GRAND BANKS YACHTS GB85

At first glance, the new Grand Banks 85 looks like a traditional, recreation trawler.

Her lines are straightforward and predictable – nothing aggressive, or over the top. She looks like a classic handcrafted yacht, but in fact, the GB85 owes much of her construction to robots. An 8-axis robot has enabled the shipyard to build larger and more complex parts with greater accuracy. Ultimately, GB85’s craftsmanship has been left to human hands, but there’s a lot of modern tech in the design.

The hull, for example, looks like a traditional sturdy design, when it is actually a synergy of materials and construction techniques that GB has named the V-Warp. Here, the semi-displacement form flares amidships to create soft shoulders that roll the water away. By virtually eliminating hull slapping and pounding, this reduces drag and softens the ride. The hull continues to warp into a very low 6-8 degree deadrise in the aft section.

A softer ride means increased guest comfort, and the GB85 has the luxury to match its seakeeping. A beam of 22 feet allows Grand Banks to offer a range of internal configurations 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,” said CEO Mark 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.”

www.grandbanks.com