Picture Larson and Wellcraft boats with teak decks?

Probably not anytime soon. :-)

Genmar just hired the NA who has designed boat for Grand Banks since about
forever, C.Raymond Hunt.

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
Picture Larson and Wellcraft boats with teak decks?

Probably not anytime soon. :-)


Don't count it out too quickly. I'm seeing more and more runabouts and
small cruisers pictured in magazine ads with teak sections in swim
platforms, cockpit soles, cabin soles, and even inlays on foredecks. It
seems to be a styling trend that is picking up steam. I'm hitting my local
boat show later this week and expect to see some of it in person. Looks
good in the brochures, but I don't think I'd be an enthused buyer of this
trend. The last thing I need is more maintenance, which I believe the teak
would surely require. I had a 1987 Sea Ray cuddy that had teak trim around
the transom and on the foredeck, as well as inlays in the swim platform.
Always thought the nice aesthetics of the teak were nowhere near worth the
effort it took to keep it looking good. I'll stick to non-skid fiberglass
walking surfaces with snap-in (easily removable for cleaning and easily
replaceable when it's served it's life) carpet for the cockpit and stainless
steel railing for trim and safety rails.

On 12 Jan 2004 18:07:36 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Picture Larson and Wellcraft boats with teak decks?

Probably not anytime soon. :-)

Genmar just hired the NA who has designed boat for Grand Banks since about
forever, C.Raymond Hunt.

Yes, but are they looking at the details or the big picture? grin

Chuck, do you know when GB went from a wooden to a fiberglass hull?
How were their initial fiberglass hulls, any problems? What I'm trying
to determine is what years would be good ones to consider if buying a
used one, say a 36'er.

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Chuck, do you know when GB went from a wooden to a fiberglass hull?
How were their initial fiberglass hulls, any problems? What I'm trying
to determine is what years would be good ones to consider if buying a
used one, say a 36'er.

Grand Banks switched from wood to fiberglass on 32's, 36's, and 42's in 1973.
I'm trying to remember if they built the 50' "Alaskan" much past the early
70's, but if they did that boat continued in wood.

In general, early FRP hulls were overbuilt.
I suspect that early builders figured the glass needed to be as thick as wood
in order to provide the same strength.

Blisters are relatively uncommon on glass boats of this vintage.

Like any 30-year old boat it's the wood that will probably screw you up, not
the glass.

On a boat of that age the model year means almost nothing. Even the brand name
means very little. A boat that started off as top-of-the line could have to
beat to death by previous owners, so you must look a lot deeper than the
pedigree.

Some of the early FRP 36 GB's are still
very fine boats with several decades of useful life remaining. Others have
gone, or should have gone, to the breaker's yard long ago. Old boats are like
old people.....
you will encounter a wide variety of folks with a common name. :-)

On 12 Jan 2004 19:20:25 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Chuck, do you know when GB went from a wooden to a fiberglass hull?
How were their initial fiberglass hulls, any problems? What I'm trying
to determine is what years would be good ones to consider if buying a
used one, say a 36'er.

Grand Banks switched from wood to fiberglass on 32's, 36's, and 42's in 1973.
I'm trying to remember if they built the 50' "Alaskan" much past the early
70's, but if they did that boat continued in wood.

In general, early FRP hulls were overbuilt.
I suspect that early builders figured the glass needed to be as thick as wood
in order to provide the same strength.

Blisters are relatively uncommon on glass boats of this vintage.

Like any 30-year old boat it's the wood that will probably screw you up, not
the glass.

On a boat of that age the model year means almost nothing. Even the brand name
means very little. A boat that started off as top-of-the line could have to
beat to death by previous owners, so you must look a lot deeper than the
pedigree.

Some of the early FRP 36 GB's are still
very fine boats with several decades of useful life remaining. Others have
gone, or should have gone, to the breaker's yard long ago. Old boats are like
old people.....
you will encounter a wide variety of folks with a common name. :-)

Thanks for the info!

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!

Great news! I had heard that Mr. Hunt was having trouble finding work since
his demise in 1978.

Okay, I know what you meant. When someone mentions Hunt's name I think
Bertram Moppie, Concordia Yawl and the original Boston Whaler hull design
which he collaborated on.

Steve P.

"Gould 0738" wrote in message
...
Picture Larson and Wellcraft boats with teak decks?

Probably not anytime soon. :-)

Genmar just hired the NA who has designed boat for Grand Banks since about
forever, C.Raymond Hunt.