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Grand Banks 42 Classic purchase

Discussion in 'Grand Banks Yacht' started by Lon Miller, Jul 26, 2021.

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  1. Lon Miller

    Lon Miller New Member

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    League City, Texas
    Hello, I am new to this forum. My wife and I are recently retired and are in the process of buying our first yacht and have put a deposit down on a 1996 GB 42 Classic with twin Cat 3208T, 375 hp engines. We are currently waiting for the Survey (including mechanical survey) to be done two weeks from now. The boat appears to be in good shape but the engines have more than 4700 hours on them and there are no maintenance records available. I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with these engines. As part of the mechanical survey we will be taking oil samples from the engines and transmissions for analysis. If the Survey / oil analyses show no particular problems how much life can I reasonably expect to get out of these engines. Should I plan on replacing them in the near future if we go ahead with this purchase? Thanks a lot with any help you can give me. Lon
  2. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    The 3208's are good engines that have been around a long time. But, just like with anything else there are limits. The 3208's are generally considered reliable up to the 300-325 hp range. Opinions on this will vary. Once you get to 375 you are pushing it. Past 375 and they just don't hold up very well. As you have noted, 4700 hrs is pretty high hours. There is no magic number of how long they will last so it is really a risk question for you. Curious why there are no maintenance records? That's certainly a red flag!
  3. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    I’ve seen 375hp 3208’s go 20,000 hours but that doesn’t mean anything in your case. Any marine diesel can have a catastrophic failure tomorrow.

    If they performed to your satisfaction on trial run and come through inspection without anything major I would expect them to run for a long time with proper maintenance. But stuff breaks on all boats. New boats have warranties. Old boats don’t. But you pay for it in either case.
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2021
  4. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    One thing to check on the 3208's is the mixing ring fitting on the outlet of the turbo. This is where water gets mixed with the exhaust for discharge. On the 3208's I had, this fitting was cast steel and rotted away. They upgraded them to a bronze fitting but I can't recall what year they did that. These buggers were expensive to replace.
  5. Lon Miller

    Lon Miller New Member

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    Thank you for this information. Regarding the maintenance records the owner says they were destroyed in Hurricane Harvey. I have no reason to believe or disbelieve this is the case so it’s going to come down to the Survey.
  6. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    Was the boat damaged in the hurricane or were the records kept somewhere else and not on the boat? If he had any maintenance or repairs done by local shops they usually keep records on file and can locate them by simply having the serial #'s. Is the seller offering zero information on anything to do with engine records or anything else? How long has this person owned the boat?
  7. Maxwell

    Maxwell Senior Member

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    Hurricane Harvey was September of 2017...

    If there was any maintenance since then, I would expect records from the last 3 years and 9 months. The "lost in hurricane" excuse makes me a bit skeptical at best...
  8. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    Yes that story needs more explanation. A Sellers agent is required to disclose what they know but the seller is not. However in this case the seller opened that door and should be forthright.

    How did the boat perform on trial run? Start up smoke or excessive underway, made RPM to specs, sound, smell, feel ...all that stuff alright?

    And the bottom line is the bottom line ...does the deal leave you with a budget for surprises.
  9. Lon Miller

    Lon Miller New Member

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    I agree with the comments about the destroyed logs, I would appreciate seeing the "remains" if nothing else to be more confident they did exist at one time. The comment about what has been done since Harvey is spot on, why aren't there logs for those few years? The negotiated price is low enough to pay for surprises up to replacement of the engines and still not be upside down but I'm getting cold feet on this particular boat. Thinking about finding a newer 42 with fewer hours and paying more up front with less risk. Know anyone with a 2002 or newer GB42 Classic for sale with reasonable hours?
  10. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    His dog ate them.
    leeky likes this.
  11. Tracy C

    Tracy C New Member

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    Good morning Lon
    I can’t help but notice that my husband and I have exactly the same concern as you did on a Grand Banks yacht. Same year, same motors, same hours, could it be the same boat?
    Was it located in Texas? If so, then it is same boat. And I want to ask you what stopped you from the purchase?
    If is located elsewhere, did you purchase?
    Either way your response could help us a lot? Feel free to give any information on your purchase process you would like to give me.
    Thank you very much!
  12. Lon Miller

    Lon Miller New Member

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    Hello Tracy,

    We found, coincidently from friends of ours, that that boat was an insurance case and was purchased by someone who repaired it and put it on the market. This was not divulged to us by the selling broker so we retracted our offer and continued our search. I am very happy to say we found a DeFever 49 CPMY that we purchased and are now waiting for it to arrive at our home port at South Shore Harbor in League City Texas this Friday. I was at the marina in League City Texas where the GB was berthed yesterday and noticed it is gone from the slip it was in so I don't know what its status is. Good luck in your search!
  13. Tracy C

    Tracy C New Member

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    Ok well I knew your response would be helpful. While we just adored that 42 footer, we also pulled out and will find another. No need buying a boat that has that hx associated with it. We also were not made aware. What else did you find out? Do you mind telling me the details of your discovery. Who was your broker on it? Well you saved us. We are also retired and we are far from rich and this boat has the potential to sink someone. Thank you ever so much.
  14. Lon Miller

    Lon Miller New Member

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    That's about all I have on that issue. Good luck with your search.