(No, this isn't a review, it's a description and some opinions) :-)


Grand Banks 36' Sedan

On more than one occasion I have overheard snippets of conversation
where someone remarks that "Grand Banks invented the trawler."
Surplus North Sea trawlers were being converted to pleasure yachts in
the late 1940's and 50's, (and I wouldn't want to crawl out on
some limb that claimed even those were the "first" recreational
trawlers). Few companies have been as thoroughly immersed in the
production and development of any specialized category of vessel as has
American Marine with the Grand Banks division. Grand Banks production
began in 1965, so it is fair to say that while Grand Banks didn't
actually invent the trawler the company has probably done more than any
other to define it. Almost any boater asked to name builders of high
quality trawlers would include Grand Banks among the leaders. It's a
reputation that has been earned at the design board and on the factory
floor, not spawned by a glitzy ad campaign.

The Grand Banks series has included boats from 32-58 feet, but while
other sizes have been discontinued or introduced at a later date only
the 36-foot models have been built continuously since 1965. Grand Banks
has built the 36-footers in just about every imaginable trawler
configuration. The original 36-foot Grand Banks was a "classic"
tri-cabin layout, with guest stateroom forward, galley and salon
midship, and a master stateroom most aft. After 8 years of production
in Philippine mahogany and another 15 in fiberglass, in 1988 the
original 36-footer picked up an additional 6-inches in beam and length
to become the 36 "Classic" that remains popular today. Grand Banks
created a "Motoryacht" edition of the 36 by eliminating the cockpit
and side decks aft of the salon to create a larger master stateroom.

Two 36-footers are offered with longer main cabins and without the aft
stateroom. The "Europa" design features a bridgedeck that extends
to cover the side decks as well as the cockpit. This month's NW
Classic, "Tomten" is a 36-foot Grand Banks sedan. The sedan shares
a common cabin layout with the "Europa", but doesn't have the
overhangs above the side decks and the covered cockpit. The covered
sidedecks and cockpit of the "Europa" have an obvious, climate
related appeal in the Pacific Northwest, but as we examined
"Tomten" we realized there are some excellent reasons why certain
boaters would definitely prefer the sedan.

We found "Tomten" among the listings of Passage Maker Yachts on
Northlake Avenue in Seattle.

The Grand Banks 36 semi-displacement hull has changed very little in 40
years. The boats are still characterized by an almost plumb stem,
graceful sheer, moderate freeboard, and a high, chop-busting bow. A
long keel improves handling and stability. Boats built in a single
screw configuration feature large rudders and a prop-protecting skeg.
The sedan superstructure is a study in simplicity. Some critics might
call the design "boxy," but it is interesting to note that this
shape has endured for 40 years and remains a definite charm while a
long series of "modern" designs that make the Grand Banks sedan
look "boxy" by comparison have just simply disappeared.

"Tomten" is 36' LOA, with a 12'8" beam and a 4' draft. Her
displacement is listed at 26,000 pounds. She is powered by twin 210-HP
6BTA Cummins engines said to be capable of making 15kts WOT, (and more
than adequate power for traditional trawler
Cruising at 8-10 kts). At slower speeds, "Tomten" should be a good
choice for long range coastal cruising; she carries 410 gallons of fuel
and 200 gallons of water. Additional potable water can be produced in
the vessel's HRO System 9 watermaker, and there is a 4KW Onan
generator as well as a Heart 2000 inverter to provide AC power
underway.
An Espar diesel furnace will keep "Tomten" comfortable during the
cooler NW months.

We stepped aboard "Tomten" through a hinged section of the handrail
on the port side.
One of the differences between the sedan and the Europa is that the
sedan can be more readily boarded, particularly from a vessel rafted
alongside or a high dock. There's no need to "duck between" the
bulwarks and the overhanging deck. "Tomten" was built in
1989, and her teak decks are still in very good condition. The wide
side decks are a Grand Banks trademark. Wider side decks will result in
narrower cabin interiors, but the boaters who are attracted to Grand
Banks seem to place a high emphasis on safety, practicality, and
utility (as well as cabin comfort) and value the merits of secure and
practical footing between the cockpit and the foredeck.

"Tomten" has a canvas dodger protecting the cockpit, rather than a
fixed hardtop.
This appears to be a practical solution that creates a dry social
extension of the salon onto the cockpit, keeps line handlers somewhat
protected from inclement weather, and can be quickly dismantled when an
open-air cockpit is desired for sunbathing or fishing.
There is no doubt that the sedan is a more fishable design than the
"Europa". Extended hardtops tend to be a nuisance when fishing from
the cockpit, and if a large fish makes a run that requires an angler to
get quickly to the foredeck the fishing rod needs to be passed around
the outside of vertical supports on any boat with overhanging side
decks.
We noted a large lazarette, a transom door, and a fair sized chest
freezer in the cockpit area. The freezer will allow "Tomten" to
provision for some extended time at anchor or cruises into areas where
groceries will be scarce.

In addition to the canvas dodger over the cockpit, "Tomten" has a
bimini top for the flybridge, and a full set of caprail and handrail
covers to protect the beautifully finished brightwork. Exterior
brightwork is limited to the rails and the transom, and if the rails
are kept covered except for "dressy" events "Tomten"
shouldn't prove to be a cruel taskmaster with a voracious appetite
for varnish.

The Grand Banks 36 sedan has a large boat deck and flybridge, taking
full advantage of the longer main cabin. Access to the flybridge is up
a ladder in the starboard forequarter of the cockpit, and an aluminum
mast and boom is mounted just above the aft cabin bulkhead.

Grand Banks has offered the 36 Sedan in both single and dual stateroom
versions.
"Tomten" will appeal to cruising couples without kids or a lot of
regular overnight guests as she features the larger, more deluxe
compartment of the single stateroom design. A large double berth is on
centerline, with stowage on either side. The gunwales are covered in
teak battens, and in the Grand Banks tradition the interior of the
vessel is a combination of surfaces painted in soft white yacht enamel
and others trimmed with teak. The relatively tall superstructure of the
Grand Banks provides enough trunk cabin clearance above the foredeck
that four bright sliding windows, (rather than a few small portlights
as might be expected on similar boats) introduce light into the forward
cabin. The windows are laminated glass, and reasonably well protected
by the foredeck bulwarks so there is minimal risk of breakage by a wave
coming over the bow. Three translucent overhead hatches also provide
light and ventilation, placing the stateroom on the Grand Banks 36
sedan among the champions in the "light and airy" category.

The 36 Sedan features a single head, located in the aft port quarter of
the forward stateroom. A separate shower compartment is located in the
aft starboard quarter of the stateroom.

There is stowage underneath each of the steps between the stateroom and
the main cabin.
The underside of each teak step is as perfectly finished as the top,
and yacht enamel has been meticulously applied to the interior surfaces
of each under-step locker. One expects this standard on a Grand Banks.

The lower helm is to starboard in the main cabin. "Tomten" is very
well equipped for easy handling and precise navigation. In addition to
her twin engines, she is equipped with a bow thruster for easy
handling. Major electronics include Raytheon radar, Cetrec autopilot,
Raytheon GPS, Sitex video sounder, Icom M100 VHF radio, and a NMEA
computer connection. (A Twinscope forward scanning sonar is located on
the flybridge).

"Tomten's" galley is opposite the helm, in the port forequarter
of the main cabin. One of the most endearing characteristics of Grand
Banks trawlers has always been their immense practicality. The galley
on "Tomten" is equipped with a propane stove and oven, a stainless
steel sink with removable cover, and an impressive Grunert holding
plate refrigeration system. There are lockers and drawers galore, and
quite a bit of space in the U-shaped galley. Are there boats with
fancier galleys, more loaded with gewgaws and gadgets? Absolutely- but
the galley on "Tomten" appears to be a comfortable, practical, and
pleasant place to enjoy preparing food. One could do far worse, and
many have. Grand Banks has demonstrated through these 40 years that
there is incredible beauty in the simple, the functional, and the
practical when well executed.

Just as the single stateroom design provides a surprisingly large
master stateroom, "Tomten's" sedan configuration enables a salon
that is longer than in most boats of similar size. A settee to port and
an adjustable table will prove very useful for dining, snacking, or
partying. Matching teak chairs located on the starboard side of the
salon can be pulled up to the table to provide seating for quite a
crowd, or for a few quick hands of a favorite card game. The settee can
be pressed into service as a guest bunk. A beverage locker is to port,
just aft of the helm chair and an entertainment locker with TV, AM/FM
CD stereo, is located immediately inside the aft bulkhead door, to
starboard.

An additional characteristic of the Grand Banks 36 Sedan, when compared
to the Europa, is that the salon is flooded with light. The large
windows are not "shaded" by the overhanging decks. Even on a
moderately overcast day, it was very apparent that "Tomten" offers
more natural daylight than many trawlers of similar size, including
some other Grand Banks.

"Tomten" is an excellent example of an impressive boat created by
the splendid execution of a simple design. Based on the fact that Grand
Banks trawlers (and the dozens of boat brands that Grand Banks directly
inspired) can be seen throughout the Pacific Northwest decade after
decade, there should be little or no dispute that many regional boaters
consider the Grand Banks a "classic" choice.