Grand Banks has introduced the new GB65 Skylounge, expanding its 60-series platform into a 21.9-metre yacht with an enclosed upper helm and a broader range of cruising roles. The model is also available in flybridge form, allowing owners to choose between more open-air operation and the weather protection of the Skylounge.
Published specifications list a 5.84-metre beam, displacement of about 33.7 tonnes and twin 900hp Volvo D13 shaft-drive engines as standard. Grand Banks gives a top speed of 35 knots, showing that the boat is designed to combine long-range efficiency with significantly higher cruise capability than a traditional displacement trawler.
The Skylounge changes how the upper deck can be used
An enclosed upper helm gives the skipper a protected operating position without sacrificing the elevated visibility of a flybridge. In hot, cold or wet climates, that can extend the useful season and reduce fatigue, while the enclosed volume can also become another social area rather than a helm that is used only in perfect weather.
The trade-off is weight and windage high in the boat, which designers have to control carefully. Grand Banks uses lightweight construction and its established hull philosophy to preserve stability and efficiency, but owners should still compare how the Skylounge and Flybridge versions feel underway before deciding which arrangement best suits their cruising region.
V-Warp aims to combine speed with efficiency
Grand Banks continues to base the GB65 around its V-Warp hull concept, developed to reduce resistance and maintain efficient running across a broad speed range. The builder says the yacht can cruise around 20 knots with fuel consumption that remains unusually moderate for its size and performance.
Official figures vary with load and operating point, but Grand Banks publishes long-distance capability at speeds well above conventional trawler pace. For owners, that matters because a yacht able to cover ground efficiently at 18 to 22 knots can change passage planning without requiring the fuel burn associated with holding maximum speed.
Twin 900hp engines provide a wide operating envelope
The standard installation uses twin Volvo D13 engines rated at 900hp each and conventional shafts. Grand Banks publishes a 31-knot cruise and 35-knot top speed, while lower cruise settings extend range considerably, giving the owner freedom to trade time against fuel according to weather and itinerary.
Shaft drive remains attractive to many long-range owners because the machinery layout is familiar and service support is broad. The installation is less about producing a dramatic top-speed number than giving the hull enough reserve to maintain useful passage speeds when the yacht is loaded with fuel, water, cruising equipment and stores.
Fuel and water capacity support extended cruising
The GB65 carries about 5,800 litres of fuel and 1,100 litres of fresh water in the published specification. Those capacities suit owners who want to spend meaningful time away from fuel docks and marinas, although actual endurance depends heavily on speed, generator demand, weather and the amount of reserve an owner maintains.
A long-range yacht also needs storage for tools, spares, food and recreational equipment. Grand Banks presents the 65 as suitable for diving, fishing, family adventure or passagemaking, so prospective buyers should look carefully at how optional equipment changes weight, locker space and access to technical systems.
Versatility is central to the new model
The yard describes the GB65 Skylounge as capable of serving as a family cruiser, expedition-style platform or yachtfish. Those uses place different demands on deck furniture and equipment, so Grand Banks’ factory-direct approach gives owners an opportunity to tailor the boat without abandoning the validated hull and machinery package.
Customisation is most valuable when it changes function rather than simply adding decoration. A serious fishing owner may prioritise cockpit systems and refrigeration, while a family cruiser may use the same volume for seating, toys and shade; both need the underlying boat to remain balanced and straightforward to maintain.
The GB65 stays below 24 metres without feeling small
At 21.9 metres overall, the model sits close to the upper end of Luxury Yacht Guide’s scope but remains below the 24-metre threshold. That gives owners substantial living volume and offshore capability while avoiding the physical footprint of larger yachts that can be harder to berth or require a different operating structure.
The new Skylounge therefore occupies an interesting middle ground between production motor yacht and long-distance passagemaker. If Grand Banks can deliver its published combination of speed, efficiency and flexible accommodation at full cruising load, the GB65 should appeal strongly to experienced owners who want range without accepting slow passages.
