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THE PIONEERING LONG-RANGE CRUISER:
GRAND BANKS 54 ON DISPLAY AT THE 25TH AUCKLAND BOAT SHOW
Auckland, New Zealand — As Grand Banks prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary throughout 2026, the company will showcase one of its most popular and capable models, the Grand Banks 54, at the 25th Auckland Boat Show, taking place March 5–8. For seven decades, Grand Banks has defined what it means to cruise long distances in comfort, safety, and confidence. Since the launch of the ground-breaking Grand Banks 36 in 1964, the company has consistently pioneered a yachting lifestyle centered on freedom, adventure, and intelligent design, a philosophy that continues to guide the brand today.
The Grand Banks 54 is a modern expression of that legacy. Designed by CEO Mark Richards and the company’s in-house design and engineering team, the Grand Banks 54 seamlessly blends classic Grand Banks styling with next-generation hull design, advanced materials, and meticulous craftsmanship. The result is a yacht that honours the brand’s heritage while delivering the performance, efficiency, and comfort demanded by today’s long-range cruisers. On display throughout the Auckland Boat Show, the Grand Banks 54 exemplifies the company’s passion for building yachts designed to truly go the distance. From coastal exploration to serious passagemaking, she is engineered for owners who see the horizon not as a boundary, but an invitation.
This approach to yacht building is deeply personal for Richards, whose career as an ocean racing champion has shaped every aspect of the modern Grand Banks range. His understanding of balance, efficiency, and reliability at sea informs the design of every model, ensuring Grand Banks yachts are as capable crossing the Tasman as they are cruising the coastline of New Zealand, exploring its islands, or venturing onward to Fiji and beyond. At the heart of the Grand Banks 54 is V-Warp Technology®, Richards’ proprietary hull design and construction methodology that has redefined performance and efficiency across the brand’s next-generation models. Grand Banks’ proprietary V-Warp Technology® is far more than a hull shape; it is a holistic approach combining advanced hydrodynamics, lightweight carbon fibre construction, and an integrated build process that fuses hull, bulkheads, deck, and superstructure into a single, immensely strong structure. Characterised by a fine bow entry, elegant curvature amidships, and minimal deadrise at the transom, Grand Banks’ V-Warp Technology® delivers a smooth, quiet, and remarkably fuel-efficient ride. Built using unidirectional and multi-axial carbon fibre with a precise resin-to-material ratio, each hull is lighter, stronger, and faster. “With V-Warp Technology®, we no longer ask owners to choose between speed and range,” says Richards. “The Grand Banks 54 is efficient across the entire speed curve — from displacement cruising to speeds exceeding 30 knots — and that versatility is key to how owners actually use their boats.” The performance figures reflect this philosophy. The Grand Banks 54 offers a top speed of approximately 33 knots, a cruising range of nearly 600 nautical miles at 21 knots, and more than 825 nautical miles at 10 knots. Engines are positioned amidships, with a centrally located fuel tank immediately forward, ensuring optimal weight distribution and a near-level running attitude at any speed.
Construction throughout the yacht underscores Grand Banks’ commitment to strength, efficiency, and longevity. Vinylester resins are used exclusively, eliminating polyester entirely and providing superior resistance to heat, corrosion, and water intrusion. Carbon fibre is employed extensively in the deckhouse and flybridge, lowering the centre of gravity while enhancing structural integrity and stability at sea. Available in both Sedan and Flybridge configurations, the Grand Banks 54 offers flexible interior layouts, including a galley-up, three-stateroom arrangement or a galley-down, two-stateroom configuration. Regardless of layout, each yacht is built in close collaboration with the dedicated, factory-direct Grand Banks sales team, ensuring every GB54 reflects the individual needs and cruising ambitions of its owner. Designed with owner-operators in mind, the GB54 features excellent sightlines, intuitive helm ergonomics, and optional shaft or Volvo IPS drives. Joystick controls and refined handling characteristics make close-quarters manoeuvring effortless, while long days underway remain calm, comfortable, and confidence-inspiring. Visitors to the Auckland Boat Show are invited to step aboard the Grand Banks 54 and experience firsthand a motor yacht that represents nearly 70 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and a relentless passion for going further. ■
WHAT OWNERS SAY ABOUT GRAND BANKS
“We love our overnight trips. Recently we came down from Yamba to Sydney, about 300 nautical miles and, although we sat on 24 knots the whole way, we were only burning 100 litres (26 gallons) of fuel an hour!!! The EB44 is the best thing we’ve done for the family… we call it the ‘family wagon’”
MATT SPENCER, EASTBAY 44 OWNER
“This is my 4th Grand Banks and I’ve always liked them – they’re sea-kindly, fast and fuel efficient. But the stuff Mark Richards has done has made them even better. He’s raised the game and they’re now next generation in terms of design. My wife and I love cruising on it – each August we live onboard for 30-40 days. She feels very safe as it has a really nice ride. And we love the style and the lines.”
TOM WHIDDEN, GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER AND 8 TIMES AMERICA’S CUP PRO SAILOR.
“I was in Mexico when COVID hit and had to get home. I had an 1,100nm trip, uphill (upwind & up current) and, let me tell you, the boat did better than I did! I had to keep going day and night. Almost no boat of this size can go from Puerto Vallarta to San Diego non-stop. And thanks to the hull shape and lightweight carbon superstructure, it’s amazingly efficient.”
GARY WEISMAN, GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER
“The range of the boat had huge appeal. Because of the V-WARP Technology® hull that slips so easily through the water, the weight reduction of the carbon fibre and the new Volvo engines, we could simply go further with less stops. Of course, it saves money but the real plus is the convenience. At 10 knots I can travel for over 2000 nautical miles without refuelling. As a sailor, I don’t like to stop once I get going!”
JOHN BACON, GRAND BANKS 60 OWNER