Am I mad? GB36 Woodie.

A

All_at_Sea

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 Aug 2005
Messages
1,381
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
They are so cute.

Anyone got a woodie, what are the known problems with these, I've always wanted one, and the wooden ones are becoming affordable.
 
Only you can decide if your mad enough :)
On the restoration page of the Berthon website there is GB 42 to give you some idea of what you can come across.Has also been featured in a back issue of MB&Y.
 
I think LittleShip on here has/had one.
Haven't seen Tom around for quite some time, hope he's doing fine!

cheers

V.
 
Friend of mine had one for years---from memory the hull was 3/4 inch teak and was so dry that you could sweep out the bilges with a dustpan and brush. Topsides were a different matter---fresh water and elderly marine ply was a night mare scenario with constant attention needed.
 
vas said:
I think LittleShip on here has/had one.
Haven't seen Tom around for quite some time, hope he's doing fine!

cheers

V.
Click to expand...

He still is in occaisional contact on FB groups and PD crowd. Still has his GB ank keeps it at Portavardie marina now. I cant see him selling it he clearly loves it too much.
 
Well I've had my GB42 woodie for 32 years, she's 50 this year, one previous owner, so I must be a little insane!

You need time & lot's of it. If you can't do most stuff yourself you need deep pockets. Think Forth Bridge, it never ends.

But that aside, wonderfully solid, looks after you in bad seas (as long as you don't mind the spray) & masses of space for the hull length.

Original teak deck still thicker than most new decks, just have to keep up with the seams & plugs. Fuel tanks can be an issue often due to water through deck fittings rusting the tank tops. Mine are still original. Had them out blasted, epoxyed & pressure tested 18 years ago, still good.

Lehman engines are bullet proof IF looked after. Replaced mine with Perkin/Sabre M135's in 2000.

It really is a case of love them or hate them. But you must be happy to travel at 8 knots.

We moved to the Med in 2001 & that's easier as there is much less rain to damage the cabin structure. Did I mention the windows, they leak so we replaced them with painted ally ones custom made by Houdini. That reduced my work load as the leaks can wreck the ply.

Wouldn't change her for anything, now I'm an old fart I can handle her myself & at this size there is always a berth available.

36 has less to maintain, we had a 32 for 5 years before the 42.

To give you an idea we spend a couple of months on the boat & I spend another couple of months on maintenance & upgrades each year.

You need commitment to have a wooden boat or be prepared to spend continuously.

Fantastic rewards though when you set off in a boat that continually gets great comments & is totally reliable.
 
Thanks for the replies, l will go and see one this weekend and make my mind up, I have had wooden boats before and understand the amount of work.
 
All_at_Sea said:
Thanks for the replies, l will go and see one this weekend and make my mind up, I have had wooden boats before and understand the amount of work.
Click to expand...


I'm just wondering if you are referring to the GB36 for sale on a well-known auction site.
If you are, there's a 2018 survey, and it might help your thinking about costs if you asked to have a look at the key findings.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

J
Broom Cruiseline 500
Replies
3
Views
252
Jessups
J

Share this page

Top