Grand Banks GB85 Skylounge Review (2022 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

Boarding takes place via the passerelle, ideal for stern-to mooring. At the aft cockpit, there’s a large table with a Grand Banks inset and an adjacent bar station with configurable fridge or freezer units, a sink, and additional storage. The overhangs above provide shelter, while the design flows directly into the salon through sliding glass doors.

On the upper deck, the aft section is open and flexible. It can take a tender via crane, or serve as a lounging space with sunbeds. There’s another well-equipped bar area up here too, with fridges, an ice maker, and even a second dishwasher. Views from this height are commanding, particularly when anchored.

Side deck access includes a clever docking station just outside the galley, where you can operate the boat using a joystick while standing on the deck. The bow features traditional sweeping lines, stainless steel deck gear, and a recessed anchor winch. The styling holds true to the Grand Banks DNA - lots of curves and a solid, timeless presence.

A fixed bathing platform at the stern features tender chocks, and the whole area can be reconfigured depending on how the owner wants to store toys or run tenders. A cantilevered system assists with launching.

The interior leans heavily into Grand Banks’ signature aesthetic - dark timber, solid joinery, and a sense of traditional craftsmanship. The main salon is warm and comfortable, with ceiling-mounted handrails and traditional detailing throughout.

Just forward of the salon is the dining area, again marked by dark and pale wood contrast and a GB monogrammed panel built into the tabletop. Storage is extensive - drawers, lockers, and dedicated spaces for crockery and wine.

The galley is located on the main deck, without a helm to interrupt its footprint. It includes a hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher, extractor fan, and multiple refrigeration units, including a freezer. Storage tucks into every available space, including recessed panels with lift-up lids. The side deck door beside the galley houses the joystick docking station, giving the cook or owner easy access to step outside and assist with close-quarters manoeuvring.

Upstairs, the upper lounge is a more relaxed space with large seating, a pop-up TV to create a cinema-style setup, and its own bar with yet another fridge and dishwasher. The sunroof opens at a button-press, and the windows can drop for fresh air. The whole space can also be fully closed and air-conditioned.

Owner's Cabin

The owner's suite is accessed via a set of stairs aft on the lower deck. It’s traditionally styled and generously proportioned. There's a dedicated writing desk or vanity station, a wall-mounted TV, and deep hanging lockers. The ensuite includes twin sinks, a separate shower, and a WC. A glass partition between the ensuite and cabin can switch between transparent and opaque for full control over privacy without sacrificing any light.

Guest Accommodation

The forward VIP occupies the bow and has ample storage, including hanging lockers and drawers, plus a private ensuite with shower and WC. Midships, a third guest cabin features similar proportions, with another ensuite bathroom and good wardrobe space. Grand Banks resisted overfilling the layout, resulting in full-size guest spaces with great headroom and generous footprint.

There is also a fourth guest or utility/storage cabin off the passage to the owner’s suite.  

Crew Accommodation

Crew quarters sit aft and are accessed via two routes: through the cockpit or the bathing platform. The space includes laundry facilities, a compact galley with microwave, fridge and TV, and a mess area for off-watch downtime. There are two separate cabins. One is set up as a captain’s double, the other as a French double, but both can be reconfigured with twin bunks to suit the crew structure. A shared head is located centrally. For an 85-foot yacht, it’s a well-finished and useful.

The engine space is divided into twin rooms with separate access doors either side of the toy store. This layout keeps the central area clear for gear and makes the whole volume more usable than a traditional full-beam engine room. Twin generators are fitted.

The review boat was equipped with Volvo Penta IPS 1350s - each rated at 1,000hp. These deliver a top speed of around 27 knots. Fast cruising sits at 20-21 knots, providing roughly 1,000 nautical miles of range. Drop that to 10 knots and the range stretches to around 2,500 nautical miles, ideal for displacement-style passages. The IPS pods are clearly visible just aft of the engine bulkhead, and all servicing points like filters are easy to reach.

Shaft-drive MAN engines are also available, depending on buyer preference.

The Grand Banks 85 leaves plenty of room for owner input, and one of the first big decisions is propulsion. You can have it with Volvo Penta IPS 1350s or go the more traditional route with shaft-drive MAN engines. IPS brings joystick control, a more compact engine installation, and better fuel economy at higher speeds. Shaft-drive might suit those who prefer mechanical simplicity and want the reassurance of widespread service access.

Running costs depend on how the boat’s set up and how you plan to use it. With IPS 1350s, fuel burn at 20–21 knots comes in around 110 litres an hour (about 29 US gallons), and drops right back to around 34 litres an hour if you slow down to 10 knots. That gives you up to 2,500 nautical miles range at displacement speed. Shaft-drive setups, by comparison, use about 20–30% more fuel at planing speeds, which adds up fast.

Servicing is another consideration. The IPS pods need an annual check-up so budget around $2,500–3,000 for both. Every five years or so, you’ll want to factor in a more involved service, like clutch or seal replacements, which adds another €1,000 per engine. Shaft-drive, on the other hand, is much simpler to maintain. Fewer electronics, fewer moving parts, and lower costs overall like zincs, cutless bearings, that sort of thing.

All in, the yearly running costs for a yacht like this usually land somewhere between $500,000 and $1,000,000. That covers fuel, insurance, dockage, haul-outs, crew salaries, and maintenance. Keep it light, run with a lean crew and at slower speeds, and you’ll stay towards the lower end. Push the pace and keep a full team aboard, and the numbers will start to climb.

This first Grand Banks 85 sets the tone for the series - refined, practical, and full of thoughtful detailing. The traditional styling is married to modern equipment, and performance sits well above typical expectations for a semi-displacement cruiser of this size. IPS control and clever deck access make short-handed operation viable, while the split engine rooms and full-sized crew quarters suggest real offshore intent. From the sweeping exterior lines to the depth of fit-out below, this is a serious owner’s boat, built to go the distance.