Used Grand Banks buying guide: what to check on a 32, 36 or 42 Classic

The Grand Banks 42 is the boat many people picture when they hear the word "trawler." More than 1,500 were built, and the line switched from wood to fiberglass in 1973.¹ Owners featured by Soundings cruised about 3,000 miles a season at around 9 knots on roughly 6 gallons an hour, and one called the construction "top of the line." Pre-redesign boats have sold from the high five figures up to about $300,000.¹ The smaller 32 and 36 give you most of the same qualities in a boat that's cheaper to keep and easier to dock.

A well-kept Grand Banks is one of the safest bets in used trawlers: a proven design, loyal owners and buyers waiting when you sell. A neglected one is one of the most expensive ways to learn about teak decks and fuel tanks.

Grand Banks at a glance

Is a Grand Banks right for you?

A good fit if you want the classic trawler with the deepest owner network, you value a boat that holds its value well, and you plan long, comfortable cruising as a couple.

Think twice if you're shopping at the bottom of the range and can't afford a refit, you don't want to look after exterior teak and varnish, or you need speed.

What to check

Wood or fiberglass?

Boats built before the 1973 switch are wooden and need a surveyor who specializes in wood. Confirm the year and the build before you go further.

Teak decks and exterior teak

Many Grand Banks have teak decks screwed down through the fiberglass deck, which means many screw holes through the deck core. As the teak wears thin and the bedding ages, water finds those holes. Check for leaks, soft spots, missing bungs and lifting strips, and have the surveyor take moisture readings. See fiberglass boat problems.

Fuel tanks

Ask about the tanks' age and material, look for weeping and rust on every visible part, smell the bilge, and price a replacement if the original tanks are still there on an older boat. Tank replacement on a trawler can mean cutting the boat open or pulling the engine.

Engines

Older boats commonly carry Ford Lehman diesels; later boats have a variety of more modern diesels. See our Ford Lehman guide and Cummins guide. Take an oil sample from each engine and have an engine surveyor aboard for the sea trial.

Windows, ports and doors

Old frames leak into the cabinetry below. Look for staining and swollen wood under every window and door.

Electrical upgrades

Decades of owners add decades of wiring. Look for tidy, labeled, fused work and a clean panel, not a rat's nest.

On the smaller 32 and 36

• Engine access is tighter. Check that the filters, impeller and belts can actually be reached, and that they have been serviced.
• Single engine, single point of failure. Look closely at the fuel system: filters, tank pickups and the condition of the fuel. A clean fuel system keeps a single-engine boat going.
• Bow thruster: many have had one added. If not, dock her yourself on the sea trial.

Buy on condition and paperwork, not the year: a well-documented 1980 boat beats a neglected 1988 one every time.

Questions to ask the seller

• Wood or fiberglass? What year was she built?
• When were the teak decks last re-caulked, rebuilt or removed?
• Have the fuel tanks been replaced? Can I see the invoice?
• Which engines, how many hours, and when were they last overhauled?
• Which windows have leaked, and what was done?

Common questions

Is a Grand Banks 42 a good first trawler?

For a couple with the budget to buy a well-kept one and maintain it, yes. It's proven and easy to resell. The cheapest examples often need major work on decks, tanks or engines.

Do Grand Banks trawlers hold their value?

Generally well, thanks to strong demand and a loyal owner network. Condition and recent work drive the price of any individual boat.

What's the biggest risk on an old Grand Banks?

Wet decks under old teak and original fuel tanks. Both are expensive to fix and both are worth checking before you offer.