01Overview

The 1987 Grand Banks 32 is without a doubt a classic, high-quality trawler prized for its traditional design and seaworthy hull design. She has a single diesel engine for efficient cruising, a spacious flybridge, and beautiful teak interior, making it a perfect pocket cruiser.

02Highlights

Reverse Cycle Heat Pump
Generator
Bow Thruster
Flybridge
Full Complement of Electronics

03Specifications

Length32′ LOA

Beam11′

Draft3′ 9"

Year1987

TypePower

HullFiberglass

FuelDiesel

Cabins1

Sleeps4

Heads1

Cruise speed8 Knots

Max speed10 Knots

Fuel capacity250 gal

Water capacity120 gal

04Description

The term "Classic" doesn't begin to describe this yacht. The 1987 Grand Banks 32 Trawler is the smallest and without question the most manageable model in the legendary Grand Banks lineup. She would have to be one of the best if not the best small trawler for a cruising couple. She was built by American Marine with a heavy, solid fiberglass hull, the 32 had a 30-year production run (1965-1995). When dreaming of a traditional trawler and looking for a well balanced design that is aesthetically pleasing, look no further. Through the years they have maintained a good resale for the owner and yet budget friendly for the buyer.

This is a boat that when heading home, half way down the dock you turn around and can say to yourself "That's My Yacht"

BRIEF HISTORY

Ken Smith designed this traditional semi-displacement, single-screw trawler which may be the original "Pocket Trawler" before the class was named. The boats were originally built in Hong Kong and constructed of wood. Then in 1973 production was moved to Singapore and built with solid fiberglass hulls from 1974 until 1996 by American Marine.

What the Grand Banks 32 is known for

Ford Lehman engine reputation is strong in owner communities — a slow- turning, naturally-aspirated diesel that rewards basic maintenance with long service life. Parts are specialty-sourced but the support network, through independents such as American Diesel, is strong.
Classic teak and fibreglass aesthetic look as well as a strong owner community. Used-market price retention is excellent for the class.
Full-length protective keel guards the running gear during groundings (a real safety feature and advantage for shoal-water cruising grounds (Great Loop, ICW, Bahamas, Gulf Islands).
Grand Banks Yachts is still in production (not the 32), and a real independent support network exists for these boats — American Diesel for Lehman parts, and specialist trawler yards.

WALK-THROUGH

We will start this off by saying "if you don't walk up to this boat with a smile thinking this could be the yacht of your dreams", don't read any further, just walk away because this isn't the right boat for you. But if you do then you would be hard pressed to find a nicer one on the market today.

At first glance you realize that this is a yacht that was both designed with a purpose and style. Her flybridge is well proportioned to the over boat and overall hull lines show a boat that will shed water well when underway. As you step aboard you are greeted by the traditional bronze "Grand Banks" step plate as well as a none traditional upper perimeter hand rail is all stainless steel rather that wood. As you make your way forward you will note the high bulwarks which increase in height as you reach the bow and wide and uncluttered side decks providing a comfortable feel when underway. Back in the cockpit you have both high gunwales and an aft deck bimini provide for a cozy seating area for watching the sun set. This yacht also comes with the "original" folding teak chairs and table as well as a custom transom mounted teak table. The stainless railing has a stern boarding gate to access the beautiful grated teak swim platform with Weaver Davits for the dingy.

From here flybridge access is provided by a teak ladder and opening panel in the bimini. Once in the flybridge your 360 degree view is spectacular. At the helm you have full instrumentation, engine controls, thruster and windlass controls as well as full view of the foredeck making docking or picking a mooring up an easy task. There is room to easily seat 6 adults with storage, a full bimini and matching lower sunbrella panels. At the aft end of the bridge area is a functional mast with boom which is hinged for bridge clearance.

Before going any further,

there is one thing to keep in mind as you walk through, that is look closely at the details, craftsmanship and quality of materials that have gone into the overall construction. From the teak parkette flooring that you are walking on through-out, the teak cabinetry and bulkheads to the beautiful acoustic ceiling. This is without question a step above the rest that you will see.

Back in the cockpit you now enter the salon / pilot house through a wide teak door. This area is quite large and bright with great visibility in all directions. This is a galley-up layout which combines the galley, salon and helm all in the same space yet separating the usage. As you enter there is a long straight settee to port which slide out to create a double berth when needed and a long L-shaped settee on starboard with storage beneath both and a beautiful custom drop leaf table between with a hidden draw at the forward end and top storage that reverses to become a glass holder for two. At the forward end of the starboard settee is a tall end table with draws that separates the salon from the helm.

The helm has a wide helm seat and a beautiful six spoke teak wheel, navigation instruments which includes autopilot, radar, chart plotter, compass, VHF, bow thruster and windlass controls, and a full set of analog engine instruments. On the inboard end is a cleverly designed 4 glass holder with a drop leaf shelf and more storage below. All electric panels for both shore power, generator controls and 12 volt are also located on the inboard side of the panel as well providing easy access from all areas of the boat.

The galley is located to port. It is compact but well thought out, there is plenty of natural light and storage. For food prep there is a flip down cover over the stove and a deep single bowl sink. The refrigerator is below the counter and is front load, for cooking there is a 3 burner stove with oven and a heat shield on the underside of the the stove top cover. At the aft end of the counter is a full height cabinet providing more dry food storage.

Down three steps and to starboard is the head. This space is the only spot on the boat that is not wall to wall teak, it is a wet head with a full teak floor grate for drainage and all bulkheads and cabinets are covered in a white Formica like material and molded white fiberglass. for easy maintenance and to brighten this area, however is trimmed with teak for the nautical feel. There is a marine head, wall mounted shower, storage above and below the counter and an opening port for light and ventilation.

Last is the stateroom, located forward of the head it features a large V-berth with draws below providing for easy access. There are two large hanging lockers, an over head hatch providing both natural light and ventilation. This entire area can be closed off to the salon by a sliding door that provides privacy and incorporates the head to this cabin.

NEWLY ADDED OR UPGRADED EQUIPMENT

NEW 2026 - Water Heater
NEW 2026 - VHF Antennas
NEW 2026 - Plexiglas Windshields on Flybridge
NEW 2026 - Shower Head and Piping
NEW 2026 - Shower Pump Float
NEW 2026 - Head Rebuilt (by Groco Corp)
NEW 2026 - Exterior and Interior Window Molding Painted
NEW 2025 - Bronze Prop (Reconditioned and Balanced)
NEW 2025 - Flybridge Custom Cushions (Sunbrella, Blue)
NEW 2025 - NEWLY REPAIRED/ REFINISHED - Swim Platform
NEW 2025 - Bilge Pump
NEW 2025 - Batteries (2)
NEW 2024 - Air Conditioning Unit (Reverse Cycle Heat Pump)
NEW 2024 - Battery Chargers (2) Zantrax TrueCharge 2 - 40 Amp each
NEW 2024 - Battery Heat Sensor
NEW 2024 - Battery Charging Monitor Installed
NEW 2023 - Swim Ladder (Stainless Steel Retractable Under Swim Platform)
NEW 2023 - Dingy (Newport 8'-10")
NEW 2023 - Outboard Motor (Honda BF-5D)
NEW 2023 - Weaver Davit System and Support Arm
NEW 2023 - Weaver Leever (Tilting Outboard Motor Bracket on Dingy)
NEW 2021 - Complete Bottom Restoration (Media Blasted, Peeled, New Layers of Fiberglas, Undercoat, Topcoat and Painted)
NEW 2021 - Thru Hulls with Coosa Board Backing and Seacocks
NEW 2021 - Datamarine Depth Sounder Transducers
Refurbished 2021 - Datamarine Depth Gauges)
NEW 2021 - Batteries
NEW 2021 - Repacked Stuffing Box
NEW 2021 - Magna Propane Grill and Cover
NEW 2020 - Canvas (Lower Deck Bimini -- Sunbrella, Blue)
NEW 2020 - Canvas (Fly Bridge Bimini -- Sunbrella, Blue)
NEW 2020 - Canvas (Fly Bridge Canvas -- Sunbrella, Blue)
REPLACED Date unknown - (2) Stainless Steel Fuel Tanks

HEADROOM BY AREA

Main Salon: 6' 5" (1.95m in some metric listings)
Forward Stateroom (V-berth): ~6' 0"
Head / Bathroom: ~6' 1"

BRIDGE CLEARANCE

Flybridge Windscreen (Fixed high point): 11 feet 6 inches
Bimini Top: 14 feet 1 inch
Top of the Mast: 19 feet 2 inches

ENGINE

The Grand Banks 32 was designed to be as she is a semi-displacement single-screw trawler that cruises at 7-8 knots that was her intent to be efficient with a max speed of 11 knots. Her engine is a single "Ford Lehmann" 135 Hp. With a range of roughly 675 nautical miles having (2) 125 gallon tanks (these have been replaced with stainless steel tanks).