An ocean-cruising 85-footer with a half-load displacement of 49,000 kilos, which is remarkable in the marketplace
The company that pioneered the trawler-yacht niche more than 60 years ago, created the first production raised-pilothouse design in the 1960s, then launched the production Down East market, and recently proved how the unique V-Warp™ hull design can revolutionize the long-distance cruiser with the Grand Banks 60 and 54, is yet again putting the world on notice with the new Grand Banks 85. This extraordinary new design is an accumulation of advanced technology, superior design, and a company-wide passion for delivering the best yachts in their class.
The result of the preliminary sea trials of hull No. 1 are a testament to the company’s in-house engineering team and CEO Mark Richards’ relentless pursuit of yachting perfection. Grand Banks can confidently and enthusiastically reaffirm the objective of matching superior design and cutting-edge construction with world-renowned craftsmanship is the key to creating the next generation long-distance yacht.
‘We had one primary objective above all when we started the Grand Banks 85,’ said Richards. ‘To deliver the most fuel-efficient, high-speed, long-range cruiser of this size in the world. Period. It is incredibly exciting to tick this box right out of the gate on what is not yet even the official sea trial.’
A key component of Richards’s build philosophy is to incorporate high-tech methods 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, stitched multi-axial fabric, and 100-percent vinylester resins.
The entire deck and superstructure are also fully infused carbon fiber, which makes for stronger, lighter structures. This also keeps the weight low, a critical component of such a large cruising yacht meant for bluewater passages. The end result is an ocean-cruising 85-footer with a half-load displacement 49,000 kilos, which is remarkable in the marketplace, and a 1,000 nm range at fast cruising speed.
Photo Grand Banks
