The traditional Grand Banks shipyard has completely reinvented itself in recent years. Since the well-known Australian ocean sailor and former owner of Palm Beach, Mark Richards, took over the helm as CEO following the sale of his brand to Grand Banks in April 2014, hardly a stone has been left unturned. Not only were the factory and production methods intensively revamped and modernised, but the old fleet also had to make way for completely new developments. The GB60 is the first model to be developed entirely under the direction of Richards. The world premiere was in September 2017 at the Newport International Boat Show. We had the chance to drive the brand-new skylounge version with fully enclosed upper deck immediately after its unveiling in Florida at the end of last year.
If you don't just want to dream about it, but are considering buying one, you should be prepared for waiting times, as the shipyard in Malaysia only has a capacity of 30 boats a year and is probably already fully booked for deliveries in 2019. The dream cruiser has a corresponding entry-level price starting at a good four million euros. However, the basic equipment on board includes everything from heating and air conditioning to a washing machine and ice maker. The list of options is correspondingly meagre, with only luxuries such as stabilisers to be found. Interested parties do not even need to look for a dealer network, as there is no such thing. The shipyard only markets directly and has a small group of representatives. MariTeam Yachting from Leeuwarden in the Netherlands is responsible for Germany.
Need more information? The test of the Grand Banks GB 60 SL with all technical data, further measurement results and full assessment can be found in BOOTE issue 6/2019 ( available here ).
It is initially surprising that behind the classic lines, which at first glance suggest traditional boat building, a high-tech product based on carbon fibre technology is concealed. Glass fibres are only used where carbon fibres, which are more sensitive to damage, can be critical, i.e. mainly on the outside of the hull. Only lightweight carbon fibre is used for the deck and superstructure in order to keep the yacht's centre of gravity low.
This brings advantages in terms of driving behaviour. The hull is manufactured using composite technology. Foam and the stringers are located between the inner and outer shells. The outer shell and "inner workings" are manufactured by hand and finally bonded with vinyl ester resin using a vacuum process. Epoxy resin is also used in some cases. Both materials are water-repellent and prevent the dreaded osmosis that can occur when polyester resins are used. Although the furniture gives the impression of being made of solid wood, its core is actually made of plastic laminate. Although this is expensive to construct, it guarantees a very long and completely warp-free life even in humid sea climates.
The GB60 SL is clearly designed for owners who spend a lot of time on the water and also want to cover longer distances with it. Thanks to its CE category A classification, this is possible without any restrictions. There is also plenty of space for guests, as in addition to the spacious owner's cabin with a complete sanitary area, there is a generous bow cabin, which also has a wet room, and another double cabin, which is cleverly divided into two small but connected rooms with single beds. There is plenty of space for the crew to romp around on board the 60-footer anyway. There is the saloon with a fully equipped luxury fitted kitchen and two seating areas.
The spacious flybridge offers alternative seating options, where a further seating area and an additional toilet are installed next to the helm station with its comfortable two seats that can be adjusted in any direction. On the outside of the upper deck, the dinghy is waiting to be used. Below this is the equally spacious cockpit with upholstered bench and folding table, which can also be used for larger groups with extra seating. The two wide gangways to the bow are flanked by side walls with railings, ensuring a safe route forwards. Wherever you look, you can see the flawless workmanship. Small rubber studs prevent flaps from hitting. All doors have stoppers, allowing good ventilation of the rooms when not in use.
In terms of engines, the customer has the choice between Volvo Penta D13 six-cylinder diesels with shafts or the IPS1200 pod drives. Two D13-900s are standard, but D13-1000s or D13-800s are also available as options. Our test boat had the engines with the lowest power output and reached a top speed of 28.4 kn at 2370 rpm.
We determine the most efficient cruising speed at 1600 rpm with 17.2 knots. Thanks to the huge 5800-litre tank, an impressive range of 800 nautical miles can be achieved, taking into account a 15% reserve. At a displacement speed of eight knots, over 1100 nm are even possible. Thanks to the steep bow, the semi-planing boat goes smoothly through waves without lifting its nose when accelerating. Nothing happens when the rudder is jerked. And handling in the harbour is excellent with the standard bow thruster. There is nothing to criticise either in terms of safety or the flawless installation of all the technology.
Conclusion
The Grand Banks GB60 SL is a top-quality luxury yacht for owners who really want to travel the world on their own keel and attach great importance to comfort.
