Grand Banks showcases interior craftsmanship in an efficient cruising hull with the GB54

Grand Banks 54 © Sand People

Grand Banks Yachts Limited is excited to share more information about the latest model in its lineup, the Grand Banks 54. The new GB54, which had been called the Grand Banks 52 in previous communications, follows the successful launches of the Grand Banks 60 and the GB60 Skylounge, and will advance the builder's strategy to create yachts with strong, lightweight hulls that offer efficient operation and are finished with comfortable interiors that welcome cruisers aboard.

Built for cruisers, inside and out

The interior of the GB54 will combine the attributes of traditional yacht interiors with contemporary styling and, as always, the craftsmanship that has been a hallmark of every Grand Banks yacht. The yacht will come with either a two- or three-stateroom layout, and artisans will fit the interior with sustainably grown tightgrain teak and complementary fabrics.

"A yacht that can cruise efficiently for a thousand nautical miles should have an interior suited to the task as well," says Mark Richards, CEO of Grand Banks. "Just as the hull is built both for long passages and shorter jaunts, so the interior can welcome family and friends aboard in comfort, for the day, the weekend, or the month."

Both layouts benefit from a large saloon seating area with an L-shaped settee to port, served by a versatile dining table. This settee can double as a watch berth during a night passage. Opposite is a pair of loveseats in a fore-and-aft arrangement, suitable for a pair of couples, served by a cocktail table between. From the saloon, cockpit access is through a centerline door, where a transom settee welcomes alfresco dining. Stairs on the starboard side of the cockpit lead to the flying bridge, where a boat deck aft ships a tender and is served by a davit. The upper helm station has helm and companion seats while an L-shaped settee with a table invites more alfresco entertaining.

The two-stateroom layout has a galley down and features a starboard master stateroom amidships. The galley is just a few steps down the companionway from the main deck. Located to port, the galley has an atrium-like feel beneath the raked windshield, creating an airy space with natural light for the chef. The master has a private head with a walk-in shower, and a dressing area with a large hanging locker and enough stowage for extended cruising. The guest stateroom in the bow has use of the second head, located to port, which also serves as the boat's day head.

The three-stateroom layout places the galley on the main deck on the port side, opposite the helm. The master is located in the bow, with a private head to port. A pair of double guest staterooms are amidships in a side-by-side configuration, separated by the amidships passageway. The starboard guest stateroom has private access to the second head, which is shared through passageway access with the second guest stateroom to port. This second head also serves as a day head.

Grand Banks 54 - photo © Sand People

A new yacht with familiar efficiency

The GB54 will have a fully infused hull with a sharp forefoot and semi-displacement warped shape. The design is meant to stay in the water and slice through it, a consistency of the line that started with the GB60. Like her older sister, the GB54 uses fully infused carbon fiber for the decks and superstructure to lower the center of gravity. A fully cored structure is employed using PVC foam core and SAN Corecell in areas of specific application, sandwiched between skins of stitched multi-axial carbon fiber, bonded with vinylester and epoxy resins and supported by infused composite panels in a robust grid system.

The result is a hull that leaves minimal wake as it performs consistently throughout the rpm range, with the same running attitude and steering feel whether she's running at 10 knots or 21 knots. That minimal wake means little energy is wasted creating waves and pushing water out of the way.

The standard engine package for the GB54 will be a pair of 725-horsepower Volvo Penta D11s, chosen for the model's excellent low-end torque, efficient operation, and low sound and vibration levels. The efficiency shows in the performance but also the range, as the GB54 is expected to be able to cruise 1,000 nautical miles at 10 knots, with a fast cruise estimated to be around 27 knots at 70 percent load.

"The 54 will combine weight reduction, strength, and a low vertical center of gravity, just as we did on the 60 and 60 Skylounge," says Mark Richards, CEO of Grand Banks. "We emphasize cruising efficiency both in our hull design and matching it with propulsion. Of course, efficiency is worthless without comfort, so we made sure the Grand Banks 54 will offer surefootedness in a wide range of sea states, and an interior worthy of extended time aboard."

Prospective owners will understand the benefit of working with Grand Banks through the factory-direct sales structure, which will allow equipment to meet specification for a turn-key cruising yacht. Although the standard equipment list for the GB54 is not yet complete, the boat will include a 15-kW generator, reversecycle air conditioning, an entertainment center, a refrigerator and freezer, a tender with outboard and a davit on the boat deck, and all canvas. The main item left to owner's discretion is the navigation electronics.

Grand Banks 54 Brief Specifications: (subject to change)

LOA: 59'5" (18.1m)
LOD: 53'10" (16.4m)
Beam: 17'6" (5.33m)
Draft: 3'1" (0.94m)
Fuel: 898 gal. (3,956 L)
Water: 290 gal. (1,277 L)
Holding: 80 gal. (352 L)
Standard Engines: 2x 725-hp Volvo Penta D11s w/shafts
Optional Engines: 2x 725-hp Volvo Penta IPS950s
Cruising Speed: 27 knots
Top Speed: 32 knots