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 centred 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.
Grand Banks 54 Flybridge
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.
The GB54 flybridge combines clear sightlines with a well-designed helm and generous space for entertaining.
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.
Designed with owner-operators in mind, the GB54 features excellent sightlines from large windows and a helmsman’s side door for quick deck access in all weathers.
Available in both Sedan and Flybridge configurations, the Grand Banks 54 offers flexible interior layouts, including a galley-up, three-stateroom arrangement or a galleydown, 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.
https://www.grandbanks.com/events/auckland-boat-show-2026
The Grand Banks 54 saloon features understated luxury with sumptuous white upholstery and teak flooring.
