T&T: A Cautionary Tale or the worst possible luck

[Andy Woods]

>Andy Woods wrote:
>>But the big difference is the Taiwan trawler VS the GB.
>>I'm glad I ended up with a GB!
>>
>>
>Andy,
>
>I hate to burst your bubble, but it has nothing to do with "Taiwanese" 
>trawlers or Grand Banks, which, BTW, were built in Taiwan. The issue is 
>repair and maintenance. You can be assured that the boat was not delivered 
>that way. Any low rate mechanic can mess up even the finest of boats.
>
>And also, before you get too gung-ho on Grand Banks being the cats meow, 
>even GB cuts corners. The earlier wood ones, in some cases, had plywood 
>gussets on the frames behind the tanks where nobody would see them. 
>Everywhere else, the gussets were hardwood as they should be. Even more 
>current ones have corners cut in areas where most owners will never see it. 
>But those of us that work on boats for a living know all the dirty little 
>secrets. :)
>
>Cheers,
>Jim

You are exactly correct, Jim.

Unfortunately my statement was made while lounging on the flybridge, after 
one too many cocktails, feeling pretty good about my boat and the condition 
she was in.  As soon as I sent it I was looking for that unsend button.

I apologize to any Taiwanese built boat owners that I may have offended.

The truth is, I am extremely happy that I ended up with a GB.  We looked at 
many trawlers during our three year search and many, many, of them were 
Taiwanese built and totally unacceptable.

And I do feel that the GB was built to a higher standerd, but as Jim stated, 
repair and maintenance are key factors.

Have I had issues with this boat?  Yes.  Almost the same as any other boat.

My good friends Jon and Sandy have a 40' Marine Trader (Sanjon) that they 
have cruised for 5 years between the Chesapeake and Florida.  We have stayed 
on their boat a few times. (while in Key Largo and Key West)  I think it is 
a great boat that has served them well.  Have they had issues with their 
boat? Yes.  Almost the same as any other boat.

My good friends Anthony and Victoria have a 40' Present, Lady Paige.    I 
love that boat!  They love their boat!  The arched doorways really add to 
the nautical appeal.  She is a beautiful boat that was exactly what they 
were looking for.  Have they had issues with that boat?  Yes.  Almost the 
same as any other boat.

Bottom line is, I screwed up by making that statement, and I apologize.

Thanks, Jim, (and everyone else) for not blasting me on the list.

Boatlover,

Andy



Andy  Linda Woods
Grand Folly
1970 Grand Banks 36 Classic
Georgetown, MD.
grandfolly at hotmail.com
currently docked in Crisfield, MD.