Newbie to group looking for GB 46 Europa or 47 and stabilizer question

[DJT]

Hello Everyone, Thanks for allowing me to join this forum which allows me to learn from all of your experience. As my headline says, I am looking for a GB 46 Europa or 47. Also from those of who have owned either model, how important are stabilizers in looking for the right boat. I know that it is a pricey proposition to add them. Also any other key items important to look for in these boats. Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[mvweebles]

I know of a very experienced sailor and fulltime cruiser with an enormous number of miles (including a circumnavigation) who bought a used GB42 for his young family of 4. They spent a couple years cruising the Caribbean (all of it - laid down a lot of miles). The boat he purchased happened to have Naiad stabilizers which wasn't on his must-have list. He was tremendously thankful for them and wouldn't own another powerboat with stabilization.

That said, a lot depends on how you plan to use the boat. Not a lot of GBs we're stabilized (vs Defevers where stabilizers are common). The family above spent all of their time in open water known for being a bit boisterous. If a loop and a run to the Bahamas is your scene, load up on Dramamine and don't agonize over stabilizers.

Peter

 

[Shrew]

The first question is, do you plan on coastal cruising or offshore cruising? If you're cruising offshore, like a passage or the caribbean, the stabilizers are great. If you're coastal cruising, then they are not as necessary.

I personally think you don't see a lot of stabilized GB's is because, with the exception of the Grand Banks Aleutian, most GB's are coastal cruisers.

 

[Mambo42]

It indeed depends where and how you want to use your boat. If you only go out in good weather and you are in an area where you seas are not rough then you can do without. However, if you really want to go out, far off shore and that can be in rough seas.........you will love stabilizers and once you have them you will never go back anymore.
We did not have them on our Defever 49, but quickly found out we needed them. Even in the marina or port we were rocking and rolling while all other boats were lying quiet, it was embarrassing.
So I did install the stabilizers afterwards, they are zero speed and we basically have them on 24/7 (they are electric). Now we can go out when we want, can anchor where we want, sleep comfortably and even in a port or a marina we now lie rock steady.
At the moment we are lying on the town quay which is not very well protected. Winds were supposed to be max 5 kts, but at the moment I am reading 20 kts again (long live Greek weather forecasting), sea is getting rough, but the stabilizers keep us completely steady.

So to answer your question: if you can find a boat that has stabilizers you will love them and if you install them afterwards it will cost a lot of money, but still 100 % worth it.

 

[Jklotz]

If a loop and a run to the Bahamas is your scene, load up on Dramamine and don't agonize over stabilizers.

Peter

I dunno, we're pretty much doing the AICW and Bahamas, but like to go outside when the weather is nice. Day before yesterday, the weatherman lied and we found ourselves taking it on the beam and 30 miles from an inlet. We survived, nobody got sick, but it wasn't a great deal of fun. I can't do it now, having bought the boat 6 months ago, but stabilizers are definitely on our "to do" list when I can afford them. If I were boat shopping today, stabilizers would be on the must have list.

I do see your point though. If we were just cruising the ICW, I wouldn't bother.

 

[Mambo42]

I can't do it now, having bought the boat 6 months ago, but stabilizers are definitely on our "to do" list when I can afford them.

If you know how to work with GRP and are not afraid to start cutting into your own boat, you could install them yourself. I have spoken with people who have done it and it worked out fine for them. Obviously they did not do it as fast as the official company will do it, but it can be done.
That would cut your cost drastically and perhaps they will become in view again. Not talking about hydraulic stabilizers, am talking about electric fins.
Of course I don't know what your financial capabilities are, but if that would be too much you could also think of bilge boards, at least that would be something.

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard.