GB 32 and 36

Hello, the forum:

*

I am a lifelong sailor, but changes in family situation have me*considering powerboats.* Having looked around a bit, it seems the GB 32 and 36 are good smaller boats that offer a lot for the money.* American Marine seems to have a good rep.* I hope to cruise the ICW (never did it...my mast was always too tall for the fixed bridges!) and spend time in the Bahamas.* There seem to be a lot of 32s and 36s for sale, both wood and glass.* I know the problems (and joys) of wood boats and wonder what to look for in the fiberglass versions...are there problems that are particular to GB?* Any advice welcome.* Many thanks!

We have a 42, 1991, and have chartered a 36. A 36 is a good little boat, and I use little only from the perspective of living space. For us, wife and I, a 36 would get tight after a period. Both have wet bows, just no flare. A good friend has a 32 and it is a fun boat but limited cruiser, in my opinion (and his). If the seas builds at all, we're on the Chesapeake, a 32 will show a lot of her bottom. I would not take a 32 to the Bahamas, a 36 would be OK. American Marine set a high quality standard across the line, things like wiring are a good example. While a 36 from 1980 and one from 1996 ( I think that was the last year but not sure) look similar small improvements can be seen over the years. Pay particular attention to the teak decks on these boats; if they are properly maintained the decks can last 30 years but if not they can cause a lot of headaches.
Bill Noftsinger
Amazing Grace

Changed my mind...no post.


-- Edited by SeaHorse II on Thursday 2nd of February 2012 09:44:10 PM

Welcome aboard Eric, lots of fella's here got GB's. The Grand Banks is pretty similar to the Ocean Alexander so I know you will enjoy the transition from Sail to the Trawler world if your purchase is a GB. Good luck in your search.

Elwin*

bluenorther wrote:
Having looked around a bit, it seems the GB 32 and 36 are good smaller boats that offer a lot for the money.*

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The first thing you need to do if you haven't done it*already is join the Grand Banks owners forum.*http://www.grandbanksowners.com/index.php

The GB forum is the best place on the planet to get info on anything to do with GBs, wood and glass.

Like a Colt revolver, you pay a premium for the GB name and there are other makes that don't have the "image" that are as good, better,*or nearly as good for less money.

However, Grand Banks did not get the reputation it has simply because it has a nice name.* The main thing Grand Banks brought-- and still brings-- to the party is consistency.* Where many makes of cruising boats in the 70s and 80s, particularly some of the makes from Taiwan, had build quality that ranged from very good to really sloppy within the same models and even between hull number 507 and hull number 508, Grand Banks from outset set a high*standard and every boat they made/make adheres to it.

Of course a neglected, abused Grand Banks can be as much a piece of crap as any other make that suffers the same fate.* But looked after, a GB can go a long, long time.* Ours is one of the first fiberglass 36s made and is*39 years old now.* And while it's definitely not perfect, particuarly cosmetically, due mainly to the*California sun that beat down on it for the first 25 years of its life,*it still has its original teak decks and they are in pretty good shape, everything works, and the hull is built like a tank (overbuilt, really).

But get on the GB owners forum and ask any questions you may have.* There are lots of woody and glass owners who participate regularly and some of them have a ton of maintenance, repair, and upgrade experience.* Bob Lowe, for example, one of the forum's founders for years owned and managed Oak Harbor*Boatworks, one of the most experienced yards in the country when I comes to Grand Banks boats, wood and glass, and there isn't much about the boats or shipwright techniques that he doesn't know.

The archives on the GB forum is very useful, too, with easy-to-find discussions on everything from maintaining or replacing teak decks to the care and feeding of Ford Lehman engines to the best way to*replace a water faucet.*

*


-- Edited by Marin on Thursday 2nd of February 2012 11:09:37 PM

Many thanks for the great responses. Like all boats, GBs are bound to have issues particular to them and to be forewarned is, after all, to be fore-armed. I will join the GB owner's forum and will continue reading here. And to Marin...thanks from a proud Python owner.

bluenorther wrote:
And to Marin...thanks from a proud Python owner.

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*When I decided to buy a long-barrel*revolver many years ago in Hawaii for pig hunting I decided to forgo the Colt "image" and instead got a Ruger chambered for the .30 MI cartridge.* Got a great revolver but it doesn't have the cool name