Grand Banks 62 Reviewed

With the 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 engines the GB62 has a shallow draft of 4 feet, 7 inches. Courtesy Grand Banks / Zach Stovall

There’s a kind of quiet confidence that defines the Grand Banks ethos. It’s one that resists flash in favor of function, and real-world use over dockside drama. The GB62 Flybridge, the latest in the builder’s growing V-Warp series, leans heavily into that sensibility. At nearly 67 feet length overall, it’s a cruising yacht designed not to impress with gimmicks but instead to travel long distances efficiently, comfortably and safely.

This is a boat for owners with ambition. “We’re not building showpieces,” says Grand Banks CEO Mark Richards. “We’re building cruising yachts: easy to run, efficient to own and capable of going the distance.” Indeed, the vessel I was aboard was headed straight from the builder’s commissioning facility in Stuart, Florida, to its owner’s favorite cruising grounds off Newport, Rhode Island.

The finish in the staterooms is classic: teak joinery, matte finishes, soft lighting and understated fabrics. Courtesy Grand Banks / Zach Stovall

From the outside, the 62 Flybridge is unmistakably Grand Banks. It’s low-slung, lean and purposeful. Look closer, and those signature design elements become even more apparent. The side decks are easy to navigate and protected from above by a wide overhang. And the hull, built using infused vinylester resin, is a weight-conscious, performance-oriented evolution of the builder’s V-Warp platform. The design is a natural evolution for Richards, a sailing champion and chief designer for the brand.

Stepping inside the salon reveals a focus on simplicity and flow with open sightlines. Opposing settees aft and a galley to port bring a social logic to the main deck. Everything here is designed for movement. Meals can be served inside or out, traffic flows unobstructed from the salon to the cockpit, and the galley is well-positioned to serve both. One cool feature: Hidden stowage over the countertop lowers electrically with the push of a button.

The hull design has a sharp entry with flatter aft sections for efficient planing and minimal drag. Courtesy Grand Banks / Zach Stovall

The 54-by-30-inch aft window also lowers electrically, allowing cool breezes and conversations to flow naturally. The GB 62 that I was aboard had satin-finished teak throughout the interior, another Grand Banks signature look.

The helm is practical and understated: dual Stidd chairs and excellent visibility. A pair of 22-inch Garmin multifunction displays provided all the necessary data at a glance, while the controls for the Humphree interceptors and stabilizers, as well as the joystick and other instrumentation, were all within easy reach. A sliding side door offers quick access to the 19-inch-wide decks and beefy welded stainless-steel rails.

The 62 cruises easily at 21 knots, burning 43 gallons per hour. Top hop? 31 knots. Courtesy Grand Banks / Zach Stovall

Belowdecks, the accommodations reflect the same thoughtful approach. The full-beam master stateroom is positioned amidships—low in the hull for minimal motion at anchor—with an island queen berth and an en suite head with a separate shower. A queen-berth VIP stateroom is far forward, with a third stateroom to starboard. The finish is classic: teak joinery, matte finishes, soft lighting and understated fabrics.

The GB62’s flybridge is 10 steps up from the cockpit. It has a full upper helm station with additional Garmin electronics. This vessel also had a full custom EZ2CY enclosure for cool-weather cruising. The flybridge aft has a sun pad with stowage beneath, and a 12-foot tender with a crane. Atop the lightweight fiberglass hardtop is a solar array to feed power to the Victron energy-management system while underway or at the dock.

Fine woodwork is a Grand Banks signature. This satin-finished teak interior is one of numerous options. Courtesy Grand Banks / Zach Stovall

Back on the main deck, the cockpit is shaded and proportioned well for outdoor dining. With the salon doors open and aft window down, the entire main deck becomes a single, open living area.

The 62 Flybridge rides on the same warped semi-displacement hull form introduced on the GB60—a design intended to deliver speed and good seakeeping across a broad range, while the 62’s slightly longer waterline length increases efficiency. Standard power is a pair of 900 hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels with straight shafts. (Optional are 1,000 hp Volvo Pentas, which were the power of choice for the vessel I was aboard.) Either way, the drivetrain is straightforward, with generous access to all maintenance points in the engine room and machinery spaces belowdecks. Noise and vibration reduction is also a particular focus. The 62 has cored bulkheads and sound-deadening insulation throughout, making it notably quiet underway. At the helm, I measured just 70 decibels at cruise, just above normal conversation levels.

The 62 is quiet, with 70 decibels—just above the level of conversation—at the helm at cruising speeds. Courtesy Grand Banks / Zach Stovall

Pushing the throttles forward, the GB62 planes at 15.5 knots, and the running angle remains relatively flat throughout. Handling is tight and predictable, with minimal wheel movements needed to maintain course. At 1,800 rpm and 60 percent engine load, we saw 21 knots and a fuel burn of 43 gallons per hour, which I felt was a respectable long-range cruising speed. Bumping up to 2,150 rpm and 78 percent load, the yacht hit a fast cruise of 26.5 knots. At wide-open throttle, the GB62 galloped along at 31 knots. For long-range passagemaking, pull the sticks back to a 10-knot displacement speed, and the range jumps to more than 1,000 nautical miles with a 10 percent reserve. The draft of less than 5 feet means shallow-water anchorages are within easy reach as well.

Amenities abound on the Grand Banks 62 Flybridge, but the boat is also refreshing in its restraint. For anyone seeking a fast cruiser with offshore credibility, a highly livable interior and a top-end builder’s pedigree, this yacht is a compelling benchmark in its class. 

Tech Brief: V-Warp Hull

CEO Mark Richards and the design team developed the V-Warp hull design. It marries a sharp entry with flatter aft sections for efficient planing and minimal drag. Combined with lightweight construction, including the use of carbon fiber above the waterline, the V-Warp design is designed for high-speed cruising with low fuel burn and good stability.

Power Up

The Victron energy system is a modular power ecosystem with core components that include inverters, charger controllers, battery monitors and communication modules. Whether charging from shore power, solar, a generator or an alternator, the system safely and efficiently regulates charging, isolating shore supplies if necessary. When paired with compatible lithium batteries, they share real-time data—including state of charge, voltage, temperature and more—with Victron inverters and chargers. This integration allows for intelligent power management.

A Turnkey Turnover

For owners who want a vessel that’s ready to set off on a cruise, Grand Banks yachts can come with crockery, cutlery, glassware, towels and bedding. The company also offers two-day training with the vessel’s commissioning team. New owners have the option of staying in guest rooms ashore at the Grand Banks facility in Stuart, Florida, while outfitting the boat with their personal gear and familiarizing themselves with the ship’s systems under the guidance of the GB team.

Take the next step: grandbanks.com

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