Another Newbe Doug Martin

[Doug Martin]

Originally Posted by Greg Lemons

High Doug
My name is Greg Lemons, my boat's name is Malindy and she lives in Madisonville, LA. She is a 1973 Grand Banks 42'. I have been restoring her back to as close to original as possible? I have information that she is the oldest Grand Banks still floating? I have just retired for the 3rd time and my plans are to do the Great Loop singlehanded!

At a vintage 1973 it is truely a classic . It was around those years where fibreglass was just starting to be the norm so is your a woody or glass? Taking on restoring a vintage vessel would be a big challenge as well as rewarding when all done . I’ll likely be asking myself and shacking my head at times why we are doing our project in the end I like the older designs and character they bring with them so I’m good .

[Ftbinc]

Hi doug
Welcome. Always nice to see another big freshwater/big water member. (We are in Chicago and too the plunge last year. We are still active sailboat racers, but have a foot in the dark side now as well.

Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Doug Martin

Hi there . My wife and I are transitioning from sail to trawler and just purchased a 1983 Monk 36 in Midland Ont. Looking forward to the adventure as we will be doing a complete refit when we get to our home port Bayfield and Harbor Lights Marina on the shores of Lake Huron . Looking forward to this forum and learning all we can about our new adventure .

[Exctyengr]

Allow me to add my welcome. You have selected a very fine boat for your venture. My wife and I have spent many pleasant weeks about a chartered Monk 36 up in BC. A great boat, comfortable for its size, easy to handle and economic. Good luck with the refit, leaky fuel tanks is a big job.
Keep us fellow TFers posted on your progress.

[RossWilson]

You bought a great brand. I enjoyed our Monk 42 out of Midland for the past 2 seasons and grew to very much appreciate the quality build. I only sold her to downsize to something more easily managed. Now seriously considering a 2006 Mainship 34 with twin Yanmars and bow and stern thrusters. I wish you many happy years of boating.

[Doug Martin]

The serveral trips we made to WYE HERITAGE MARINA this winter to do nothing buy look at the boat under shrink wrap and snow and wiggle ourselves inside to a very cold cabin was all worth the drive and as spring approaches we cant wait to see the whole boat . Looking forward to this spring and let the adventure begin . Also we made the right decision to join this forum as everyone has being more than willing to share information on what we getting ourselves into . Thanks to all!

[BuoyOBuoy]

Welcome Doug and the best of luck.
Two years ago I took the big plunge, buying a '79 Mainship 34 after 25 years of sailing. I bought her in Baltimore and brought her home to Toronto via the Hudson and the Erie Canal. Never had ever driven a trawler even once before. Luckily I had a frequent TF contributor (David Marchand) as co-captain for the first half of the trip. Learned so much that I was able to bring her up through the 30 locks on the Erie Canal and across Lake Ontario with a mate. I have been restoring her to her former glory and have made numerous single handed cruises to different ports.
The point of all this is to let you know you have done the right thing and about all the fun you are going to have.