Outer Reefer vs Grand Banks

jfrank · 01-27-2009, 02:31 AM

Tell me about Outer Reef quality and seamanship compared to Grand Banks.
I am comparing GB 72 SC to OR 73.
Help....

KCook · 01-27-2009, 06:57 PM

Welcome to YachtForums jfrank

I'm curious about that as well. Can't be any help though, no trawlers here in the desert! I would suggest though, that you will get more replies posting questions like this up in the General Yachting Discussion forum than down here in the catacombs.

Kelly

Eric Sponberg · 01-28-2009, 10:23 AM

I am willing to give you a slightly biased opinion. I am the designer of the Moloka'i Strait motoryachts, and one of the partners of Moloka'i Strait Marine is Jeff Druek, who is also the owner of Outer Reef Yachts. He also lives at the eastern end of Long Island.

I am very impressed with the quality of Outer Reef Yachts. Mr. Druek had built two previous Grand Alaskans by Oviatt, one about 60-65', the other the first 75'er. He spent a lot of time travelling back and forth to Taiwan to oversee the construction of those boats. So he got his boatbuilding management skills from the school of hard knocks. Shortly after he bought the GA 75, he bought what ultimately became the Moloka'i Strait 75, Hercules, and simultaneously started Outer Reef Marine.

Both Outer Reef and Moloka'i Strait are subsidiaries of American Global Yacht Group. Mr. Druek returned to the Grand Alaskan builders in Taiwan and had them develop the Outer Reef line. Mr. Druek's real skill comes in his business management and attention to detail, followed by owner follow-up service. I have been on just a few of the Outer Reefs, and they follow the quality that we have on the Moloka'i Strait line.

As for the Grand Banks, the basic line is very old, and being around for a long time, they must be doing something right. I cannot speak with any personal experience on the 75, but you should be able to do a pretty close apples to apples comparison between the GB and the OR on your own. I expect that you will find very good features on the Outer Reef, and hopefully see as good features on the Grand Banks.

I hope that helps.

Eric

dockboy93 · 01-28-2009, 11:17 AM

The Grand Banks is a great boat. I have talked to many seasoned delivery captains that have driven the 72 and love it. The quality of a grand Banks is like no other. And the ride is unmistakable. I don't know much about outer reef, but I have noticed that they seem to be pretty cheap and that raises a red flag about quality for me.

Happy Choosing

OutMyWindow · 01-29-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dockboy93

The Grand Banks is a great boat. I have talked to many seasoned delivery captains that have driven the 72 and love it. The quality of a grand Banks is like no other. And the ride is unmistakable. I don't know much about outer reef, but I have noticed that they seem to be pretty cheap and that raises a red flag about quality for me.
Happy Choosing

I don't know, maybe have some of those Captains take an OR for a drive.
http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/ou...ilothouse.html

YachtForums · 02-04-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dockboy93

I don't know much about outer reef, but I have noticed that they seem to be pretty cheap and that raises a red flag about quality for me.

Not sure how I missed this post, but I have to agree with you... "you don't know much about Outer Reef". I would place OR at the top of my list in searching for a trawler.

Pascal · 02-04-2009, 09:32 AM

i have no experience with Outer Reefs but since they appear to be somewhat related to Grand Alaskans, i'll mention that having inspected 3 Grand Alaskans last year for a prospective buyer, i was not impressed at all.

I realize that quality varies from one boat to the next and that these 2000/2003 vintage boats may not be representative of other years GA or the current OR line but when you see yards making gross mistakes, you got to worry...

for instance, one boat had the shore power inlets on the face of the Poruguese bridge, and the back of the inlets exposed to an unsealed compartment in the back side of the PB. all corroded...

another one had compartments on the transom closed by $0.35 plastic latches (no dogs, no seal). worst, these compartment were open at the top into the lazarette. Get an engine problem in rough water and this is a disaster waiting to happen.

yet another one had a proper hatch on the aft deck to get into the lazarette but it could only be unlatched from the inside. So let say you hit something and rip a rudder, the only way in the lazarette is from the watertight door in the ER. problem is that if you need to get into the Laz. to plug the leak, you have to flood your ER...

and many other stupid errors like that...

again, this may not be representative of other Grand Alaskans or Outer Reefs, but dont' assume anything when it comes to far east yards: inspect inspect inspect.

CaptTom · 02-10-2009, 09:03 PM

I've had the pleasure of sea trialing both the 65 and 80 OR. They run well, have exceptional craftmanship on the interior and are stylish long range cruisers. Had the 80 out in 5+ seas and with the stabilizers on, gave a gentle roll, no snapping, no loss of control.
Before the 65 trial, the yacht was on land and the hull style showed a fine running surface.
Here's a shot of the 65 stabilizer.

NYCAP123 · 02-10-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptTom

I've had the pleasure of sea trialing both the 65 and 80 OR. They run well, have exceptional craftmanship on the interior and are stylish long range cruisers. Had the 80 out in 5+ seas and with the stabilizers on, gave a gentle roll, no snapping, no loss of control.
Before the 65 trial, the yacht was on land and the hull style showed a fine running surface.
Here's a shot of the 65 stabilizer.

Hey Tom,
Not meaning to knock and I don't have any experience on the OR, but 5' seas isn't much of a test for any boat over 40'. Does anybody out there have experience with them in serious seas?