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Malaysia ex Machina

• By Kevin Koenig
• Updated: April 27, 2017

Johor Bahru, Malaysia, home of the Grand Banks Yachts factory, is quite literally on the other side of the world from large swaths of America. The time difference between there and the U.S. East Coast is a bracing 13 hours. Undomesticated dogs that resemble coyotes trot treacherously close to highways buzzing with motorbike traffic, each bike in some wild state of disrepair. Just a single degree north of the equator, the city gets baptized by the heavens every day at 4 p.m. during the rainy season. It’s a good time to be indoors. And it’s a particularly good time to be indoors in the Grand Banks ­factory, where visitors are transported from one world back into a whole other one that is clean, modern and tech-forward — all the way through the looking glass, or perhaps in this case, the handlaid fiberglass.

The Ground Floor

The overriding theme among the workers on the Grand Banks factory floor is pride in their skills and happiness with their jobs. There’s a ­surprising amount of longevity in the careers here. The ­woman in the photograph at right is Lily Arabian Bte ­Palalwee. She has been with the company for 22 years, mostly doing paint and varnish work.

She says her favorite part of the job is the people she works with.

“I’m happy here, and my co-workers are happy too,” she says. “There is no tension on the floor. When I ­started here, I was 17 and single. Now I am married and have three children — 11,13 and 17. I don’t know if I could have done that without this job. Also, sometimes they take us out on the boats when they are finished, and this gives me a great feeling of pride in my job.”

After some back-and-forth with a translator, I was able to ascertain that the man in the photograph at left has been with Grand Banks for 20 years, doing mostly varnishing. He clearly took a lot of pride in his work. And his distinct hat keeps things colorful and illustrates the general feeling of bonhomie among the local working class. My translator ran out of English, and my Malay admittedly needs some brushing up, so I couldn’t quite get the backstory on the hat, even though I wanted to learn more. But it didn’t matter. This was a happy, focused man ­fully invested in his work. That much was obvious.

SPOKES ON THE WHEEL

Grand Banks is a much-hallowed builder with a, dare we say, grand tradition. But that doesn’t mean the company isn’t forward-thinking. That attitude was cemented when Grand Banks bought Australia’s Palm Beach Motor Yachts in 2014, in a well-founded effort to round out its product offerings. Now both Palm Beach and Grand Banks yachts, as well as the company’s Eastbay line, are all built in the same facility in Johor Bahru.

Middle of Everything

Grand Banks takes great care to make sure its manual laborers are overseen by highly knowledgeable boatbuilders, many with pedigrees that include long stints at some of the Western world’s top yards. The (mostly) men work closely with the locals to ensure build quality.

One such overseer is David Oliver Smith (at left in the photograph top right), a 54-year-old Irishman who’s been building yachts for 36 years, many of them with Sunseeker. “I train these guys personally,” he says. “You’ve got to get them to the point where you can trust them with their tasks, and I’ve gotten to that point. I trust them. I’m learning their language, and that’s a little gesture, but it goes such a long way in developing trust among co-workers.”

Smith has bounced around the world building boats, and his wife and two daughters live in Australia. So how’d he wind up so far from home, in Malaysia? The Irishman lets a wry grin spread across his face: “Just drinking in the wrong bars, I guess!”

The Tom Berenger look-alike in the photograph at right is Angus Macneil, another supervisor, who hails from New Zealand and has 20-plus years of boatbuilding experience. He echoes Smith’s take on the workforce. “The Malaysians are wonderful people,” he says. “They have the best attitudes, and they’ll do anything for you. The boats we build here are beautiful, and having a workforce like this is a big reason why. And once we get going and things really ratchet up, we’re only going to get better.”

The Grand Banks 60 is at the forefront of the company’s push in a new direction. The yacht, with classic lines, will actually be 65 feet length overall and have a 19-foot-2-inch beam, while drawing 3 feet 6 inches. Among many notable traits, the 60 will have a cruise speed of 32 knots, a top-end of 37 knots, loads of carbon fiber above the sheer line and Express Joystick Systems at three control stations. This is the boat Grand Banks is betting on to forge a bright future.

The Hand That Rocks the Boat

Grand Banks is nothing if not a top-down ­company. When you’re building yachts in a country that doesn’t have a traditionally strong yacht-building culture, you have to import that culture. And when Grand Banks acquired Palm Beach, it did just that. The culture-setting all starts with Mark Richards. At about 6-foot-4 with pale blue eyes and a ­specifically Aussie machismo, Richards is a force of nature with a boating pedigree that humbles most. The eight-time Rolex Sydney Hobart champion knows as much about boats, and boatbuilding, as anyone in the industry. And he’s not the type of CEO who spends all his time out on the golf course slapping backs and making deals.

Richards is often in the factory, greeting all the workers by name and staying on top of details.

“Within a half-hour of seeing this factory, I knew we could make it work,” he says. “It’s a big pool, but I jumped into the deep end and started swimming. We’re changing the culture here. We’re all about precision. We’ve got an eight-axis router coming in. People may have questions about building boats in Malaysia, but I believe that you can teach anyone to do anything. And I think these new boats we’re building are proving that.”

Richards’ right-hand man, Hank Compton, agrees. “I think the technical quality of these boats, particularly the Grand Banks 60, is really going to impress people,” he says. ­“Everything above the sheer line is carbon fiber. Just think about how that translates into fuel efficiency, not to mention center of gravity. It’s highly technical stuff. The people that work here are clearly proud of what they’re accomplishing, and that’s no accident.”

Singing Praises

If you’re headed to the Johor Bahru factory, you’re most likely flying into Singapore, which is just a few miles away (though traffic can be a bear). Regardless, lucky you. Singapore’s Changi Airport has been voted the world’s best, four years running, at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in Cologne, Germany. Changi Airport has luxury shops, free Wi-Fi and even a movie theater. In an airport. And if you decide to stay in Singapore for your trip — not a bad option considering that Johor Bahru, though not without its charms, is a mostly industrial city — you’re in for another treat. Or, more accurately, you’re in for a bunch of treats.

None other than world-traveling gourmand and TV show host Anthony Bourdain describes the city-state like so: “For a gastro-tourist, somebody who travels to eat, any kind of serious eater, Singapore’s probably the best place you can go for maximum bang in a minimum period of time.” High praise indeed. So there you have it. Go for the yacht but stay for the Wah Feng wonton noodles.

VIDEO: Yachting Visits the Grand Banks Yachts Factory

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GB60 MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

20.37 M / 66' 10"

5.84 M / 19' 2"

CRUISE SPEED

CRUSING RANGE

761 NM @ 21 KNOTS

FUEL CONSUMPTION

42 G/H @ 21 KNOTS

Genuine Ocean - Going Long Range Cruiser

Gb60 model range.

The Grand Banks 60 is available in Flybridge and Skylounge models. Both models offer a 19’1” beam, providing a wide range of customizable layout configurations, including your choice of three or four staterooms and options for separate up and down galleys.

GB60 FLYBRIDGE MODEL

GB60 SKYLOUNGE MODEL

GB60 SPECIFICATIONS

• Length Overall 66’ 10” 20.37 M
• Length On Deck 60’ 18.3 M
• Beam 19’ 2” 5.84 M
• Displacement (Half Load) 69,500 LBS 31,500 KG
• Fuel Capacity 1,532 GAL 5,800 L
• Water Capacity 291 GAL 1,100 L
• Holding Tank 79 GAL 300 L

ENGINES - STANDARD

• 2 X Volvo D13 Shafts @ 900hp
• Top Speed 31 KNOTS
• Cruising Speed 26 KNOTS
• Range 761 NM / 42 GPH / 21 KN
• Draft 4’ 3” 1.3 M

ENGINES - OPTIONAL

• 2 X Volvo IPS 1200S @ 900hp
• Top Speed 33 KNOTS
• Cruising Speed 30 KNOTS
• Range 834 NM / 39 GPH / 21 KN
• Draft 4’ 2” 1.28 M
• 2 X Volvo D13 Shafts @ 1,000hp
• Cruising Speed 28 KNOTS
• Range 858 NM / 38 GPH / 21 KN

GB60 EXTERIOR

The classic silhouette of the Grand Banks, complemented by a gracefully curved sheer line and an innovative hull design and construction process, provides a sophisticated profile that enhances aesthetics while also ensuring optimal performance and fuel efficiency. Expansive decks offer ample space for relaxation and entertaining, featuring wide side decks with high bulwarks and handholds, as well as an extended boat deck that shelters the aft deck from the elements. Careful attention to detail in the craftsmanship showcases the yacht's luxurious appeal, exemplifying the perfect blend of timeless elegance and functionality.

GB60 INTERIOR

Our interiors are a reminder that timeless elegance, indulgent luxury, and practical seamanship can all co-exist equally. The handcrafted wood finishes created by artisans, fine fabrics and leathers sewn by our own in-house upholstery team, and custom fit and finish to each owner's desires all combine to create a yacht that cannot be achieved by any other builder. Designed and engineered for enhanced rigidity by fusing the bulkheads and fixed furniture with the hull, our yachts feature meticulously planned internal layouts during the early design stages. This allows for flexibility in galley placement and stateroom configurations to optimize space utilization and storage. Our craftsmen take great care to ensure that every inch of the yacht is thoughtfully designed to enhance your enjoyment onboard.

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WHAT OWNERS SAY ABOUT GRAND BANKS YACHTS

““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

“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.

“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

“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

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GRAND BANKS YACHTS

As innovators in yacht design and construction, Grand Banks is constantly moving forward with new ideas and techniques to drive the industry with our products.

Our focus in recent years has seen us move to the forefront of speed and efficiency, while perfecting our construction techniques to deliver better yachts, that are durable against the elements, and can take on nature like never before.

Our goal is to deliver the best ride of any yacht, of any size, while also bringing all the trademark comfort and style that we’ve always been loved for.

GRAND BANKS MODELS

The original downeast cruiser, the Eastbay 44 is stylish, spacious and comfortable, with completely modernized performance.

GRAND BANKS 54

The 54’s versatile design is a culmination of everything we learned from designing and building the Grand Banks 60.

GRAND BANKS 60

Our game-changing and beautifully designed Grand Banks 60 offers a ride that surpasses any yacht of its size.

GRAND BANKS 60 SL

The Grand Banks 60 Skylounge delivers epic performance and a temperature-controlled upper helm station.

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Grand Banks Yachts Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)

Grand Banks Yachts is a company in the yacht industry, specializing in classic trawler-style yachts and modern long-range cruisers. The company uses German-made robots and proprietary V-Warp technology in its manufacturing process. Their target market includes individuals and families looking for luxury, high-speed, fuel-efficient, and stable cruisers. Grand Banks Yachts offers a wide range of fixtures, fittings, and upholstery for staterooms, heads, galleys, and entertaining areas.

Headquarters Plo 488, Jalan Suasa, Pasir Gudang Industrial Estate Pasir Gudang; Johor; Postal Code: 81700

Contact Details: Purchase the Grand Banks Yachts Sdn. Bhd. report to view the information.

Website: http://www.grandbanks.com

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COMPANY DESCRIPTION

GRAND BANKS YACHTS SDN. BHD. was incorporated on 1990-12-31 in Malaysia with registration number of 0210310M / 199001018641 . GRAND BANKS YACHTS SDN. BHD.'s business includes MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF FIBREGLASS YACHTS

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Grand Banks Yachts Ltd

Founded by : Robert J. Newton, 1 January 1956

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Grand Banks Yachts Sdn Bhd

Grand Banks Yachts is a luxury yacht manufacturing company based out of Malaysia, and listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange as Grand Banks Yachts Ltd. ( GBY:SP ) [1]

Grand Banks Yachts began as American Marine [2] , established by Robert J. Newton and his two sons John and Whit Newton. They are regarded as influential in making recreational trawler -style yachts iconic [3] . In 2014 Grand Banks Yachts acquired a 100% ownership stake in Australian luxury yacht builders Palm Beach Motor Yachts, acquiring its CEO Mark Richards , skipper of 8 times line honours Sydney to Hobart winning SuperMaxi Wild Oats XI , to run the enlarged company group [4] .

• 2 Redirection
• 3 References
• 4 sources updated, information verified

History [ edit ]

The original shipyard in 1956 was located on a small section of waterfront [5] in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Hong Kong was at that time a British Colony . Their first boat was launched in 1957 after 6 months of building, and Robert's other son Whit joined his brother and father, and they established American Marine Ltd building heavy sailboats and large motor-yachts for some of the world's top marine architects including Sparkman & Stephens , William Garden , Nat Herreshoff , Ray Hunt and others [6] [7] .  

In 1962, American Marine commissioned their own design through naval architect Ken Smith [8] , a 36 foot trawler named Spray that would lead into the future design of the Grand Banks 36 [9] . Within 1 year of launching Spray, American Marine ceased custom building to focus on their new 8-knot wooden cruiser, and over the next few years expanded the Grand Banks fleet to include the GB32, GB42, GB48, GB50, GB57 and GB62. The shipyard moved from Singapore in 1995 [10] and now trades out of a factory in Johor Bahru [11] , Malaysia with corporate offices in Singapore.

Redirection [ edit ]

Upon its acquisition of Palm Beach and appointment of new CEO Mark Richards , the shipyard in Pasir Gudang, Johor Bahru , underwent substantial refitting and development and Grand Banks moved from its previous dealership sales distribution network to a factory direct sales model [12] . The company ceased production of its line of legacy models to focus on developing more efficient and modern designs using new technology and production methods utilising carbon fiber , resin infusion and multi-axis CNC . Grand Banks is due to unveil its new flagship Grand Banks 60 in 2017 to commemorate the company's 60th anniversary.

References [ edit ]

• ↑ "Grand Banks Yachts - Company Information" . grandbanks.com . Retrieved 2017-03-06 .
• ↑ "Top 15 Trawlers" . Yachting Magazine . Retrieved 2017-03-06 .
• ↑ "Grand Banks to Acquire 2nd Brand" . Yachting Magazine . Retrieved 2017-03-26 .
• ↑ "American Marine Ltd boatyard, Junk Bay – great photographs – The Industrial History of Hong Kong Group" . industrialhistoryhk.org . Retrieved 2017-03-06 .
• ↑ "The Making Of a Grand Banks | | PassageMaker" . www.passagemaker.com . Retrieved 2017-03-06 .
• ↑ "Oh Wooden Aye" . www.powerandmotoryacht.com . Retrieved 2017-03-07 .

• ↑ ShareInvestor. "Grand Banks Yachts: Renewal Of 30-Year Lease At Pasir Gudang Industrial Area For S$6.2 Million. - ShareInvestor.com" . www.shareinvestor.com . Retrieved 2017-03-06 .
• ↑ "Grand Banks Yachts Annual Report 2016" (PDF) . Annual Report . October 11, 2016 . Retrieved March 26, 2017 .

sources updated, information verified [ edit ]

This article "Grand Banks Yachts" is from Wikipedia . The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Grand Banks Yachts . Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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• GRAND BANKS YACHTS SDN BHD
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Member Description

Manufacturing and sale of fiberglass yachts.

Member Details

• Category: Non-MetallicManufactures
• Address: PLO 488, Jalan Suasa, Kawasan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang, [ P O Box 148 ], Pasir Gudang Johor Malaysia
• Website: www.grandbanks.com
• Phone Number: 07-251 7488

Grand Banks Yachts announced today that it had agreed to place out new shares worth $5.238 million to a trust linked to Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of the Genting group of companies, and to theme park operator Koh Cheng Keong.

About half the net proceeds of the placement will be used for new product development, including constructing new yacht moulds; while the balance will be used to enhance existing manufacturing facilities in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia, including acquiring new equipment; to open new retail stores, to expand the distribution network and to increase the group’s inventory of new yachts. Grand Banks said 17.185 million shares of the total 19.223 million share placement will be taken up by Exa Limited, an investment holding company held by the trustee of Golden Hope Unit Trust, whose beneficiaries include Lim and certain members of his family. The remaining 2.038 million placement shares have been taken up by Koh Cheng Keong, the Chairman and Managing Director of Malaysia’s Only World Group, which is engaged in theme park and amusement park related activities and food, beverage and project management businesses. The 19.223 million shares have been placed out at $0.2725 each, representing a discount of 9.98% to the volume-weighted average price of $0.3027 for trades done on Grand Banks shares between 13 September 2012 and up to the time of the trading halt imposed by the company on 14 September 2012. Following the placement, Lim and Gerard Lim Ewe Keng, Director of Golden Hope, trustee of the Golden Hope Unit Trust, are expected to be appointed as non-executive and non-independent directors of the company. {jcomments on}

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• PLO 488, Jalan Suasa Pasir Gudang Industrial Area, Pasir Gudang, Johor 81700, Malaysia

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