The launch of the Eastbay 60 (EB60) is a protraction of the Wisconsin-based shipyard’s Downeast Style heritage series that is best known for their classic lines, exceptional seakeeping abilities, and refreshingly simple layout.
Grand Banks Eastbay line of cruisers are an assimilation of the elements that make up Maine Lobster boats in the early 90s, where back then, a highly seaworthy hull was preferred to tackle the fierce ocean waves of the North Atlantic with ease and comfort. And like its predecessors, the EB60 have adopted this legacy to feature the traditional Hunt hull shape, now imbued with V-Warp® technology to deliver a soft ride and maximum comfort on the waters.
Mark Richards, CEO of the GB Marine Group, led his team to build the EB60 following his construction philosophy of lighter, stronger, and better, all while sparing no expense to design a Hull platform that maximises the waterline length as it slices through waves. His philosophy further extends to exploiting carbon fibre throughout the EB60 to amplify the build strength of the cruiser while minimising its weight as much as possible.
“We spent a lot of hours discussing what would it take to create the most advanced, most luxurious, Eastbay available,” said Richards. “Looking back, employing our hull platform, which focuses on efficiency, maximum comfort, and a soft ride now seems like a no-brainer.”
“Big waves coming off the stern mean energy is being wasted,” he further comments. “On the Eastbay 60 and our other models, we spend a tremendous amount of time focusing on achieving one of the best rides out there – soft, nimble, and responsive.”
Visually, the EB60 is a nod to the vintage design of a large open cockpit flowing into the helm deck and pilot house often seen in Downeast Boats. The simple layout provides for a vast lounging and entertainment area on the interior of the upper-deck galley, with the appointed saloon furnished luxuriously with a L-shaped settee which surrounds a handcrafted table. The electric window at the aft bulkhead can be lowered to connect the galley pass to the cockpit to allow for the fresh ocean breeze to bask the saloon.
The attention to pampered comfort transverses into the lower galley, harbouring three staterooms and two heads. To port, the master stateroom serves as a reminder that this is truly the largest Easybay built today. The walkaround king berth is flanked by an en suite head and a large walk-in locker with plenty of drawer storage for a weekend coastal adventure. Beyond the owner’s suite is the VIP cabin forward, proffering its guests with a congenial space bathed in natural light and fresh airflow all throughout.
Now, the high-performance hull form and vintage romantic-style deck details of downeast boats are not the only thing they are appreciated for. This style of efficient cruisers are acclaimed for their fuel economy all while boasting the capacity to deliver next-level performance at sea. And the EB60 is no exception.
As standard, the 900-hp Volvo Penta IPS 1200s sea trials reveal a 27 knot cruising speed with a top speed of 33 knots, and the upgraded 1000-hp Volvo Penta IPS 1350s churns out a cruising speed of 30 knots with a projected top speed of 38 knots. The expected total fuel burn rate is 41 gph (155.2 litres per hour) at 21 knots to deliver an impressive 800 nautical mile range.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Eastbay heritage and pedigree,” said Richards. “So to introduce anything less than revolutionary to this market was simply not an option. This brand has always attracted serious yachtsmen and I’m confident they won’t be disappointed when they sea-trial the EB60.”
