1994 grady white explorer

[looking4ournewgrady]

I'm looking at a used 1994 grady white explorer through this site and was wondering, how do the run in the open ocean, comparing the gulfstream, seafarer against the explorer. Want to know the - and + of the explorer. thanks again.
I have ran alot of grady's in my life however never have ran an Exoplorer all the tips are much appreciated.

 

[deepblue2]

Which model are you looking at? I have a '94 244 which has the notched transom. It has the original Yamaha 225 (TXRS) and a 9'9 Yamaha kicker. I have taken it to Tantas Ledge and the north end of Jeffrey's ledge in the Gulf of Maine, but I only do it on the "right" day for me which is light/variable winds and nothing more than 4 foot seas in the forecast, mostly because I have my kids with me, but I also don't want to get pounded too bad. I spend most of my time in Saco Bay. I can tell you my boat handles these conditions well, with little to no spray in the cockpit. It impreses me, but then I'm easily impresed after spending most of my previous time in a 17' bowrider.

As far as +/-, I think the biggest plus is the big cockpit-plenty of room for fishing. If you've run Grady's already, you know about the other plusses when it comes to fishing setup. Some people don't like the idea of a notched transom, but I have never had a problem with water coming in from a following sea. MAKE SURE that you have the transom checked where the aluminum trim covers the top of the transom. I removed mine and there was NO sealant in the gap between the liner and the hull! Luckily I caught it before it was an issue. I can't believe it came out of the factory like that.

I can't speak for the Gulfstream or Seafarer, never been on one, but there are lots of threads that talk to the performance of both. I think there were also I/O and bracket drive models as well as twin outboards for the Explorer, but I haven't been on one of those either.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

[looking4ournewgrady]

It is the 246, has the bracket.
comes with a four stroke yamaha

 

[Tuna Man]

I had a 1992 246 for about ten years, just sold it. I can tell you hands down that the 246 would outride my brother in laws 2000 gulfstream in all but the flatest sea conditions. However his was only powered with a single 225 Yamaha EFI and mine had the Yamaha 250 EFI. His gulfstream came with factory trim tabs that were inadequate for keeping the bow down in a head sea. He replaced the tabs with the next size up and it certainly helped. I know practically everyone thinks the gulfstream needs twins hanging on the back, but i would suspect the twins would exaggerate the problems with the bow wanting to rise up in most seas. Where the Gulfstream really shines is drifting or at rest (anchored, at the dock, etc). Probably the most stable 23' boat I ever set foot on at the dock or while trolling for tuna in calm seas.

Lastly, I think a lot of the reasons the narrower boats often run smoother in rough conditions has to do with the length to beam ratio. I believe 3:1 is about as close to ideal as you can get with boats of this type. If I recall the Explorer was a little over 24' long and had a 8'3" beam. On the other hand the Gulfstream is 23' long and a 9'3" beam.

 

[shadygradycapn]

No doubt about it, I am biased but I love my Gulfstream with twin Yami 200 4 strokes on a bracket. I don't have a problem trimming her out properly into a head sea, and the factory tabs are fine for tweaking it even more.

I have spent time on my father-in-laws 248 w/single 225 so yes I've ridden on both models. Both are SV2 hulls. I'll take my 232D any day.

Just yesterday I was hauling butt back to the marina and out of nowhere I encountered a series of 4'-5' waves from either a tug or a freighter wake. I quartered through them with ease and was happy once again to have that 9'3" beam!

 

[jpendejo]

Our 1995 Explorer

This is the second full season we have our Explorer, and it is very seaworthy. It rides and handles like a heavier boat(typical Grady), and since we repowered her with an Evinrude 250Hp E-tec, it handles even better, (replaced the original 225 Yamaha SWS that had been neglected. We have the notched transom and never have had a problem. We drove several 208's and gulfstreams, but for the cockpit room. hands down we chose the explorer. good luck...

 

[izzy]

I am the original owner of my 1994 which has the notched transom and I love it. Lots of room and handles the seas pretty well. I have been in alot of crappy seas with it and it handles real well.

A great boat