grand banks luxury luxurious yacht yachts motoryacht brand company cannes yachting festival 2022
The GB85 makes the most of her main-deck areas, thanks to her 22-foot (6.75-meter) beam, to provide spacious gathering areas for family and friends.

The new GB85 is GRAND BANKS’ new flagship yacht

With the launch of the all-oceans Grand Banks 85 at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2022, the venerable boatbuilder continues to stay true to its pioneering past while continuing its relentless pursuit of perfection, next-level construction, and superior design. At the heart of Grand Banks’ success is its proprietary V-Warp® Technology, which features their new highly efficient V-Warp® hull platform, in concert with the exotic materials and a build philosophy that guides their design and construction.

This hull shape is the manifestation of CEO Mark Richards’ dissatisfaction with the status quo and his constant drive to apply the same guiding principles of competitive sailboat racing designs derived from his experience with the Admiral’s Cup, America’s Cup, and a record number of Sydney-Hobart victories.

Three key elements to a successful high-performance sailboat design are wetted surface, reduction of energy required to move a boat through the water, and running attitude. It was Richards’ opinion that these elements were often overlooked in the 25-meter-plus market, where interior accommodations at times take precedent over performance and efficiency.

The Grand Banks V-Warp hull is designed to stay in the water and slice trough seas. The lift designed in the after section helps to maintain this flatter running attitude, which takes full advantage of GB85’s waterline, while the fine entry cuts through the water and provides an incredibly soft ride and superior efficiency.

The GB85 has an efficient cruising speed of 21 knots, for a range circa 1,000 nautical miles, and the versatility of the V-Warp Hull allows the speed to be reduced to 10 knots for an approximate 3,000-nautical-mile range. Because the yacht is designed to achieve the same running attitude throughout the speed curve, cruising speeds can be optimizied based on cruising conditions. Several engine options are available including the 1,000-horsepower Volvo IPS 1350s, or a shaft package employing twin 1,300-horsepower MAN V8 diesels.

BUILD PHILOSOPHY & EXOTIC MATERIALS

Combining the V-Warp hull design with an obsessive focus on maximizing strength and minimizing weight is another component that brings the GB85, and all Grand Banks models, to the next level.

High-tech methods are employed that focus on weight reduction while simultaneously increasing the boat’s strength. Each hull employs vacuum-infused E-Glass and then carbon fiber in structural areas, cored with Corecell® and Airex® foam, and stitched multi-axial fabrics. This sandwich construction style is then infused with 100-percent vinylester, a modified epoxy, and the highest grade of resin. The entire deck and superstructure are fully infused carbon fiber, which makes for stronger, lighter structures, which are then enhanced with compound curvatures for further stiffness. This also keeps the center of gravity low, and provides impressive form stability, a critical component of such a large cruising yacht meant for bluewater passages.

WORLD-CLASS COMFORT AND LUXURY

Grand Banks offers several accommodations plans, including either an open, or enclosed-flybridge version. However, the builder embraces the process of working directly with their owners to ensure that each GB85 reflects the individuals’ specific needs, experience, and taste. The superior build quality and selected materials not only provide a high level of luxury, but ensure that the 85 will remain timeless for many years from delivery and continue to be a comfortable, world-class, luxurious cruising yacht.

The GB85 makes the most of her main-deck areas, thanks to her 22-foot (6.75-meter) beam, to provide spacious gathering areas for family and friends. The aft deck has a wide dining table at the transom, served by an al fresco galley area along the aft bulkhead of the saloon.

In the saloon, a large conversation area is located aft with a U-shaped settee and a large sofa opposite. Throughout the GB85, customization means the layout, finishes, and fabrics are at the owners’ behest, to create an onboard feel that’s truly one of a kind. Forward is a formal dining table convenient to a spacious galley appointed with professional-grade appliances. Opposite the dining area, internal stairs lead to the flybridge.

The flybridge can be configured as an open deck or an enclosed Skylounge, with a gathering area abaft the helm and companion seats for everyone to enjoy the best views. This comfortable space lets guest enjoy time gathered around the helm. With the enclosed option, opening windows allow for fresh breezes on fair days, and this choice creates more usable space on the main deck as the upper deck is the primary helm station (a lower docking station to starboard can be concealed within the galley counter by the door to the side deck).

On the open flybridge a robust hardtop offers protection from the elements. The aft cockpit on the bridge features an additional L-shaped lounge settee and high-low table for dining, as well as a wet bar to port with electric cooktops, refrigeration and ice makers. Owners can choose to configure this area as an additional spacious sunning area, or opt to stow their tender here, or below on the swim platform.

ACCOMMODATIONS TO MEET ANY OWNERS’ NEEDS

The lower deck as standard, has at its heart an amidships, full-beam master stateroom, luxuriously appointed. The king-size berth is flanked by a settee for the owners’ private comfort and plenty of stowage including numerous drawers and a walk-in hanging locker. Natural light enhances the space through large hullside windows. The en suite arrangement features his and hers sinks arrangement and a spacious shower as well, cosseting the owners with quality fixtures. Customization is a huge feature here, where one 85 had a concealed, fold-out full-size piano keyboard incorporated into the joinery. For hull #1, at her owners’ request, Grand Banks has customized the master stateroom into a three-quarter layout with generous en suite repositioned to port. This was to make room for an additional bunk cabin, to accommodate grandchildren close by when staying aboard.

The layout also includes a forward VIP with luxurious en suite and loads of stowage, offering solitude for special guests. A third double guest stateroom is also served by a private head. Both are finished to welcome the most discerning guests in high style.

One of the essential requirements in the design of the GB85 was to lead the industry with respect to the commodious crew quarters, which can also serve as additional family accommodations, and is finished to the same impeccable standard as the rest of the vessel. There are numerous layout options available for this space too, from two cabin queen sized berths, to a dedicated captain’s cabin with office space. These layouts feature a full-size galley and dining area, and have separate entrances via either the cockpit or transom areas. The systems and their simplicity are also designed for the owner-operator, a key tenet of the Grand Banks brand. In addition, separate engine rooms and utility spaces also ensure systems are not all condensed within the heat of the engine room.

https://www.grandbanks.com

About Grand Banks

With a renowned legacy that dates back to 1956, Grand Banks Yachts Limited is a global company well known for its vast experience in manufacturing and selling luxury motoryachts. The Grand Banks brand is recognized across the globe for superior quality and craftsmanship, which created one of the most acclaimed and highly sought-after yachts on the market today. Grand Banks Yachts Limited has factory-based sales offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific to manage new boat and brokerage transactions.