY - hatched open for easy installation of RC equipment, propeller(s) and motor (not included)

When the Grand Banks 42 first appeared in 1966, it quietly redefined what a cruising powerboat could be. At a time when most pleasure craft were either fast sport boats or converted workboats, the 42 introduced something new: a purpose‑built, long‑range trawler yacht designed not for speed, but for freedom. Naval architect Ken Smith blended the lines of Newfoundland fishing trawlers with the comfort expectations of American coastal cruisers, creating a boat that looked traditional yet felt revolutionary.

Its profile became instantly recognizable — the tall, proud bow; the broken sheer; the sturdy pilothouse with its three‑panel windshield; the wide side decks and bulwarks; and the flybridge perched above like a command post. Beneath the waterline, a semidisplacement hull with a deep, full‑length keel gave the 42 exceptional tracking and stability. It wasn’t built to race; it was built to go anywhere, in almost any weather, at a steady, reassuring 7–10 knots.

Early models were powered by single Ford Lehman diesels, engines known for their simplicity and near‑indestructibility. Many owners later opted for twins, but the single‑engine 42 — capable of 1,200+ nautical miles on a tank — became the archetype of the economical long‑distance cruiser.

The Grand Banks 42 quickly became the backbone of the company’s lineup. When Grand Banks transitioned from wood to fiberglass construction in the early 1970s, the 42 was the model that carried the brand into the modern era. The hulls were hand‑laid, massively overbuilt, and engineered with the kind of conservative, commercial‑grade philosophy that made owners feel safe far from shore.

The result was a boat that aged gracefully. Decades later, many 42s still carry their original gelcoat, their hulls as solid as the day they left the yard. This durability helped popularize the term “trawler yacht” in recreational boating — a category the 42 effectively invented.

Over nearly 40 years of production, the 42 evolved into three major variants:

42 Classic (1975–2005): The quintessential layout — aft cabin, forward stateroom, saloon and galley midships, and the iconic silhouette.
42 Europa (1979–2005): Extended deckhouse and covered side decks, ideal for indoor‑outdoor living.
42 Motor Yacht (1987–2005): A more spacious aft cabin and enhanced accommodations for liveaboard cruising.

Across all versions, more than 1,555 hulls were built — an extraordinary number for a yacht of this size and class.

Owners loved the 42 for reasons that went beyond its looks. It was a boat that inspired confidence. The deep keel protected the running gear. The heavy layup absorbed punishment. The systems were accessible and serviceable. The interior layouts were warm, practical, and family‑friendly — forward and aft staterooms, a bright saloon, a real galley, and in some years, a dinette or bunk cabin.

It was a boat that could take a couple up the Inside Passage, carry a family down the Intracoastal Waterway, or cross to the Bahamas without drama. It was a boat that made people fall in love with cruising.

Naval architect Jack Hornor once called it “one of the most popular boat types in the world,” and he wasn’t exaggerating.

Production ended in 2005, but the Grand Banks 42 remains one of the most sought‑after trawlers on the used market. Buyers prize them for their Proven seaworthiness, Timeless design, Exceptional resale value, Low operating costs, and Remarkable longevity. In an era of high‑tech yachts and complex systems, the 42 stands as a reminder of a different philosophy — one built on simplicity, strength, and the joy of unhurried travel.