New member, Grand Banks 42 Europa

Hello
I am new, just bought a 1972 Grand Banks 42 Europa which needs to be refurbished. Alas, I am not very handy. I know you will say, so why buy an old wooden boat. For charm, quality ... and I don't know what else.

Welcome to TF. Or, should I say...Bienvenue au Forum Trawler. Having a familiarity with the GBs, most of us completely understand someone wanting to bring a fine old lady back to her best. I see you are in France. Through TF, I developed a treasured pen-friend type of relationship with a lovely French family who actually have a GB 46 classic, moored at Antibes. As a result, when we managed to get over there, we actually visited them in Sanary-sur-Mer, enjoyed some amazing hospitality, and have been aboard their GB. The 42 is very similar. I love those vessels.

The above is just one other beneficial outcome of participating on this forum. One can make friends..!

Welcome aboard! You are in France?

As the owner of a boat that is slightly older than yours, albeit mine is fiberglass, I feel your pain on refurbishment. For me, I took the boat to Mexico and have been working on upgrades, repairs, and modernization for over a year now. It's been a significant cost outlay, but I am pleased with the results thus far.

I like Sedan layout boats. I didn't realize GB did a Europa version that early. Congrats, and welcome to the forum. It's been a good information source for me along the way.

Happy holidays

Peter

True, the sedan type boats were much rarer back then, but we kept looking until we found a 1975 Clipper (CHB) 34 of that style. Interestingly, this style tends to be the norm these days.

S Gandalf we just love photos. In fact we have a saying on here, "no photos - it didn't happen".

I refer you to the sticky thread re 'Posting Pictures' in the 'How to use the forum, etc', section just under the 'Welcome Mat' section.

It is a pleasure to come among you. My big Banks is moored at Gruissan. We just bought it (not too expensive) and found out everything that the previous owner didn't tell us (explanation of the not too expensive). There is carpentry and carpentry work to be done even if there is no major disaster. The engines are original but seem to run well. Some equipment needs to be modernized.
We currently have a big problem with diesel leaks because the tanks are oxidized. The boat has been repaired several times, the electrical circuit changed but without indicating how. In short we have everything to discover and if I had the owner's manual that would suit me.

I try to put some photos but don't know where they are now.

S.Gandalf said:

I try to put some photos but don't know where they are now.

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Aaah, the joys of discovery...hopefully you won't find too much bad stuff. Leaky tanks are always a bit problematic though. Might be able to be repaired..?

The easiest way to load photos is from the photo files on your computer. Otherwise, if you have some saves to a special photo cloud-based location, you can link the URL of the photos you want uploaded to TF, but I have not done it that way, so not much help to you. Others on here may well have though.

mvweebles said:

I like Sedan layout boats. I didn't realize GB did a Europa version that early. Congrats, and welcome to the forum. It's been a good information source for me along the way.

Happy holidays

Peter

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I came across this from an old American Marine News magazine (predecessor to Spray). It is from the vol 6 issue 3 which is undated but from the articles appears to be form late 1972 or early 1973.

Bonjour et bienvenue.

I guess it’s your current Grand Banks 42’ Europa but 11 years ago already in Gruissan at that time.

It’s a small world.

Bonne chance et bon courage

HI
Thanck you for the message
no, it is not our GB 42 but look so similar.
Best regards

S.Gandalf said:

HI
Thanck you for the message
no, it is not our GB 42 but look so similar.
Best regards

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Since you are French and a newbie as well which is a double penalty here, I strongly advice you to wear a bullet-proof jacket, just in case

Good luck !

S.Gandalf said:

Hello
I am new, just bought a 1972 Grand Banks 42 Europa which needs to be refurbished. Alas, I am not very handy. I know you will say, so why buy an old wooden boat. For charm, quality ... and I don't know what else.

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..."je ne sais quoi" would have done nicely..?

we are happy, but worried.

Welcome aboard and congrats on your new boat. I think you are just about to get a crash course in boat repair and maintenance, good luck and post some photos of your new baby.

S.Gandalf said:

we are happy, but worried.

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I think worried/happy is the way many boat owners feel much of the time. Even when things appear to be going ok, you wonder what the next thing to break down or need fixing will be. C'est la vie, mon amie.

yes c'est exactement cela,