Grand Banks announced this week that they are adding an all new 65-footer to their line that will fit neatly between the 62 and 70. Like the other models in the 60 range the new 65 will be available with either an open flybridge or an enclosed Skylounge.
Both versions share the new streamlined lines introduced by CEO and chief designer Mark Richards when he took over the company. While the new designs have the traditional Downeast aesthetic that made the early models so distinctive, the new Grand Banks are sleek, graceful and downright handsome.
Part of the evolution of the brand under Richards was the adoption of their proprietary V-Warp hull configuration that incorporates a sharp entry at the bow and a gradual flattening the underbody as it flows aft to provide easy planning and excellent form stability both underway and when moored.
The 5 is powered by twin Volvo 13s rated at 1350-horsepower. These can either IPS pod drives or simpler straight shafts, depending on an owner’s preference. One of the added advantages of the V-Warp hull shapes is the ability to mount either or shafts without making modifications. At top speed, the 65 will exceed 30 knots. With an economical cruising speed of 20 knots, the boat will burn approximately 1.4 gallons per mile.
In this week’s announcement, Grand Banks noted, “Like every Grand Banks, the GB65 will reflect how her owners wish to cruise and can be customized to suit. Available as a Skylounge, shown here, or a Flybridge model, she can be enjoyed as a long-range passagemaker, family adventure yacht, expedition platform or a capable yachtfish.”
Grand Banks is a famous bespoke builder, known for their ability to work closely with their owners to create yachts that truly reflect the taste, style and cruising lifestyle of each individual family. Given all that, each boat is heirloom quality that will be relevant and stylish for generations.
The layout provides three large social spaces, the flybridge, the salon and the cockpit and each will have its function through the course of a day out cruising. When underway in fair weather, the flybridge will the be the gathering spot for morning coffee, al fresco lunches and afternoon sundowners while swinging on the anchor.
The cockpit with its large swim platform will be the site of morning and afternoon swims plus the launch pad for water toys or the start of a SCUBA dive. And for those who want to go for game fish, the cockpit can even have a fighting chair and other necessary gear.
The salon has the U-shaped galley aft where it is convenient to both the main dining table in the salon and the outside table in the cockpit. The salon has large rectangular windows –a nod to classic Grand Banks–and excellent visibility forward for a helmsman steering inside in wet or cool weather.
Down below the master cabin uses the 65’s full beam for a cabin that will truly be a home away from home. In addition, there are two double guest cabjns and all three have en suite heads and separate shower stalls. A fourth cabin can either be a pullman for children or converted into a floating office.
In a short review, it is hard to communicate the many subtle details that make these boats so special. Here’s one that says a lot. Not long ago, Mark Richards was showing my now-retired partner Peter Janssen and me the new GD 70.
We were sitting in the salon when Mark flipped the switch to turn on the generator that was in the engine room beneath the salon’s sole. There was no vibration at all when the generator started and no sound at all in the salon. You simply couldn’t tell if the engine was running or not.
So, the cruising community and the extended Grand Banks family will be thrilled by this new addition to the fleet and one can easily envision the owners of a GB 54 or 60 deciding that those extra feet, extra space and latest innovations are serious selling points.
