Grand Banks is set to debut its latest model, the GB85, in Europe for the first time, at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival. The new model utilises the company’s V-Warp platform and takes the company in a new performance-driven and fuel-efficient direction.
The builder says the GB85 focuses on maximising storage and allowing an abundance of fresh air flow. The GB85 is also said to be an ocean-going Bluewater cruiser that stays nimble with a shallow draft, making it equally suited for coastal cruising.
Designed to travel efficiently at 21 knots for extended cruising, and easily handled by owner-operators, the internal configurations can accommodate spacious crew-quarters capabilities.
This vessel follows on from the success Grand Banks‘ earlier models, 2017’s GB60 and 2020’s GB54.
Hull No. 1 is powered with twin 1,000HP Volvo IPS 1350s. CEO Mark Richards reported that, during the pre-delivery test, the GB85 met all expectations. The GB85 runs flat and pushes very little water, due to the V-Warp platform.
A beam of 22 feet allows Grand Banks to offer a range of internal configurations and amenities for both guests and crew. For long-distance cruising, special attention was given to both sociability and privacy.
“First, we focused on what makes a superior long-distance cruiser while underway for long legs,” says Richards.
“This means understanding the rhythm that occurs while on passage, and creating various spaces where you can separate from others off-watch. Some people onboard are focused on running the boat, others are relaxing, and others may be sleeping. This approach ticks a lot of boxes in how the design comes together.”
