1985 22’ seafarer

[Kenucks]

Looking at buying one of these. Any pros or cons you can give me or problems to look for?
Thank you
Ken

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I'll bite and say that I think the cons at this point are unfortunately going to vastly outweigh the pros. The only things that I can think of that would be pros would be potentially the cost as well as any sort of upgrades that have been done to the boat at this point. The cons though, or at least the major ones, would be that the boat is nearing 40 years old at this point and who knows how many people have owned it as well as how well it's been cared for, or conversely if it's been neglected. If you can get the boat for considerably less than the value then it might make sense to go ahead with the deal but it really just depends on the asking price, the actual condition of the boat, what does it have for power, what sort of immediate and long term upgrades the boat will need done to it and so forth? For example, if the seller wants $20k for the boat, yet it needs a trailer, repower and so forth then I wouldn't consider that a very good deal at all, nor would I think it would be worth your time. The other cons that I can think of besides the age of the boat, would be the unknowns such as the actual condition of the wiring or electrical, the outboard, trailer, etc. In terms of cons with regards to the specifications of the boat, you're looking at a boat that is a SeaV1 hull as opposed to the newer SeaV2 hull, of which the latter is going to provide a smoother, more comfortable and drier ride. On top of that, around 1997 I believe, they switched from using standard marine grade plywood to using a product called Greenwood XL, which is supposed to be better at resisting rot.

So... water intrusion, soft spots in the floor and the hull, etc, are likely going to be a bigger problem on an older hull as opposed to a newer one, and you're going to have the less desirable SeaV1 hull as opposed to the newer SeaV2 hull, which the SeaV2 hull is still produced by GW to this day. Lastly would be the price, of which I bought my 2004 GW 228 Seafarer with a 2004 Yamaha F225 that had just under 1k hours on it at the time of sale, along with a 2009 aluminum I-beam trailer for $26.5k in Maryland back in early October of 2021. The boat came with all of the canvas as well as the cushions, a basic Garmin 7" touchscreen and was essentially a turnkey boat, except that I needed downriggers to troll for salmon, which is the majority of what I do for fishing. I personally wasn't considering anything older than a 1998 because of the reasons mentioned above, along with the design change between the 1997 and 1998 model years. I love classic cars, but if they break down you can just pull over on the side of the road and call for a tow truck. A 40 year old boat on the other hand is quite a bit less desirable to me as opposed to a 40+ year old car, especially when comparing a 38 year old boat to one that is half its age at 19 years old. We'll need considerably more information on the boat, such as an asking price, some pictures, the actual condition of the boat and so forth. If it's a steal of a deal, then it might be worth your while, though even if it was say $10k and needed some work, I'd be still look for something newer because of the reasons mentioned above. The SV2 hull is fantastic, it'll keep you comfortable, dry and will keep its resale value much better than a boat that's coming up on being 40 years old now. Of course, those are just my opinions.

 

[Kenucks]

Awesome information.
Comes with 1999 Yamaha 200 salt water with 969 hours. 2003 9.9 Yamaha kicker. Tandem EZ load trailer recently rewired .
Two down riggers, GPS/sounder
$30k Canadian

 

[Mustang65fbk]

$30k CAD is roughly $22k USD... absolutely no way would I pay even close to $22k USD for that boat, or anything similar. I'm looking at it on the Canadian Craigslist and it looks like there's either damage or a big scuff mark on the first picture on the front half of the boat just above the bottom paint. The fact that he's not showing any pictures of the entire port side of the boat also seems a bit suspect. And the trailer appears to be the same vintage of the boat, is galvanized steel which isn't anywhere near as great as aluminum imo and so forth. I hate to speak badly about another person's boat, though you are asking for personal opinions, of which I don't think there's anything from what I can see that makes it even close to being worth $22k. What I would do, and did do, is look back on the east coast for what you want over the next couple of months when the prices drop off considerably. I'd be willing to bet you could find a considerably newer, nicer 228 Seafarer with 4 stroke power on it and a newer trailer for $30k-$35k. What's your budget?

 

[Kenucks]

Thank you for your perspective and insight. I’ll be in their neighborhood in a couple weeks and will have a peek with much more to look at and think about.
much appreciated.
Ken

 

[Don Davis]

Hey Ken, is that the one for sale in Port Alberni? I live up in Courtenay. I agree with everything that Mustang has said, it’s a very old hull with old 2 stroke power that will cost a fortune to run at $2/liter and 2 stroke oil. If you get the transom and wiring inspected and it clears it might be worth $10,000 - $15,000 max but you are taking a big chance even at that. Those engines are worth about $3,000. That open transom would be a show stopper for me, it needs to be podded and the transom closed like the newer 228 Seafarers, just too risky in a following sea, my 2 cents. The pro is that it has a hardtop, a huge bonus.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

Agreed Don, and yes I believe it is the one in PA. I'd be worried about fighting a fish and having my foot hit one of those rear jump seats or the divider between the outboard and the cockpit area, and then trip or fall in. The newer boats like ours don't have that issue, or anything close to it. I guess I just look at what I paid for my boat at $26.5k and compare it to this one for $22k. For an extra $4.5k, I got a boat that is 20 years newer, with 4 stroke power, all of the cushions, a much newer trailer and hopefully a lot better peace of mind, etc. I'm also not a fan of the wood trim on boats, as I think it makes the boat look incredibly dated. But again, just my 2c on the matter.

 

[PointedRose]

2003 Grady White Seafarer 228 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

2003 Grady White Seafarer 228 - $44,000 Reduced to $39,000. Now $34,000. Well Cared For 2003 Grady White Seafarer 228 Grady Quality Sea V2 Hull Dependable 2008 Yamaha F250 HP Four Stroke 830 hrs...

sfbay.craigslist.org

 

[Mustang65fbk]

2003 Grady White Seafarer 228 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

2003 Grady White Seafarer 228 - $44,000 Reduced to $39,000. Now $34,000. Well Cared For 2003 Grady White Seafarer 228 Grady Quality Sea V2 Hull Dependable 2008 Yamaha F250 HP Four Stroke 830 hrs...

sfbay.craigslist.org

Definitely a scam...

 

[Kenucks]

Hey Ken, is that the one for sale in Port Alberni? I live up in Courtenay. I agree with everything that Mustang has said, it’s a very old hull with old 2 stroke power that will cost a fortune to run at $2/liter and 2 stroke oil. If you get the transom and wiring inspected and it clears it might be worth $10,000 - $15,000 max but you are taking a big chance even at that. Those engines are worth about $3,000. That open transom would be a show stopper for me, it needs to be podded and the transom closed like the newer 228 Seafarers, just too risky in a following sea, my 2 cents. The pro is that it has a hardtop, a huge bonus.

That is the one. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[Robtomberts]

I just bought a 1986 seafarer 22 with the bracket has the original 87 Yamaha percision blend 175 with about 500 hours. Everything needs some kind of work it’s a older boat and I knew that when I bought it. I purchased the older boat for a few reasons I am new to boating and not sure how much I will like it, more importantly if the wife likes it! It was cheap I got the boat and trailer for 5k and I am learning a lot as I fix/upgrade different items on the boat and trailer which was also what I wanted to do. So buying an older boat can be a good choice, depending on your situation. If things work out as I expect there will be a newer boat in my future in a few years but for know I am getting an excellent education and you can’t put a price on that!

 

[Mustang65fbk]

For purposes of comparison, this is what a similar mid 2000's GW 228 Seafarer typically sells for in the PNW or on the west coast, if not more.

2005 Grady White 228 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

Grady White 228 with 560 total hours. 4 stroke Yamaha 225, new seastar hydraulic steering, 2008 Yamaha 9.9 high thrust kicker with dual controls at helm, steering is hydraulic through main motor,...

seattle.craigslist.org

 

[Don Davis]

For purposes of comparison, this is what a similar mid 2000's GW 228 Seafarer typically sells for in the PNW or on the west coast, if not more.

2005 Grady White 228 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

Grady White 228 with 560 total hours. 4 stroke Yamaha 225, new seastar hydraulic steering, 2008 Yamaha 9.9 high thrust kicker with dual controls at helm, steering is hydraulic through main motor,...

seattle.craigslist.org

Wow that’s a nice looking Seafarer. I remember on 2 different occasions and a few years prior to Covid, there were 2 separate 228 Seafarer’s for sale for $55,000 Canadian, a buddy of mine bought one in Parksville and the other one was for sale in Port Alberni, they were both 2002 and 2003 models. Prices are definitely higher now for these models.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

Wow that’s a nice looking Seafarer. I remember on 2 different occasions and a few years prior to Covid, there were 2 separate 228 Seafarer’s for sale for $55,000 Canadian, a buddy of mine bought one in Parksville and the other one was for sale in Port Alberni, they were both 2002 and 2003 models. Prices are definitely higher now for these models.

There were two last summer that were very similar to the boat on the Seattle Craigslist page, as well as my own, that both sold on the Seattle CL site for $55k and $65k. Both were I believe a 2004/2005 model 228 Seafarer, had the hardtop, similar vintage F225/F250 when compared to the hull, kicker motor, basic Garmin electronics, Garmin radar and trailer. Comparatively, here's one that's been listed for sometime on BT back on the east coast for almost $20k less. Which is exactly why I buy all of my boats back east, as I'd much rather spend the $26.5k that I paid for my boat as opposed to $55k-$65k. Also, when I see the one that's supposedly in California for $34k without any pictures, that hasn't sold and has been dropped down from $44k... I either assume it's got to be a scam or there's something wrong with the boat. Lastly, I think the prices are going to continue staying where they are, or maybe even go up slightly more during the summertime, for these boats because you can't buy them new anymore. I think covid might've played a bit of a role in the prices going up, but at the same time is when they dropped the 228 Seafarer for the lineup and think that played as big of a factor or more into the increased prices.

Used 2003 Grady-White 228 G Seafarer, 23455 Virginia Beach - Boat Trader

Check out this Used 2003 Grady-White 228 G Seafarer for sale in Virginia Beach, VA 23455. View this Saltwater Fishing and other Power boats on boattrader.com

www.boattrader.com

 

[PointedRose]

Grady White Seafarer 228 hardtop - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

GOT TUNA? YOU WILL AFTER BUYING THIS BOAT! 1999 Grady White 228 Seafarer hardtop, With a Yamaha 0X66 Saltwater series 225 HP oil injected 2 stroke and a Yamaha T8 kicker. Bran new after market SEI...

sfbay.craigslist.org