In 1987, GB became a public listed company and its shares were traded on the SESDAQ board of the Stock Exchange of Singapore. In 1993, the company was upgraded to the main board of the Stock Exchange of Singapore. In 2004, the listed name was changed to Grand Banks Yachts Limited.
Originally located in Jurong for 31 years, Grand Banks relocated its operations to its new factory in Loyang in 1999. Today, the company has a factory located in Loyang Crescent and a factory located in the state of Johor, Malaysia.
Supported by a total work force of about 1300 employees in Singapore and Malaysia, Grand Banks has an average production capacity of around 100+ boats per year.
GB36-001 was launched in 1964 (June). Company would eventually build 1,141 GB36s before retiring the model in 2003. In 1965 Grand Banks launched GB42-001 (August). More than 1,550 GB42s have been built to this day. In 1984 was launched GB 46-001, which remains in production today with over 280 boats sold. GB42-1000 was launched in 1987 (April). Today the GB42 remains one of the most successful production cruising yachts ever built. In 1993 Grand Banks launches the 38 Eastbay EX, first of the C.R. Hunt-designed Eastbay Series. Since that time Grand Banks has added new Eastbay models in 40, 43, 47, 49, 54, and 58-foot lengths. In 2001 the raised-pilothouse Aleutian Series makes its debut with the 64RP. Over the next four years the Series is expanded to include the 70CP and 59RP models.
All Grand Banks boats are built on hard-chine, deep-draft, semi-displacement hulls with full-length keels, none of which are any good at all for blistering speed.
For the last years, company has made thousands of changes and refinements to the boat.
The most profound came during 1973, with hull number 353, when the company switched from mahogany planking to fiberglass construction. A second important change came in 1991, with hull number 1204, when the GB 42 hull gained 8 inches of length and 6 inches of beam, giving the boat even roomier interior spaces.
Other significant changes over the years have included new engine packages. Although a few boats came with a single diesel powerplant, most early GB 42s came with a pair of economical 120 hp or 135 hp Lehman Ford diesels. With these engines throttled to a cruising speed of about eight knots, a GB 42 will have a range of around 1,000 miles.
One thing that hasn't changed over the years is Grand Banks' quality. First-rate workmanship and materials - from the rich teak interior joinery to the flawless gelcoat - are Grand Banks hallmarks. And any knowledgeable buyer will appreciate the thoughtful engineering that goes into a Grand Banks, including a well-ordered engine room with easily accessible components.
Because GB 42s come in wood or fiberglass, and because they can be as old as 30 years or as new as yesterday, used boat asking prices have very wide range indeed.