Grand Banks 42 Classic
Built 1975–2005 by Grand Banks Yachts
About the Grand Banks 42 Classic
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1975–2005
- Builder
- Grand Banks Yachts
- Designer
- Ken Smith
- Length
- 42.58 ft
- Waterline
- 41.08 ft
- Beam
- 13.58 ft
- Draft
- 4.17 ft
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- semi-displacement
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 600 gal
- Holding
- 50 gal
- Bow thruster
- common retrofit
- Steering
- mechanical
Sources disagree on displacement, water tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Wood until 1973 (fiberglass from hull 353); the Classic name/fiberglass model is dated 1975-2005 by the builder. Hull lengthened and widened about 1991-92 from hull #1203 (to 43.25 ft LOA, 14.08 ft beam). A single engine was standard but most buyers chose twins. The 1,555 hulls figure (Oxford Yacht Agency) covers all 42 variants, including wood boats, Europa and Motor Yacht, so hulls_built for the Classic alone is left blank. Single-engine boats benefit from a thruster because the long keel turns poorly.
Known problems for this model
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Screw-fastened teak over plywood-cored deck deck
The deck is fiberglass over plywood with a screwed teak overlay; as bedding and fasteners loosen, water rots the core. Major deck repair can run well into five figures if neglected.denisonyachtsales.com
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Corroding steel fuel tanks fuel
The two steel tanks outboard of the engines can corrode badly; replacement is expensive, so keep them dry and isolated from wood supports.denisonyachtsales.com
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Osmotic blistering hull
Older hulls without a barrier coat often show blisters, worse in warm water; a surveyor reports them as rarely structural but costly to repair and a hit to resale.denisonyachtsales.com
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Sliding window leaks deck
Sliding cabin windows leak unless tracks and drains are cleaned and maintained each year.denisonyachtsales.com
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Moisture-damaged engine room insulation other
Until about 1991 the engine room was lined with commercial acoustic tiles that do not tolerate moisture well and are often degraded.denisonyachtsales.com
Engines & parts
Ford Lehman 120 (6D380 / 2715E) parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Ford Lehman 120”
Marinized by Lehman from the Ford of England 'Dorset' 2715E six-cylinder (380 cu in) industrial/truck diesel; Ford built the Dorset base engines 1964–1984. Base-engine internals interchange with the Ford 2715E, and marine-specific parts (raw water pumps, heat exchangers, injection elbows, gaskets, lift pumps, air filters) are widely stocked. American Diesel Corp (founded by former Lehman people) still sells parts, publishes spare-parts lists and gives technical advice. Rebuilt and used 120s are also sold by salvage yards.
Parts sources: American Diesel Corp, Go2marine (Ford Lehman parts collection), Fred Warner Marine & Outdoors
Common problems (2)
-
Chronic oil leaks engine
Most 120s weep oil somewhere; owners often trace it to the rear of the engine near the heat exchanger (head/head gasket area) or to the drive seals of the gear-driven injection pump. Moderate oil use is treated as normal on these engines.trawlerforum.com · marineengine.com
-
Fuel leaks at injection pump, lift pump and return lines fuel
Slow diesel drips usually come from loose bleed screws or banjo washers, perished rubber injector return hoses, a failing lift-pump diaphragm, or worn internal seals in the Simms or CAV injection pump, which needs a pump shop to overhaul.yescenters.com
Ford Lehman 135 / SP135 (2725E) parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Ford Lehman 135”
Based on the later Ford 'Dover' 2725E 6.2 L naturally aspirated six (Ford built the Dover series 1982–1994, then Otosan/Dovertech to 2005). Parts are sold by the same Lehman specialists as the 120; American Diesel lists spare-parts sheets and Go2marine stocks cooling parts, heat exchangers and elbows for the 135. Do not assume 120 (2715E) and 135 (2725E) internals interchange.
Parts sources: American Diesel Corp, Go2marine (Ford Lehman parts collection)
Caterpillar 3208 (NA / T / TA) parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Caterpillar 3208 (210 hp)”
V8 introduced in the 1970s and discontinued in the late 1990s (Big Bear Engine gives 1999). Naturally aspirated versions run about 210 hp; turbo and turbo-aftercooled versions go up to 435 hp. Cat dealers still supply many genuine parts by serial number, and aftermarket in-frame/overhaul kits (pistons, rings, liners, bearings) are sold by Diesel Pro Power, Highway and Heavy Parts and others; complete remanufactured long blocks are also sold. The block is unsleeved from the factory but can be bored and sleeved during a rebuild.
Parts sources: Diesel Pro Power, Highway and Heavy Parts (Cat 3208), Big Bear Engine Company (3208 long blocks)
Common problems (3)
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Aftercooler failure flooding the engine (TA models) cooling
The seawater-cooled aftercooler on turbo-aftercooled 3208s has aluminum parts that corrode; a failure can let seawater into the cylinders. Owners pull, clean, grease and pressure-test aftercoolers every 2–3 years and some replace them on a fixed schedule.trawlerforum.com · forums.ybw.com
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Short life at high ratings / overloading engine
The higher-rated 3208TA engines last longer when run well below full power and propped so they can reach rated rpm; overheating or running at full load continuously shortens life.trawlerforum.com · trawlerforum.com
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Overheating at high throttle cooling
Common causes owners check are clogged heat exchangers, thermostats, fouled keel coolers or restricted raw water flow, and faulty temperature senders.justanswer.com · facebook.com
Sources disagree on horsepower — left blank rather than guessed.
Model sources (4)
hmy.com · denisonyachtsales.com · oxfordyachtagency.com · grandbanks.com
Other Grand Banks models
- Grand Banks 32 Sedan
- Grand Banks 36 Classic 1964–2004
- Grand Banks 46 Classic 1987–2004
- Grand Banks 49 Classic 1980–1999
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.