GBE Queenslander

[russell1952]

Iam looking for a cat around 9mt, can anyone tell me how the GBE Queenslander preforms, any insight into the sailability would be welcomed.

[Simi 60]

Compared to what?

[jmh2002]

Search is your friend. Comments there from people closely associated with GBEs.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...eck-24315.html

[Factor]

Originally Posted by russell1952

Iam looking for a cat around 9mt, can anyone tell me how the GBE Queenslander preforms, any insight into the sailability would be welcomed.

Great little boats, They are actually called GBE (Great Barrier Express) Sportsdeck. Built by Express multihulls in Brisbane

Queenslander was just the name of the first one out of the factory. It still lives here in Wynnum BTW, owned by a guy who semi lives aboard and has sailed it as far north as the cape and as far south as Eden. Obviously at 9.5 Meters you aren't going to be blessed with massive load carrying or space, but all in all a great little boat. Probably the key known fault was use of polyester below the waterline, most if not all have been scraped and epoxy barrier coated.

[jmh2002]

Yeah, but actually named after Great Barrier Island in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf (not after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia)

But the same principle applies in Queensland too.

The original idea being a relatively cheap, light, simple, fast boat that could be raced around the cans as well as cruise out to Great Barrier Island in a day's run (around 50nm away, so quite far for a small cruising monohull 30+ years ago), and with the addition of a boom tent provide a camping aboard type platform for young friends or family.

The original design was very well regarded in Auckland back in the day and many a young sailor aspired to own one (often bought in partnership with some mates and kept on a swing mooring in a tidal bay where the keel boats couldn't stay - life was easier without marina bills and it left more money for beer).

https://www.tennantdesign.co.nz/product-category/sail/