Grand Banks 46 Classic Review (1990 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

Boarding is via a side boarding door into reassuringly wide side decks - easy to move fore and aft even with gear in hand. The boat wears its age well where it counts but shows its years where you’d expect. Much of the exterior brightwork is covered - smart move on an older Grand Banks - and the teak needs attention. Plan on TLC or replacement in places, but the bones feel right.

Aft layout is the big story. This is an aft cabin cockpit motor yacht - practically and technically - which changes how you use the boat. The cockpit gives you a proper working and lounging zone with direct access to the owner’s suite, plus a safe place to handle lines.

Transom setup is stout. Centre transom door feels heavy and solid. There’s a bolt-on swim platform with a fold-up swim ladder - oversized rungs that make getting out of the water simple, even in a bit of chop. At the transom you’ve got a shower, drains, lazarette access, and a covered access point for the emergency tiller so you can steer if hydraulics ever go on strike. The aft cabin door here doubles as a companionway - leave the top open and pull the door shut for breeze and light without bugs.

Up a level, the boat deck is quirky in a good way. Instead of a sun terrace it’s a working boat deck with tender storage, a classic mast and boom - the boom acts as the crane for launch and recovery using a simple purchase system. There’s a dedicated outboard for the tender mounted up here, a BBQ, and a life raft on deck. The electronics mast is hinged with visible wing nuts and a proper hinge plate - the whole mast folds aft so Great Loop bridge clearances are in play.

The flybridge is bigger than it looks on paper for a 46. Two aft-facing benches and two forward-facing benches give real seating for about 10 underway. The table can convert to more of a dining setup for alfresco meals. There’s a soft forward enclosure in place and the rest can be fully enclosed if you want to button it up. Teak on the bridge looks serviceable - likely a light sand and seal away from looking sharp again. Visibility is excellent in every direction with sides open - easy to keep an eye on side decks and what’s happening astern.

Forward, the bow keeps the traditional trawler vibe - tall bulwarks, lots of character in the woodwork, and it’s all largely protected under covers. There’s a small forward bench with storage beneath. Shore power inlets are at the bow as well as at the stern for flexibility in different marinas. Ground tackle is set up for real cruising - foot switches for the windlass, dual anchors with the primary plus an emergency secondary on a port-side winch, all feeding an anchor pulpit. It’s an honest, nostalgic foredeck that will clean up nicely with some elbow grease.

Overall exterior take - classic trawler lines, a cockpit that actually works, a proper boat deck for the tender, and a foldable mast that opens up route options. Wood needs love - but that’s part of the charm and the project brief on a well-priced 1990 GB 46.

Step in on the port side - straight into the salon - with the cool air con doing its job. The vibe is pure Grand Banks - cozy wood cabin feel without the tired bits.

Layout is simple and friendly - helm forward, salon amidshps, a quirky little bar on the portside. The bar has bottle storage, counter space, an ice maker and a neat shutter so you can close it off. Stools are set so you can still see out - breakfast underway is very much a thing here.

The salon uses loose furniture which is easy to re-arrange to your taste. As shown it’s four for dinner - add the extra chairs and you’re at six. The table is a convertible hi-lo with storage built in - there’s more shelving and drawers along the sides. The old ‘90s deepset TV spot is still there - perfect for a hidden lift or a fixed flat screen if you want it back.

Light and air are a highlight - most windows open including the center panes - so you can get a true cross-breeze and skip the AC when it’s cooler. The ceiling liner looks original and in great shape - a rare win on boats of this age. The whole space feels solid underfoot - good bones to work with.

The helm inside carries the same character - analog gauges next to two small Garmin chartplotters - separate Morse shift and throttle - classic toggles for windlass, trim tabs, horn, and wipers - with electrical gauges grouped nearby. The main switchboard sits right here too - low voltage on top, high voltage on the bottom - easy to access while you’re still part of the salon. Overhead you’ve got comms gear, individual wiper controls, breaker switches - and a compass tucked neatly under a cover. There’s a proper little glove box as well - small but satisfying. VHF fixed and a handheld are both present - plus access panels for electronics and extra storage.

Drop a couple of steps and you’re in the galley - surprisingly open for a boat this vintage. Single sink - big cold box with individual cooling plates - separate deep freezer for real provisioning - oven - electric stove with old-school burners - and a later-added microwave. Storage is generous - bottle racks, a proper deep pantry, and the spot where a trash compactor once lived if you want to reinstate it. The extractor fan vents right overboard - simple and effective. The whole galley zone can be closed off with doors - handy when you’re cooking or want to separate spaces.

Owner's Cabin

Head aft and you find the owner’s suite - a full-beam cabin that makes the most of the aft location. Entry is through a set of double doors - quirky and charming - and the space feels taller than expected as you step down.

The berth is at least a full - possibly queen - with room to expand if you wanted to fit a bigger mattress. Outboard there’s plenty of storage - drawers running along one side, a countertop above, and a proper hanging locker with good depth. Even under the berth you’ll find more drawers.

Light and air are strong points here - every window opens, including the large one that connects directly with the aft cockpit companionway. You can picture it on anchor in the islands - every hatch and window open - breeze moving through like on a sailboat - making AC optional.

The cabin doubles as a workable liveaboard space - there’s even a desk that can serve as a small home office. Enough room for a laptop and workspace - or just a spot to write logs and charge gear.

The en suite head is simple - sink with storage, drawers, and another opening window. There’s also a separate shower stall - a good one-person size - functional and easy to keep.

The overall impression is of a cabin that feels warm and useful - wood everywhere, plenty of ventilation, and space to make it your own. For anyone who likes to tinker with finish - whether you prefer varnish, oil, or a matte look - it’s a project space that could be fun rather than daunting.

Guest Accommodation

Forward you get the guest spaces - starting with the VIP cabin in the bow. The berth is unusually big for a 46 - with the insert in place it’s massive - easily a family bed where four kids could pile in or two adults spread out. For storage, there's a hanging locker to starboard, mirror fitted, and drawers built around.

There’s a fun little quirk too - temperature gauges for the fridge and freezer mounted in here. Odd placement - but pure 1990 charm.

Just outside is the dedicated head for this cabin. Countertop space is generous - sink, medicine cabinet, and storage below. The shower is a proper one-person stall - overhead hatch for light and air - and those removable mosquito net inserts on the hatches are still in place. It’s basic but practical.

Another surprise in this forward section - a sliding door hides a washer and dryer. Two separate units, built-in. Whether they work today or not, the space is there and big enough to drop in new machines if needed. Panels can be removed to fit replacements, which makes it genuinely useful for liveaboard or cruising use.

Access is via removable panels in the owner’s suite or a dedicated hatch. Drop down and you’ll be surprised - it’s larger and more workable than you’d expect on a 46-footer.

Power is from twin Caterpillar 3208TA diesels - 375hp each. They sit on either side with good walk-around clearance. In the middle is the generator - no sound shield, but the whole compartment is sound-insulated so noise levels are kept manageable.

Running gear is straightforward - shafts run straight outboard, seals in plain view, with steel cable steering running aft for a full manual system. Fuel tanks flank the space with a proper manifold system for control. Raw-water strainers are easy to get at - one each for the mains, generator, and air conditioning.

Support systems are neatly placed - hot water heater, fire extinguisher, battery chargers including newer Victron gear. Access to wiring and panels is direct - nothing feels buried.

Performance numbers are what you’d expect for a trawler-style Grand Banks. Cruising at 8 to 11 knots is comfortable and efficient. Push the throttles and she’ll top out around 18 knots. 

The appeal here is clear - it’s a lot of boat for the money. Grand Banks are known for solid hulls and long service lives, and this 1990 46 has the bones to back that up. The layout is unusual for the brand - aft cabin with cockpit plus a big boat deck - making it stand out from other GBs of the era.

But - there’s work ahead as exterior teak needs attention, varnish wants care, and the interior wood could be refinished or oiled depending on taste. Systems are mostly original - many still functioning - but expect to budget for upgrades in electronics, appliances, and possibly air con.  

For liveaboard use it ticks many boxes. The aft suite is private and breezy, the forward VIP has family space and its own head, and the galley has the cold storage and oven setup you need for proper provisioning. Add the built-in washer and dryer and you’re looking at a yacht that genuinely supports long stays aboard.

Fuel capacity is 600 US gallons (2,271L) - enough for solid coastal cruising or longer passages at lower trawler speeds. With the mast folded, bridge clearance is 15ft (4.57m) - that opens up the inland waterways and makes the Great Loop an option.

Operating costs will sit in the trawler category - moderate fuel burn at 8 to 11 knots, reasonable parts support for the Caterpillar 3208TAs, and accessible systems that help keep yard bills down if you’re hands-on. Dockage and insurance are in line with a 46-footer - nothing exotic or out of the ordinary.

Two credible alternatives to the Grand Banks 46 Classic include the Tiara F44, noted for its faster planing hull and extended 481-nautical-mile range, and the Palm Beach 42, known for its sleek semi-displacement hull and modern layout.

In short - it’s a project boat, but one that rewards the right owner. Someone who enjoys the process, has the patience to maintain wood, and appreciates the mix of trawler practicality with a hint of sailing nostalgia will get huge value here as a liveaboard.