The East Bay line of family cruisers was launched in 1993 by Grand Banks to enter the performance cruising market with a sleek Downeast sedan. Traditional Grand Banks boats of that period were eight to 10-knot trawlers that did not compete well against the modern cruisers built by Sabre, Back Cove and others.
Today, East Bay builds two models, the flagship 60 and the mid-range 44. The smaller boat has been given many upgrades by the new owners of Grand Banks yet still is endowed with the classic features that made the original East Bay 38 such a popular boat.
Starting with the Hunt Associates’ deep-V hull, the 44 has admirable seakeeping qualities and a soft, sure ride in bouncy conditions. Driven by twin Volve 650s with IPS drives, the 44 has a top end speed of 38 knots and an efficient cruising speed of 21 knots at which it burns just over a gallon of diesel per mile.
The hull style is pure Downeast classic with a springy sheer line, a slightly fared bow and a low, graceful sedan cabin. Note the large cabin windows that have a distinctive East Bay curve.
Like earlier East Bay models, the 44 has plenty of beam at a 33 percent beam-to-length ratio. With narrow side decks and a pronounced chine in the hull above the waterline, the interior volume is maximized. The cockpit it huge, with a lounge aft and an aft facing settee. A stern door leads to the ample swim platform on the stern.
The salon is full of light from the huge glazing and the two over head opening hatches. The windows slide down with the push of a button to create a wide open indoor-outdoor living area. The dinette with a folding leaf table is to port and the in-line galley is to starboard. The helm has a raised, double seat that provides good visibility for the helmsman.
The hull’s ample volume makes room below for three cabins and a single head with a shower stall. Private berths for six is a feature you don’t find on many boats under 50 feet and makes the 44 a true family cruiser.
The fit and finish of the East Bay 44 evokes yacht styles of yore with teak and holly soles, teak joinery and a stylish blend of high-gloss and matte varnish. With muted fabrics on the settees, the ambience is of timeless elegance.
Alongside the Grand Banks fleet and their sister company Palm Beach, the two East Bay models might seem to be the step children of the much larger family. But that misses the point. The beamy, roomy sedans are not offered with flying bridges so they are ideally suited to inland water cruising.
The 44 is a boat for a couple and their familly that is easy to handle, simple to maintain and comfortable for long vacations afloat. One owner called his 44 “the family wagon.”
