GRAND BANKS presents the new GB65 Skylounge

Grand Banks continues to challenge many of the assumptions that have long shaped this category, for sixty years it has been a benchmark for long-range navigation. When the Grand Banks 60 debuted in 2017, it demonstrated that long crossings no longer required sacrificing speed in the name of efficiency.

Grand Banks 65 Skylounge is certainly the ultimate expression of the shipyard for versatility, a long-range cruising vessel that can transform into a fishing boat or be used as a shuttle for long cruises. The new offering confirms the premise of CEO and Chief Designer Mark Richards, who stated that “crossing vessels can navigate efficiently at higher speeds with excellent and comfortable seakeeping, fully expressing the nautical lifestyle of each owner.”

Reduced weight, stronger structures, and a hydrodynamic design that glides on the water’s surface, ensuring minimal friction and maximum efficiency. Developed through his experience as a master shipwright, Richards has led to the creation of the proprietary V-Warp Technology, an exclusive design and construction technology for the hull employed with extraordinary success on all new Grand Banks models.

Each V-Warp hull is made with a very precise resin-to-fiber ratio, achieving strong, fast, and lightweight structures thanks to the use of unidirectional and multi-axial carbon fiber. The hull is finally fused directly with the bulkheads, the carbon fiber deck, and the superstructure, resulting in an incredibly robust final product, capable of offering a smooth and quiet navigation on any ocean.

Grand Banks 65 Skylounge interiors

The aft galley makes provisioning extremely easy before departure and naturally connects the interior living space with the cockpit, barbecue, and outdoor entertainment areas during navigation. In the salon, thanks to the relocation of the helm station to the upper level in the Skylounge, the entire environment is dedicated to maximum living comfort. The large opening side and rear windows flood the salon and kitchen with natural light and fresh air.

The aft storage compartment can stow any equipment: from diving gear and paddleboards to spare parts, lines, fenders, and food supplies, everything that experienced sailors inevitably accumulate during months of navigation. A watertight door provides access to the engine room from this area, while inspection hatches on the ceiling facilitate extraordinary maintenance operations.

On the upper level, the Skylounge can be used as a second salon, complete with a large L-shaped sofa, dining table, refrigerator, and a service bathroom with shower. The sofa also transforms into an ideal watch berth during long crossings. The central helm at the bow offers an excellent view from the two Stidd helm chairs and benefits from opening side and rear windows, providing a sense of openness similar to that of classic flybridges.

Outside, the design and layout reflect the Grand Banks brand, with railings and handrails impeccably crafted directly in the shipyard. The wide walkways protected by high bulwarks allow for safe and easy movement on deck, both at anchor and underway.

“Every owner experiences navigation differently”, explains Richards. “Some are out to catch marlin, some spend months exploring the Inside Passage in Alaska, and some prefer to drop anchor in the Bahamas with kids on board. Our job is not to tell customers how they should use their GB, but to build a boat capable of taking them wherever their ambitions lead them. That’s the fun part for me: building boats together with our customers.”