Grand Banks 42, LAZAWAY

Broker’s Comments

Since her birth, the Grand Banks 42 has led the way as the ideal choice for the cruising motor yachtie – with a famously sea kindly hull derived from the sword-fishers off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland; sensationally cool looks (she just looks right, doesn’t she?) and an interior that’s a million miles away from a working trawler in some ways, yet in others works just as effectively.

LAZAWAY is the ultimate evolution of the 42 – the Motor Yacht. The MY pushes her ample posterior right out to the gunwale, resulting in the best aft cabin available in any 42-foot yacht (with separate shower – naturally – separate heads compartment, exceptional storage, lighting, and ventilation – and it can be entirely closed off for privacy). The interior is simply beautiful, and her satin-varnished teak has withstood the passage of time incredibly well – with block parquet flooring, pin holed headliners, proper door furniture, and masses of head and elbowroom throughout.

The main saloon deck is practicality personified – with a cosy aft lounge set around a large table (with a bottle rack crafted beneath its leaves) – facing a hard-mounted TV – and a complete panorama of glazing around the saloon ensures nobody misses out on the views. With a bar, bookshelves aplenty, excellent lighting, and the option to heat or cool, this great room truly lives up to its name. Side-deck access is available aft to port and forward to starboard (right by the helm, in fact), and with a fully fitted, commodious galley neatly set to port, her crew can stay involved even when washing up under way calls. No queasiness on this vessel…

Up forward, the cabins and heads/shower can again be entirely isolated – ideal if you are after a bit of quiet, or if two cruising couples are heading out for an offshore adventure. The twin guest cabin to port lies behind a neat sliding pocket door and has its own wardrobe (cedar-lined, with automatic lighting of course), full-length mirror, and air-conditioning. Over the central corridor sits the forward heads, with a separate aft shower stall (with teak grating, and a proper thermostatic shower), and a switchable marine WC (currently set to manual). As we head forwards into the bows, a further door accesses the forward cabin, with a vast V-berth, access to the anchor locker, more storage, and, of course, masses of headroom thanks to its clever positioning directly beneath the upstand of the foredeck.

Engine access is, of course, class-leading – with a neat badge to remind you that you are entering the beating heart of Malaysia’s finest motor yacht builders: American Marine. Standing between the brace of white Cat 3116s, looking aft to the massive Onan generator set, one knows one is in a “proper” boat. Service dates are labelled on each filter; sight-glasses are mounted to each fuel tank; there is not a hint of oil around her capacious bilge; and the wiring to her forward bulkhead is neatly clipped, labelled, and entirely professional – simple to trace and a pleasure to inspect.

And on deck? Well – let us just say you will not be disappointed. Massive swept teak clads her GRP decking; solid bulwarks are topped by over-gauge stainless rails polished to within an inch of their life; and everything is shipshape and Bristol fashion. Easy steps lead up to her elevated aft deck – with simple access to her bathing platform and/or the dock – and a gentle stair ascends to the flybridge deck, which is simply gargantuan, set forward of her mast (with steadying sail and working lights). There are both seating areas aft and twin back-to-back bench seats forward to port and starboard. A full-beam locker allows direct access to wiring for the helm and upper navigation suite, but it is also a handy space for barbecues, deck brushes, and anything else useful that will fit through those big sliding doors.

In short – she is simply fantastic. I apologise in advance for the GoPro video battery expiring – it was tired of hearing me droning on – but you will not be disappointed: LAZAWAY is a truly great one.

Owner’s Comments

Over the relatively short period that we have been the proud custodians of Lazaway we have endeavoured to restore and then maintain her former glory. After completion of most of the restoration work in Plymouth, we enjoyed bringing her to her current home. We have since cruised extensively over the west coast of Scotland and also completed a long time ambition of a full circumnavigation of Ireland.

At all times Lazaway has looked after us well and we have thoroughly enjoyed the spacious and comfortable accommodation. The flybridge size and layout have been particularly appreciated both while travelling and alongside.