Grand Banks 46 Classic

Built 1987–2004 by Grand Banks Yachts

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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.

Illustration of a Grand Banks 46 Classic — **Illustration, not a photo of this model.** AI-generated illustration of a typical twin-engine flybridge trawler.

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
Water heater: AC + engine

Tank capacities — where the figures come from

Fuel unknown
“Fuel capacity 630 Gallons” — spec database (1985-2007), yachtbuyer.com · “630 gallons of fuel” — search excerpt (1988), novesea.com · “Fuel: 600 US Gallons” — spec database, oxfordyachtagency.com

Unresolved: the HMY powerboat guide, YachtBuyer and a 1988 listing say 630 gal; the Grand Banks dealer Oxford Yacht Agency and a 1990 listing say 600. Most sources lean to 630, but no builder document could be checked to settle it.
Water 300 gal
YachtBuyer and a 1988 listing say 300 gal; Oxford Yacht Agency says 290. Nothing from the builder.
Holding unknown
“Black water capacity 80 Gallons” — spec database, yachtbuyer.com · “Holding: 50 + US Gallons” — spec database, oxfordyachtagency.com · “50 gallons of holding capacity” — search excerpt (1988), novesea.com

Spec databases (the HMY powerboat guide and YachtBuyer) say 80 gal; the Grand Banks dealer's page says 50-plus and a 1988 boat has 50. That may reflect a change in later years or an optional larger tank; unresolved.
Water heater AC + engine
“The hot water heater is a 20-gallon tank, heated when connected to shore power from the AC Power Panel or from engine he” — broker listing, anacortesyachtcharters.com · “New Raritan 20-gallon water heater installed (2020)” — broker listing (1988 boat, 2020 replacement), breweryacht.com

Two individual boats show a 20 gal heater: one in a charter company's operating manual for its Grand Banks 46 Classic, and a 2020 Raritan replacement on a 1988 boat. Neither is builder data; the charter boat's heater runs on shore power and an engine heat exchanger.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from

Bow thruster unknown
The builder's 1990 catalogue page and the BoatUS review (via Denison) are silent; one charter operations manual for a Grand Banks 46 Classic tells skippers to dock using the gearshifts and mentions no thruster, but it covers a single boat.
Steering unknown
No builder, association or review source describing the steering system was found.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Sources disagree on fuel tank, holding 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.

Engines fitted

Caterpillar 3208NA (3208N) — 210 hp, diesel, twin standard
Naturally aspirated 210 hp version; HMY/BoatUS notes cite twin 210 hp diesels as the base performance figure. A 1996 hull listed with original-type 3208N 210 hp engines.

Sources: essexyachtsales.com · hmy.com
Cummins 6BT5.9M — diesel, twin factory option
HMY says the 46 was built with twin Cat or Cummins diesels; a 1989 hull (Maximon) is listed with twin Cummins 6BT5.9M, no repower mentioned. Listing does not state hp.

Sources: denisonyachtsales.com · hmy.com
Caterpillar 3208TA — 375 hp, diesel, twin factory option
Turbo-aftercooled upgrade; a 1990 hull and a charter-fleet 46 Classic both list twin 375 hp 3208TAs.

Sources: devalk.nl · nwexplorations.com
Caterpillar 3208TA (435 hp rating) — 435 hp, diesel, twin factory option
Higher-rated 3208 turbo; a 2000 hull is listed with twin 435 hp 3208s described by the broker as the preferred engines.

Sources: preowned.grandbanks.com
John Deere 6081 AFM (8.1L) — 375 hp, diesel, twin factory option
Seen on a 2001 hull with about 4,450 hours; the listing does not say factory vs repower, so treat as a late-production option pending a second source.

Sources: grandyachts.com

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

Boats seen carry generators (a Northern Lights 9 kW installed in 2020 on a 1988 boat; the charter boat's unit not specified), but no builder, review or association source says how they were supplied. A review of the Grand Banks 46 Europa, a different model, describes a 16 kW Northern Lights and an 18 gal Seaward heater.

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 standard engine — you entered “Caterpillar 3208NA (3208N)”

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
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

Maker’s service schedule (20)

Engine oil & filter change	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Engine Oil and Filter - Change” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Fuel filters & water separator	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Fuel System Primary Filter/Water Separator Element” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Raw-water pump impeller	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Auxiliary Water Pump - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Engine pencil zincs	50 hrs	“Every 1900 L (500 US gal) of Fuel or 50 Service Hours ... Zinc Rods - Inspect/Replace” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Air filter / intake silencer	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Engine Air Cleaner Element - Clean/Replace” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Valve clearance check / adjust	2,000 hrs	“Initial 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or 1 Year ... Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/Adjust” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Cat DEAC / conventional coolant	1,000 hrs or 2 yrs	“Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Cooling System Coolant (DEAC) - Change” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test Cat ELC (extended life coolant)	6,000 hrs or 4 yrs	“Every 216 000 L (57 000 US gal) of Fuel or 6000 Service Hours or 4 Years ... Cooling System Coolant (ELC) - Change” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Turbocharger inspection	1,000 hrs or 2 yrs	“Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Aftercooler Core - Clean/Test” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Turbocharger inspect	2,000 hrs	“Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Turbocharger - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning	2,000 hrs	“Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Heat Exchanger - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Injector test / service	2,000 hrs	“Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Fuel Injection Nozzles - Test/Exchange” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Sea water strainer clean/inspect	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Sea Water Strainer - Clean/Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant SCA test/add	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Cooling System Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Hoses and clamps inspect/replace	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Hoses and Clamps - Inspect/Replace” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Crankcase breather clean	250 hrs or 1 yr	“Every 9000 L (2400 US gal) of Fuel or 250 Service Hours or Yearly ... Engine Crankcase Breather - Clean” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Thermostat (water temperature regulator) replace	1,000 hrs or 2 yrs	“Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Cooling System Water Temperature Regulator - R” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Marine transmission oil cooler clean/inspect	1,000 hrs or 2 yrs	“Every 36 000 L (9000 US gal) of Fuel or 1000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Marine Transmission Oil Cooler - Clean/Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Crankshaft vibration damper inspect	2,000 hrs	“Every 72 000 L (19 000 US gal) of Fuel or 2000 Service Hours ... Crankshaft Vibration Damper - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Jacket water pump inspect	3,000 hrs or 2 yrs	“Every 108 000 L (28 500 US gal) of Fuel or 3000 Service Hours or 2 Years ... Water Pump - Inspect” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se

Service part numbers (4)

Fuel filter	Caterpillar 1R-0750	“\| Fuel Filter \| 1R0750 \|” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Fuel Filter for Caterpillar 3208 Natural and Turbo engines 1R0750 Advanced Efficiency” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Zinc / anode heat-exchanger anode (10 mm); 2 on the 4W-9164 heat exchanger, 3 on the 7C-3114 heat exchanger	Caterpillar 6L-2283	“\| Anodes on 7C-3114 Heat Exchanger \| 6L-2283 \| [CM6L2283] x 3.” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Zinc Anode for Caterpillar Marine Engines 6L2283 NPT: 1/4”” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Zinc / anode 16 mm anode, starboard bottom of bonnet, 4W-9164 heat exchanger only	Caterpillar 6L-2289	“Anodes on 4W-9164 Heat Exchanger \| 6L-2283 6L-2289 ... [TEC 02023] x 1. Starboard Side, bottom of the bonnet. 16mm” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Zinc Anode for Caterpillar Marine Engines 6L2289 NPT: 1/2”” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Zinc / anode transmission oil cooler anode (if the cooler has one)	Caterpillar 6L-2288	“\| Anode - Transmission Oil Cooler (If present on cooler) \| 6L-2288 \|” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Zinc Anode for Caterpillar Marine Engines 6L2288 NPT: 1/2”” — dealer, dieselpro.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Sources disagree on horsepower — left blank rather than guessed.

Cummins 6BT / 6BTA 5.9 parts: good

Factory optional engine — you entered “Cummins 6BT5.9M”

Mechanically injected 5.9 L inline six from the Cummins B-series truck/industrial family, so base-engine parts are everywhere. Cummins still sells factory ReCon (remanufactured) marine 6BT/6BTA engines (152–210 hp ratings) with a 2-year/2000-hour warranty. Seaboard Marine is the best-known marine specialist, selling aftercooler/heat-exchanger service kits, upgraded raw water pumps and technical guidance; TAD also sells Cummins packages.

Parts sources: Seaboard Marine, Cummins (ReCon 6BT/6BTA), Diesel Pro Power

Common problems (2)

Aftercooler corrosion letting seawater into the intake cooling
On the turbo-aftercooled 6BTA the seawater-cooled aftercooler core has vertical tubes and an aluminum housing that corrodes from condensate; a leak can put salt water into the cylinders and wreck the engine. Owners pull, clean, grease and pressure-test the core every few years and fit new O-rings.
trawlerforum.com · sbmar.com
Heat exchanger and aftercooler service cooling
Routine seawater-side service (O-rings, gaskets, zincs) is a recurring owner job; kits are sold for it and refilling coolant without trapping air is a common question.
sbmar.com · sbmar.com

Service part numbers (5)

Oil filter	Cummins 3937743	“\| Oil Filter \| 3937743 \|” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Oil Filter 3937743 Spin-on type, 3.66" outside diameter, 6.95" height” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Fuel filter 6BT 5.9 210 hp (CPL 742)	Fleetguard FF5052 Replaces FF42000, FS1251	“on-engine fuel filter with drain for all 6BT 210 B’s (CPL 742). Replaces the FF42000, FS1251.” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BT Fuel Filter 3931063 FF5052” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au
Fuel filter late 6BTA (also late 4BTA and 6CTA)	Fleetguard FF5285	“Fleetguard FF5285 Fuel Filter – late 4BTA 6BTA and 6CTA’s” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BTA Fuel Filter 3890017 FF5285 ... suits late model Cummins 6BTA's, 6CTA8.3-M” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au
Raw-water impeller seawater pump with 1-1/4 in hose ports (Sherwood M70/M71 type, early 4BT/6BT)	Sherwood 10615K	“Seawater Pump Impeller \| 1-1/4" PORTS 3908220 10615K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Marine Water Pump Impeller 10615K 2 9/16" diameter, 1 5/8" length” — dealer, dieselpro.com
Raw-water impeller keyway-shaft pump, 2 in inlet / 1-3/4 in outlet, 11° offset flange (e.g. P1716/P1730 on 6BTA)	Sherwood 17000K	“2" inlet & 1-3/4" outlet ports with 11° OFFSET flange 17000K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Impeller for Key Shaft 17000K” — dealer, dieselpro.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Model sources (14)

hmy.com · yachtworld.com · trawlerforum.com · grandbanks.com · essexyachtsales.com · denisonyachtsales.com · devalk.nl · nwexplorations.com · preowned.grandbanks.com · grandyachts.com · yachtbuyer.com · oxfordyachtagency.com · anacortesyachtcharters.com · breweryacht.com

Other Grand Banks models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.