We are starting the short list: Question - Grand Banks

[jlightonjr]

Hello Everyone!

Some of you know that I have been a regular 'reader' and 'poster' over the years but have been boat-less since 2001.

I grew up on the Great Lakes when I was a younger guy, spending a lot of time 'up north' with my Dad, our family, and our boating friends.

I am in the process of making a short list of boats and would love some thoughts on Grand Banks.

Hatteras's though my personal favorite, won't work as I need a boat without ladders to the bridge for my Dad. Given we are not in the market for a 75 CPMY I know the Hatts won't work for us - at this time.

First question, what are the groups thoughts on Grand Banks in general?

We have put the later model Grand Banks 47 EU on the list (used, not new ;-)
http://www.grandbanks.com/yachts/heritage/47eu/index.cfm

Would love general thoughts?

-Jack

 

[Boatsb]

Steel fuel tanks rust out and leak. I have not seen one that did not have any rust on the tanks.

 

[jlightonjr]

Steel fuel tanks rust out and leak. I have not seen one that did not have any rust on the tanks.

Interesting, I'll have to take note of that, the later model GB's I was on recently (2007-2008) looked to have what I thought was powder-coated tanks. I'll take note of this.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Jack,
How about a 48MY? Or a 53MY with stairs or a lift on the aft deck to get to the bridge? I have seen both configurations added. Forget the foreign stuff.

 

[jlightonjr]

Jack,
How about a 48MY? Or a 53MY with stairs or a lift on the aft deck to get to the bridge? I have seen both configurations added. Forget the foreign stuff.

Sky is your boat on the market? ;-)

We are not all that keen on the 48 MY there is still too many stairs, down to the salon, up to the bridge, then further, down to the staterooms.

The layout that will work best in this situation is a 'sedan' layout, believe me when I say that the 53EDMY is the #1 boat on my list but the reality is that I want my Dad to be 100% comfortable and we have been toying around with layouts and a sedan with a stair to the bridge is the easiest to get around on.

Sea Rays are out, the bow angling down into the water, among other things, leaves a lot to be desired... We have no need to go fast but we want 15/16 knots (+) when we need it...

Grand Banks was never on my radar screen until I met with a good friend who is a consultant to the marine industry, with a special focus on 'building better boats' he also wrote a book on the subject. Any-how, he turned me onto the Brand as, 'A very well built option.'

We are at step 4 in a 12 step process ;-)

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Have you seen a 53MY with the stairs to the bridge? It can be done and looks pretty nice.

As far as my boat goes, everything is always for sale. The fact of the matter is, however, that I probably want to keep her more than someone else would want to buy her (if you know what I mean).

How about one of the last Tollycrafts? Those might have a layout that would work and they look to be of reasonable quality.

 

[fissioneng]

How about a Sabre 42 hardtop express? Or do you need a flybridge? They also make one with a flybridge (more stair like than ladder like), also a nice 47 Motoryacht with steps.

 

[captddis]

I have no experience with the new GB's, However I have worked on a lot of 70's,80's and 90's models and my FIL bought a new 42Classic in 93 and a 1992 49Classic in 1995. The 42 had 135 Lehmans and the 49 had 3208 N's
AS mentioned they are famous for rusty tanks $$$$$. The window frames outside are wood and require maintenance. The teak and varnish never ends.
The wiring while very pretty is hardware store quality and not tinned.

The cable and pulley steering is very jerky and tiring to steer.
The teak grates in the showers get moldy and smelly and you look down at the sump pump.

They do best as trawlers and are very inefficient with the big engines, but they do move along with the large engines

They have a cult like following and hold their value. They are ship shape looking and always get compliments.

 

[MikeP]

We really wanted a GB when we had our 36ft Mainship and were thinking of something in the 42-45 ft range. But I have to admit we never got into the serious search/research mode before we decided we wanted a 53 Hatt. So we never got involve in the problems that they may have. But everyone seems to really like them and they held their value better than Hatteras's did at the time we were looking ('03-'04).

 

[spartonboat1]

Hello Everyone!

Some of you know that I have been a regular 'reader' and 'poster' over the years but have been boat-less since 2001.

I grew up on the Great Lakes when I was a younger guy, spending a lot of time 'up north' with my Dad, our family, and our boating friends.

I am in the process of making a short list of boats and would love some thoughts on Grand Banks.

Hatteras's though my personal favorite, won't work as I need a boat without ladders to the bridge for my Dad. Given we are not in the market for a 75 CPMY I know the Hatts won't work for us - at this time.

First question, what are the groups thoughts on Grand Banks in general?

We have put the later model Grand Banks 47 EU on the list (used, not new ;-)
http://www.grandbanks.com/yachts/heritage/47eu/index.cfm

Would love general thoughts?

-Jack

There was a story on an elderly boater, late 80's, early 90's, who had elevators installed. Would not a 53' be large enough to support an elevator?

 

[jlightonjr]

I have seen a couple of 53 MY's with the stairs the problem is the general layout, size, number of stairs (around the whole boat) and the desire to have a aft deck / really a cockpit that allows a easy step into the tender.

For a number of reasons we would like to stay in the 50 foot range (max) mostly due to dockage availability around our home here in FL.

I agree with all, GB's were never on my list, ever. I have noticed a significant difference in the GB's built post 2004'ish? I believe around the time they launched their "East Bay" line, late 1990's a lot more of the modern touches and build attributes started to make their way into the GB's. I noticed a very big difference in components in 2000 model year, another very big jump in 2004 (better components/quality) and further attention to detail in 2006+.

We shall see, it is one option.

 

[M T Pockets]

After having owned a 1987 41' convertible for 15 years we just purchased a 47' EU in January and thus far are thrilled with it. She cruises easily at 19/20 knots burning right at 40gph, granted not as efficient as the 41 with 6-71's was at the same speed but close enough, especially given the difference in size and displacement. She is very seaworthy as we found out running her home to the Gulf Coast from Ft. Lauderdale. I'd be more than happy to answer any question I can. We haven't had her long so I'm not super familiar with her yet but I'll be glad to share what I know so far.

Reed

 

[The Hedgehog]

Marquipt makes a stair/elevator combo. It is kind of like a set of stairs where you stand on it and it takes you up. I am sure that it is not cheap but I would consider that premium to be able to do the loop in a Hatt vs many other choices.

 

[jlightonjr]

After having owned a 1987 41' convertible for 15 years we just purchased a 47' EU in January and thus far are thrilled with it. She cruises easily at 19/20 knots burning right at 40gph, granted not as efficient as the 41 with 6-71's was at the same speed but close enough, especially given the difference in size and displacement. She is very seaworthy as we found out running her home to the Gulf Coast from Ft. Lauderdale. I'd be more than happy to answer any question I can. We haven't had her long so I'm not super familiar with her yet but I'll be glad to share what I know so far.

Reed

Reed,

I'll PM ya!

 

[jlightonjr]

Marquipt makes a stair/elevator combo. It is kind of like a set of stairs where you stand on it and it takes you up. I am sure that it is not cheap but I would consider that premium to be able to do the loop in a Hatt vs many other choices.

I know, the 53's are absolutely wonderful but even with a lift it won't work, trust me we have given this a lot of thought.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I know, the 53's are absolutely wonderful but even with a lift it won't work, trust me we have given this a lot of thought.

We're not giving up. You NEED a Hatteras.

 

[stormchaser]

While i LOVE LOVE LOVE my Hatt, I do get that they aren't right for everyone. But, one boat nobody has thrown out there that MIGHT work is a Hatt 48lrc?

 

[jlightonjr]

While i LOVE LOVE LOVE my Hatt, I do get that they aren't right for everyone. But, one boat nobody has thrown out there that MIGHT work is a Hatt 48lrc?

That is a beautiful 48 LRC!!! We need some speed now and again, not planning on cruising much more than 9/10 knots but want 18+ knots when we need it.

Hatteras's will always be the apple of my eye ;-) Sky's exact boat in particular...

 

[M T Pockets]

Reed,

I'll PM ya!

Standing by...
Reed

 

[jlightonjr]

Standing by...
Reed

PM Sent!