GRAND BANKS YACHTS receives American Based Southern Boating Magazine 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards

Readers have voted, and the results are in for Southern Boating’s 5th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
Readers of the popular American based Southern Boating Magazine chose their preferences in 32 categories from favorite center console to power catamaran and favorite vacation destination to cruising itinerary. Navigation equipment, engines, safety products, and boat insurance companies are a sampling of what’s included in this year’s comprehensive awards. In some categories, first and second place were separated by only a few percentage points, but overall, there was a definite winner.

Nearly 60,000 votes were cast with Grand Banks Yachts, taking the top spot, winning the category for the Favorite trawler ahead of Nordhavn who came in second place and Outer Reef in third place. Grand Banks also received a runner-up award for the Favorite Motor Yacht in Southern Boating Magazine 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Winning these awards isn’t just about recognition; it’s about earning the endorsement of the people who live and breathe life on the water. And even when you’re almost 70-years-old, that recognition matters to us.

Receiving the recognition from the 50-year-old magazine’s loyal audience validates Grand Banks nearly 70-year commitment to long-range cruising, pioneering design, and exceptional on-water experiences. It is a cherished reminder that Grand Banks has earned the respect and loyalty of real boaters—owners and enthusiasts who understand quality, craftsmanship, and performance firsthand. Certainly a recognition of Grand Banks’ next-level performance and design.

WHAT OWNERS SAY ABOUT GRAND BANKS YACHTS

EASTBAY 44 OWNER

““We love our overnight trips. Recently we came down from Yamba to Sydney, about 300 nautical miles and, although we sat on 24 knots the whole way, we were only burning 100 litres (26 gallons) of fuel an hour!!! The EB44 is the best thing we’ve done for the family… we call it the ‘family wagon’”

MATT SPENCER, EASTBAY 44 OWNER

GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER AND 8 TIMES AMERICA’S CUP PRO SAILOR.

“This is my 4th Grand Banks and I’ve always liked them – they’re sea-kindly, fast and fuel efficient. But the stuff Mark Richards has done has made them even better. He’s raised the game and they’re now next generation in terms of design. My wife and I love cruising on it – each August we live onboard for 30-40 days. She feels very safe as it has a really nice ride. And we love the style and the lines.”

TOM WHIDDEN, GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER AND 8 TIMES AMERICA’S CUP PRO SAILOR.

GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER

“I was in Mexico when COVID hit and had to get home. I had an 1,100nm trip, uphill (upwind & up current) and, let me tell you, the boat did better than I did! I had to keep going day and night. Almost no boat of this size can go from Puerto Vallarta to San Diego non-stop. And thanks to the hull shape and lightweight carbon superstructure, it’s amazingly efficient.”

GARY WEISMAN, GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER

GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER

“The range of the boat had huge appeal. Because of the V-Warp® Technology hull that slips so easily through the water, the weight reduction of the carbon fibre and the new Volvo engines, we could simply go further with less stops. Of course, it saves money but the real plus is the convenience. At 10 knots I can travel for over 2000 nautical miles without refuelling. As a sailor, I don’t like to stop once I get going!”

JOHN BACON, GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER