1999 Grand Banks 49 Eastbay HX

Step aboard and the first thing you’ll notice is how quiet and solid she feels underfoot; that Grand Banks hull has a reassuring heft at idle and underway. Sightlines from the helm are excellent, even seated, and the throttles fall right to hand for precise docking. The side decks are protected enough that moving forward with a fender in one hand and a dockline in the other feels secure, not like a circus act. Below, the galley has the storage and counter space to genuinely cook, not just reheat, with deep lockers that swallow provisions for a week. Underway, the boat tracks straight with minimal tab, and at displacement speeds she’s remarkably efficient for her size.

In this region’s mix of choppy afternoons, tight harbors, and longer coastal hops, the 49 Eastbay HX hits a sweet spot. The modified deep‑V smooths out short, steep seas, while the keel and prop pockets let you nose confidently into shallower anchorages that deeper-draft cruisers avoid. The semi-enclosed helm deck becomes the social hub when breezes turn cool or the sun is intense, yet still feels connected to the cockpit for easy line handling. Generous tankage and comfortable accommodations make weekend escapes or multi-day passages realistic without constant resupply, and the wide side decks and substantial rails are a real asset when docking in busy marinas or working the foredeck in a crosswind.