49 vs 47 GB

Just re-posted to redo the title line.
Hi, I will just get to it here: I have been boating for 45 years in various sport fishing boats, but now at 66 my wife and I would like to make the journey about the trip itself and not so much the destination. With that said we are considering a 1985 49' GB," FIVE STAR" and a 2007 47' GB, "CHANGES". we live in Destin,Fl. so our trips will start with the first 250 NM with pretty much a beam sea. My wife has had lower abdominal surgery so the ride is important, although she is in good health now. I have no info on the ride of the 47 as I am aware it has a redesigned hull. so 17 knots cruise is available when needed whereas the 49 is 9 to 11 knots. I am hoping to get some good information from owners instead of brokers. I would greatly appreciate any advise and suggestions. Thanks

THe first thing you need to do is join the Grand Banks owners association, IAGBO (International Association of Grand Banks Owners) Grand Banks Owner's Resources Any questions you have about any GB product will get answers from people who have been using, working on, repairing, restoring, upgrading--- you name it--- these boats for decades. There are people on that forum who have 47s and 49s as well as every other model.

Bob Lowe (one of the founders of the forum) is particularly knowledgeable about GBs because for years he owned and operated Oak Harbor Boatworks, one of the country's premier yards for doing virtually everything that needs to be done on both wood and fiberglass GBs.

There is also another GB owners forum administered by Grand Banks themselves. GB Beacon | Home for Grand Banks enthusiasts across the globe You want the "Discussion Forums." This forum is not as active as the IAGBO but they have a resident expert, Mike Negley, who is as knowledgeable and experienced as Bob.m So it may pay to join both of them. But for sure join the IAGBO. It's the best GB resource on the planet.

Merion thank you for the heads up, have joined as the name we will use on our new GB and that is SERINA.