Grand Banks 46 Classic
Built 1987–2004 by Grand Banks Yachts
About the Grand Banks 46 Classic
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1987–2004
- Builder
- Grand Banks Yachts
- Length
- 47.08 ft
- Waterline
- 44.83 ft
- Beam
- 14.75 ft
- Draft
- 4.42 ft
- Displacement
- 42,960 lb
- Hull / keel
- semi-displacement
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water
- 300 gal
- Holding
- 80 gal
Sources disagree on fuel tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Three-stateroom layout standard, two-stateroom galley-down optional. Deckhouse tooling changed at hull #43 (1988) for wider aft side decks. Teak walkaround decks. Engine choices include twin Cat or Cummins; a listed 1990 boat carries twin Cat 3208TA 375 hp.
Known problems for this model
-
Cramped engine room with 3208TA V8s engine
Owners say twin Cat 3208TA installations leave the engine space tight for routine service; check access before buying.trawlerforum.com
-
Steep fuel burn above displacement speed fuel
Owner figures show roughly 10 gph near 10 knots but over 40 gph at 15-16 knots with 3208TAs, so range depends heavily on cruising speed.trawlerforum.com
-
Wet ride and roll offshore hull
The fine, unflared bow throws spray and the boat moves a lot at trawler speeds; owners recommend stabilizers for open-water work.trawlerforum.com
Engines & parts
Caterpillar 3208 (NA / T / TA) parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Caterpillar 3208TA”
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)
-
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
-
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 · yachtworld.com · trawlerforum.com · grandbanks.com
Other Grand Banks models
- Grand Banks 32 Sedan
- Grand Banks 36 Classic 1964–2004
- Grand Banks 42 Classic 1975–2005
- Grand Banks 49 Classic 1980–1999
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.