Grand Banks 42

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By my count, I am the third person on this thread with hands-on experience with a wooden GB and the second with experience on the 42. I bought my 1972 when it was a mere 14 years old, a far, far different proposition that buying it today. I think the GB woodies were as well built as any boat on the planet, IN THEIR DAY. That day has passed. I loved mine for 29 years, and sold it to a fellow who continued to enjoy it. There is no way on earth I would buy one today, because I don't have the energy and/or money to spare to keep it in good condition.

The 120-HP Ford-Lehman is a great engine, and I would look very suspiciously at the idea of changing the fuel delivery system with the idea that 15 HP. Unless blessed by Brian at American Diesel, pass this one by because who knows what sort of stresses the poor of 120-HP frame has been exposed to with this tinkering.

As to fiberglass vs wood, my brother has a fiberglass GB42 (1985), and I have a goodly number of hours on it too. No difference in how it rides. LOTS of difference in the hours and dollars he has to spend on it than I did. Again, no woodies for me again - it was fun while it lasted....

If you buy this boat, plan on buying the boat at least twice in the first few years you own it.
 
I have a 1973 GB36 which is glass. I have seen other posts of 1973 GB which are wood. I had heard that 1973 was the transition year but it seems the transition came at different times for different models.
 
Nomad Willy said:
Pitfalls on FG boats are many and expensive too … less so but overall they are probably much the same. Of the top if a fire was to start in my boat I’d much rather it be wood. Doing structural repairs most of us would do better working w wood. But there’s hard to do FG work and wood work too. Leaks are worse on a wood boat but generally not much trouble to fix … just time consuming.

But when it comes to the pleasures of owning the boat wood has a huge advantage starting w very noticeable lack of noise. When you go for many many hours underway w a large diesel engine that feature could easily win a skipper over. Cruising the wood boat typically makes noises of a softer less harsh nature. With a FG boat you’d probably be inclined to ask if the boat had much sound insulation. Speaking of noise you could probably make a FG boat about equal to a wood boat but sound reducing insulation is not cheap and you’d need a lot of it.

But I think everyone knows painting and varnishing is a big job and is not something one can ignore as mildew and wood rot will take over. I’ve known families to make quick work of it tho.

When thinking about wood boats I can say (at my age) if I was to have a new boat built and had the money it would be wood. I could easily make it last 40 yrs and I won’t last even half that long. :blush:
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I have never heard of a fiberglass boat sinking due to rot.
 
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GB42 said:
Hi everyone,

This my first post here and I'm considering buying a 1964 Grand Banks 42 that i looked at. Owner says it was the last wooden hull (i was under the impression that Grand Banks went to fiberglass in 1963). Any thoughts? Does anyone know a survivor they would recommend (boat is in Los Angeles, CA)?
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I will echo what seems to be the majority of opinion here. Unless you are very familiar with wooden boats and have a particular love for them, and also have specific skills or a deep, deep checkbook, I would steer clear. The modified FL is the icing on the cake for what would be my decision.
 
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"When thinking about wood boats I can say (at my age) if I was to have a new boat built and had the money it would be wood. I could easily make it last 40 yrs and I won’t last even half that long. :blush:[/QUOTE]

I have had both wood and glass boats. As stated there are advantages for both. But I think the cost of a "New Wood Boat" would be outrageous. So you are looking at 1970s wood boats as the youngest on the market. This in itself is an issue. However, if one is having issues docking a wood boat, try looking at private docks. They are fewer and in high demand but this could be a solution to your docking problems. I have a private dock and wouldn't have an issue with a wood boat that was properly cared for.
 
I think it depends on if you want to be a "boater" or a "wooden boater". Woodies can be great for those that appreciate their qualities. For those people the attributes outweigh the detrimements. It's like a classic car. Owning a '57 Chevy is great for some, but its not a great means of transportation any more....its a hobby and a lifestyle. If you like classic manual watches you'd be thrilled to have a 50 year old Rolex, but if you want an accurate and dependable time piece you get a modern quartz watch.

To the OP: unless you aspire to be a wooden boat owner, don't do it. If you just want to get into boating plastic is fantastic. Wood has advantages and disadvantages and if you are not looking to appreciate those specific advantages, I think you will regret it. There's a very active Grand Banks owners forum. Spend some time there. Give more weight to the comments of the people who recently purchased their boat. The people that have owned their boats for 30+ years have boats that are well maintained. The new owners have boats with an unknown maintenance history, which would be more applicable to your situation. Good Luck!
 
GB42 said:
Hi everyone,

This my first post here and I'm considering buying a 1964 Grand Banks 42 that i looked at. Owner says it was the last wooden hull (i was under the impression that Grand Banks went to fiberglass in 1963). Any thoughts? Does anyone know a survivor they would recommend (boat is in Los Angeles, CA)?
Click to expand...

There is a wooden boat forum, sponsored by the magazine "WoodenBoat", and there was a thread with a similar question yours, except it was about a wooden GB Alaskan:

Grand Banks Alaskan

( sorry, for some reason I couldn't get the link to automatically work, but if you cut and past that address you should get to the thread.)

Might make for some interesting reading.

PNK
 
RonObrian wrote,
“But I think everyone knows painting and varnishing is a big job and is not something one can ignore as mildew and wood rot will take over. I’ve known families to make quick work of it tho.”

Not talking bout FG.
 
Cold Duck said:
I have had both wood and glass boats. As stated there are advantages for both. But I think the cost of a "New Wood Boat" would be outrageous. So you are looking at 1970s wood boats as the youngest on the market. This in itself is an issue. However, if one is having issues docking a wood boat, try looking at private docks. They are fewer and in high demand but this could be a solution to your docking problems. I have a private dock and wouldn't have an issue with a wood boat that was properly cared for.
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Re: sentence in red above. Wooden boats have been built here in Queensland for a long time and many since the 1970's. And new ones are still being built also. The link below is to one that was completed a few months ago.
https://www.anchorline.com.au/boats/2022-r-c-masters-32/

There are still lots of wooden boat around here, and people who can work on them if you are not inclined to do it yourself. They can bring very good prices when well maintained.
 
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Nomad Willy said:
RonObrian wrote,
“But I think everyone knows painting and varnishing is a big job and is not something one can ignore as mildew and wood rot will take over. I’ve known families to make quick work of it tho.”

Not talking bout FG.
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I think you may be talking about me? I'm not sure where you got that but I didn't say that.
 
Our marina, Van Isle is Sidney BC, has some very nice wooden vessels berthed. This area has wooden boat specialists. They are indeed a labor of love and money but worth it for the owners.

As Brian pointed out, Port Townsend has many good wooden vessel artisans. I’d hazard a guess that a quality wooden 1974 GB would average at least $30K per year in overall maintenance over its 25 year newer FRP brethren. For many, provided they’re in woodie country, these costs are worth it.

Is SoCal with wooden boat specialists?
 
In San Diego there is Kohler Kraft who specialize in wooden boats, but that's about it down here. They have a railway but it has limited ability. I would think it can easily handle a GB 42 though.
 
Why is a railway necessary ? My family boat growing up was a wooden Pacemaker 36 and our yacht club changed from railway to strap lifter thingy and we had no issues. Probably 50% of the club was wooden boats.
 
When that Pacemaker was new, hauling in a sling lift probably wasn't an issue. Today, because many timber vessels are old, using a railway or hydraulic trailer, is far friendlier to these aged hulls. I've witnessed a handful of scenarios where wooden vessels were damaged by slings, in some cases irreparably. That's not the slings fault per se.
More on hauling here https://stevedmarineconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Hauling-Blocking199-EDFINAL.pdf
 
Steve DAntonio said:
When that Pacemaker was new, hauling in a sling lift probably wasn't an issue. Today, because many timber vessels are old, using a railway or hydraulic trailer, is far friendlier to these aged hulls. I've witnessed a handful of scenarios where wooden vessels were damaged by slings, in some cases irreparably. That's not the slings fault per se.
More on hauling here https://stevedmarineconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Hauling-Blocking199-EDFINAL.pdf
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Yep - see attached picture showing chine log crushed by slings on an 82-foot McQueen motoryacht.

Peter
Saturday - compression from travel lift.jpg
 
Ill try to cover a few points.
- GB 42s went to fiberglass mid 73. Some 73s are wood and some are glass. I have Hull #3 made of glass.
- I love wooden boats but would only recommend them to someone who is specifically passionate about wood boats and; has deep pockets or loves woodworking.
- The oil change interval on the Simms diesel pump on 120s is 50hrs. Subsequently the 135s and later use different pumps that get oil from the sump eliminating this service. I had 2 120s and now have 2 135s.
- The proper way to service the Simms on the 120 is to open the bleed screw at 50hrs and if oil comes out then there is diesel in the oil and you change it. If not, screw it back in and check again in another 50.
 
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Gb 42

$30K of maintainence/yr would make a boat shine for sure. 1972 Inara is 42-279. I was lucky to get the word the boat was available listed on craigslist with a dozen photos. I was instantly ready to fly to Vegas, meet and get contract on, subject to sea trail and survey. When I bought the PO had invested time and money refurbishing although put few cruising hours on. His answer as to why he was selling is 'it's too slow.' That was 5 1/12 yrs ago. Within a couple months I noticed on my newly painted and varnished boat, had a new 3" long crack in the paint on the cabin. I put a piece on tape on it. Wasn't till I retired I got around to prep/paint exterior cabin. Since I used rustoleum marine primer and paint, 2 yrs later, yeah, it could use refurbishing w quality products like Interlux Primecote and Brightsides. Last June I was on the hard for 17 days. Sanding, 2 coats of both primecote and Brightsides on the hull, varnish on the transom. About 10 K well spent doing that. Yard quoted me double that and Baja Navel wasn't much under that. Now, the finish of the hull isn't perfect however it is in far better condition then when I bought it. Wood is organic. Yes it needs attention, especially, when mother nature brings 6 atmospheric rivers as happened this year in San Diego.
 
Big thanks to everyone who posted in reply to my question. I decided to heed the advice that I've received on this forum and elsewhere and steer away from wooden hulls.
 
GB42 said:
Big thanks to everyone who posted in reply to my question. I decided to heed the advice that I've received on this forum and elsewhere and steer away from wooden hulls.
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Probably a good decision for most people.
 
Sounds like you have your eyes wide open. You can weigh the pros & cons but it the end you need to go with your gut.
 
GB42 said:
Definitely for me since I have neither deep pockets nor a special affinity for wooden boats.
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An elegant turn of phrase ! Nicely succinct.
 
Exctyengr said:
Wooden Boats, GB's in particular

This string of responses hits most of the highlights of wooden boat ownership pro and con. I agree with most of the remarks about marina's, insurance, shipwrights and the like. And most of the issues will be exacerbated as the wooden fleet ages. To the comments previously opined, I would add the following: I owned and loved a wooden boat for many years. I found that the maintenance of a wooden boat, especially in SoCal to be not a whole lot different than the glass boats that I have owned. Varnish is not a function of hull material. The major differences are that wooden boats need to be painted periodically that's expensive. FG boats need to be polished that's a PITA but not especially expensive. Wooden boats need constant maintenance and deferred maintenance is a serious no - no. Without constant attention, a wooden boat will quickly bio-degrade.
GB's have excellent build quality, are usually kept up by their owners, and SoCal is a benign climate.
So, do an inspection (Check out the site "Marine Survey 101" for a checklist). Do your do diligence and good luck.
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GB42 said:
Hi everyone,

This my first post here and I'm considering buying a 1964 Grand Banks 42 that i looked at. Owner says it was the last wooden hull (i was under the impression that Grand Banks went to fiberglass in 1963). Any thoughts? Does anyone know a survivor they would recommend (boat is in Los Angeles, CA)?
Click to expand...
Me too here in North adriatic, I am going to visit this during this week Grand Banks 42' Classic - Pedetti Yacht
 
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