I looked around the flybridge of the Grand Banks 85 Skylounge and counted 14 people as the yacht cruised comfortably at around 21 knots just off the coast of Cannes, France. There was room to spare on this deck inside and out, with an L-shaped lounge, a Vitrifrigo ice maker, and a drawer fridge and freezer creating an alfresco oasis with ocean vistas. Grand Banks CEO Mark Richards was at the bench-style helm seat forward and to starboard, with a view of three Garmin multifunction displays illustrating all mission-critical data on board the yacht and beyond the bow. He had unobstructed sightlines through three gently raked windows. The sky lounge's retractable roof was open, the side windows were open, the aft door was open, and the cross breeze coming off the salt was downright balmy.
This story is from the January 2023 edition of Yachting US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2023 edition of Yachting US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
QUEEN FOR A DAY
Positioned off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, Haida Gwaii proves to be an intoxicating waypoint.
"In the World of Yachting" - 1926
In 1925, Chapman helped run the double-ended Rainbow IV 1,215 miles in a 24-hour endurance race, setting a record.
CARIBBEAN FUN TIMES TWO
No need to pick sides. There's plenty to enjoy in both Saint-Martin and St. Maarten.
TURNING TIDES
The Icon blends BMW's luxury design and Tyde's sustainable propulsion.
STAR LIGHT, DATA BRIGHT
Starlink is making it easier and less expensive for boaters to stay better connected in countless locations.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
Windy Boats'40 Camira RS packs a lot of features across its 40-foot length.
AN EVEN BETTER VIEW
Garmin's GMR xHD3 open-array radars give skippers a clearer picture of what's all around the boat.
SUN RUNNER
Lomac's Turismo 9.5 has bold aesthetics, strong performance and major practicality.
EVERYDAY ESCAPES
Yacht owners rarely need to cruise far for a relaxing change of scenery and a memorable getaway.
SUBTLY SWEET
WITHIN ITS STRIKING EXTERIOR LINES, THE FAIRLINE PHANTOM 65 IS A SPORT-BRIDGE YACHT WITH MANY COMFORTS.
