First Up

After landing at West Palm Beach we got a rental car and drove to our first showing in Stuart. Grand Time is a 1996 GB49 that we suspected would not meet our criteria, but we were interested in seeing her layout. The layout of her galley and saloon is one we prefer. And she has a helm seat. We have lots of time on Alaskan Dream, a 49 in the NE Explorations fleet, and the one thing we would most like to change on her is the addition of a permanent helm seat.

Grand Time was on the hard for hurricane season at the Hinckley Yachts yard in Stuart.  That provides a good look below the water line, but it also means you need to climb a 10 foot ladder to board. The boat did not show well, and looks in need of serious TLC. The boat is apparently used as a “floating condo” in season. Lots of kids have made their mark and it appears no mariner has taken pride in maintaining this vessel.

Karen and I looked at and photographed every nook and cranny of the boat. We did this so we would have a complete record of the boat in case she remained a candidate. Further this allows us to record ideas of things we liked that we would look for in another boat.

Grand Time did have a couple of very interesting features. Her engine room was divided into an engine and a separate laundry/utility room. This is something I have never seen on a Grand Banks 49 before or since. She also had a wet locker next to the port saloon door. Again, a feature we would love to have on our boat, but have never seen on a Grand Banks.

It was a typical hot and humid day in Florida in August. By that I mean the native Floridians were complaining about the heat. Poor Karen and I were dying. We divided our time between being in the blazing sun and exploring inside the uncooled boat without a wisp of air movement. It was more comfortable in the blazing sun.

Picture taking and exploration complete, Karen and I gave each other the nod, we said goodbye to the broker and off we went to the hotel for a shower.

After checking into the Marriott in Stuart, we both enjoyed a cold shower before a nice meal at a restaurant called 11 Maple Street in Jensen Florida.

Tomorrow we see a completely different Grand Banks 49 in Vero Beach. 

Grand Time on the hard