Grand Alaskan 64

[OPUS]

The live aboard trawler search continues. We are now 18 plus months into being boatless. Who knew in April of 2020 that selling our express cruiser was going to be the easy part of the process.

Anyway after numerous inquiries we have come across an Grand Alaskan 64 that is new to the market and actually for sale! The challenge I’m facing is doing research on the yacht. I have been through a number of old posts on this site and have learned the broker/builder is out of business. From what I can gather they built the hulls in Taiwan and then finished the builds on a semi custom basis in the US at a number of different yards.

Defever designed the hulls and his reputation is outstanding. This boat is powered with 3196 Cats (2,o00 hrs) and spent much of its life in the Great Lakes during the summers and indoor stored in the winters. It’s a 2 owner boat with many upgrades. Looks good in the pictures and we are doing a video walk through with the broker tomorrow.

I was able to locate a Defever user group that listed 4-5 Grand Alaskan owners but I could not find a Grand Alaskan owners site. Other than the YW listing I cannot find any other specifications for the boat. That makes me nervous as I have relied heavily in the past for support from Sabre and Tiara as well as their owner groups to help resolve problems and source parts.

I’m turning to this forum and its tremendous knowledge base in the hope of learning more about this yacht including it’s cruise capabilities and characteristics as well as it’s build quality and reliability.

Thanks

 

[Comodave]

I don’t have any experience with them but can say that many of our previous boats were orphans as far as the builder being out of business. We never really had too much issues with getting parts. Art Defever did design great boats.

 

[sunchaser]

There is a GA owner or two on TF, maybe they'll chime in.

I've some hands on experience with the GAs. The boats (some were totally built in Taiwan- a plus) have so many different combinations of engines, equipment and secondary builders that only a detailed look can tell the tale. At this time the only thought I have is to double check that the 3196s have undergone after cooler upgrades and a recent Cat servicing of the same.

Are there any listing details you could share?

 

[Flatswing]

I believe the DeFevers Owners Forum will be your best bet because of their close ties to Art DeFever. But in reality, these were well designed, seaworthy boats, so it’s will likely depend on how it suits your needs and especially how well it has been maintained.

 

[Addie Kat]

If you are speaking of Queen B, I can tell you that this boat was stored at Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton NY where I keep my boat. It was sold this past fall, 2021 to the current owners. This Vessel was very well maintained by the previous owners and is absolutely stunning. I would definitely take a look at this boat. Not sure why its back up for sale, but I’m pretty certain it was turn key when it left the dock this past fall.

 

[w8n4sun]

We have owned our 2000 for 3 years now and have a good handle on her, feel free to ask any questions you may have. Very happy with the decision thus far.

 

[Peter B]

If you are speaking of Queen B, I can tell you that this boat was stored at Winter Harbor Marina in Brewerton NY where I keep my boat. It was sold this past fall, 2021 to the current owners. This Vessel was very well maintained by the previous owners and is absolutely stunning. I would definitely take a look at this boat. Not sure why its back up for sale, but I’m pretty certain it was turn key when it left the dock this past fall.

We have owned our 2000 for 3 years now and have a good handle on her, feel free to ask any questions you may have. Very happy with the decision thus far.

So, there you go. Reassuring info already. But as Comodave said, you still need to approach each vessel on its own merits, and maintaining them often requires quite a bit of free-style in the approach, because boats are not like vehicles that have come off an assembly line, where models are virtually identical, as are the sorts of issues that might arise and parts they share. Most boats are virtually unique in themselves, even if they share the same name with some others, as so many 'customised' decisions/choices have gone into the build.

 

[Adopo]

My advice would be to get busy, if this boat is really as nice as they say, it will not last long even in the face of the new scare from our gov on the bleak black winter headed our way. It may already have an offer in. Uncertainty sometimes goes the opposite way you think.

UPDATE: I just heard from the broker, one offer in now, it will not last long it if really is that good. The only thing she said that I had a question about was that the bow has been awgriped, and blended with the gel coat. Not sure how that will look, but maybe just perfect. All boats will eventually need to be painted I suppose as the gelcoat wears. After all it is approaching 21, but has the benefit of fresh water and covered storage from the Great Lakes? Beautiful, go for it now! Don't wait for the perfect boat like me, this might be it for you guys. Final note, brokers comments are selling due to a partnership dissolving for unforeseen events but of course find the best surveyor who knows the Alaskans. I'm sure this forum can help you with this.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-grand-alaskan-raised-pilothouse-8156584/

 

[bowball]

That Alaskan definitely looks great. If that was a Fleming it would be much more expensive, and yet looks comparable. The newer electronics are an expensive item as well. The one thing I might change in the future is to upgrade the crane to one that is extendable etc, which is a $40,000 item.

 

[OPUS]

Thanks to everyone for providing information on the Grand Alaskan. We did a video walkthrough with the broker on Monday. The boat was as advertised including a complete rebuild of both engines as a result of the after coolers not passing the survey. I had some concerns as her fuel tanks (5) are iron but we decided to make an offer of 90% of asking price. We were out bid by another offer at full asking price.

Sign of the times

 

[bowball]

Any regrets missing out? I hope not. Sometimes I bid low knowing I don’t really want the item. Or I’m still learning about the market.

It’s tough bidding below ask on excellent boats just listed in hot markets. The extra $ difference may be small compared to the knowledge of knowing you have an excellent boat. I probably overpaid for what I bought but I did so knowing the full maintenance background and since it was excellent condition. That is like paying for insurance and peace of mind. You forget the extra price sooner than the quality imho. In other words, to me, an extra 10% won’t make a good decision bad or vice versa.

But that’s just my philosophy which isn’t the only one.

I hope you find your perfect one.

 

[FoxtrotCharlie]

Beautiful boat - sorry you missed it.

 

[long-cours.62]

No problem ! Our's is still for sale

 

[Mako]

No problem ! Our's is still for sale

With the added advantage that the buyer gets to pick it up in Europe [emoji846]

 

[long-cours.62]

Yes...but

" Diesel tanks 9000 lt (able to made an Atlantic crossing, could be delivered every where, depending only ...covid restrictions )"