Grand Banks Yachts will mark its 70th Anniversary this year, celebrating seven decades of innovation that have helped shape the modern power cruising yacht. The milestone will officially launch at the Palm Beach International Boat Show on March 25, kicking off a seven-month global programme of owner events, storytelling, and editorial features tracing the brand’s journey—from its origins on the Hong Kong waterfront in 1956 to its position today as a leader in long-range cruising performance.
Few boatbuilders can claim a legacy as influential. Since its founding as American Marine Ltd., Grand Banks has consistently introduced market-defining designs, advanced construction methods, and cultivated a loyal international following drawn to its reputation for capable, thoughtfully crafted yachts.
That legacy took shape in 1964 with the Grand Banks 36, a model widely credited with establishing the production trawler category and influencing generations of passagemaking yachts. The company continued to push boundaries with the Alaskan raised pilothouse series in 1968, its transition from timber to fibreglass construction, and later the launch of the Eastbay line in 1993, which helped define the modern Down East performance cruiser.
Under the leadership of CEO and Chief Designer Mark Richards since 2014, Grand Banks has undergone a significant evolution. Drawing on his background as a world-champion sailor and shipwright, Richards has led a transformation focused on performance-driven efficiency and contemporary design. This direction culminated in the launch of the Grand Banks 60 in 2017, alongside the introduction of V-WARP Technology®—a design and construction approach delivering substantial gains in speed, range, and fuel efficiency. Today’s models are capable of long-range cruising at higher speeds while achieving up to 65 percent greater fuel efficiency than comparable yachts.
The current Grand Banks and Eastbay portfolios span 16 models, all reflecting the brand’s enduring commitment to innovation and purposeful design.
Anniversary celebrations will include the official launch event in Palm Beach, a commemorative edition of the company’s in-house magazine, and owner gatherings across the United States, Australia, and Europe. A curated programme of digital and editorial storytelling will also highlight the people, designs, and milestones that have defined the brand over seven decades.
While the anniversary honours a rich heritage, it also signals the future. Grand Banks is preparing to unveil the next chapter with the forthcoming Grand Banks 70, a model set to build on the company’s hallmark efficiency and performance while introducing refined design, increased customisation, and capabilities aimed at the future of long-range cruising at speed.
