Catamarans Articles
As the brisk sea breeze sings its tantalising siren song, and the glittering expanse of the ocean invites the bravest to test their mettle, Australia’s very own BONDS Flying Roos cut a suave and confident figure. Their stated intent for the upcoming SailGP Grand Final is as clear as the crystal transparent waters they navigate: ‘Stay focused, and we win’.
Helmed by the adept Tom Slingsby, the team is braced for the electrifying weekend showdown. Despite pressure from sailing powerhouses like Emirates GBR, the Black Foils, and Los Gallos, Slingsby steers clear of the turbulent waters of mind games and psychological warfare. His mantra of focus and execution rings loud and proud above the din of the highly charged pre-event atmosphere.
The world of family boating has seen a tremendous innovation. Witness the Grand Banks 54 yacht. This vessel, the smallest member of the Grand Banks Cruiser range, deceivingly bears a 54-foot designation but offers the space of a much larger 60-foot counterpart and, astonishingly, feels even roomier. Utilising a planing V-Warp hull and a light carbon-fiber-reinforced frame, the Grand Banks 54 is not a slow boat by any standard. It can reach a top speed of a staggering 32 knots.
Added to this, the Grand Banks 54 maintains its quality construction, typical of its brand, combining style and practicality with the values that seasoned boat owners truly appreciate. With a substantial fuel capacity of 3,500 litres, the yacht stands the potential to continue cruising to distances over 500 nautical miles at 22 knots or a whopping 1,000 nautical miles if sailing at 12 knots.