Ruminations on a GB 42...
 

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
How much work is involved in maintaining a wooden GB 42?

This boat was gorgeous - I mean drop dead gorgeous.

I'm not a surveyor by any stretch, but I couldn't find anything wrong
on viewing the boat. Bilges were exceptionally clean, the engine room
sparkled, the boat itself being wood - well, even up close the paint
was flawless. The teak was bright and looked oiled rather than
varnished. All the window frames were intact and showed no signs of
leaking, I didn't find any dead spots on the deck or bridge -
anywhere. Apparently the current owner is into wood working too as
there were several personal touches that were just incredible.

I am in love with this boat. The only problem is I'm not at all sure
I can maintain it at this level.

What to do - what to do.

One nice thing about GBs is that they don't change much from year to year.
In fact, the surveyor who did Mrs.E's 36 explained that in those years GB
solicited feedback from owners to determine what changes or improvements, if
any, would be incorporated into the next year's models.

IMO, there's plenty of woodwork to tend to on the glass models, decks,
rails, transom, let alone maintaining a watertight hull. Plus, the interior
needs occasional buffing. That's a lot of maintenance, unless you intend to
hire someone to do it.

If it were me .... which it's not ... I'd shop around for a glass version.
Pangea was fortunately well maintained, but we still had all the exterior
work done the first year. It wasn't cheap.

There are a couple of GB owner forums, one of which is dedicated to wood
boats, where you can get a lot of good information and help. I am heading
out the door, but I'll find them later and pass them on. Hey ... did it
have the original GB folding table? Those things are worth quite a bit if
in good, original condition.

Eisboch