285 or 307

[diveman38]

I currently own a 2022 Freedom 307 in South Florida with the hard stop delete. I have a 285 on order for use in NJ with the hardtop and twin 350's the dealer has a 307 in stock with 300's I'm trying to figure out if the 285 will be large enough?
Thanks Rob

 

[billyttpd]

Forgive me if I sound snarky but you're the only one who knows the answer to that question. You have to consider if a boat that is two feet shorter and a foot narrower is going to fit how you plan to boat in NJ. For me a 285 is significantly larger than my current boat. You are downsizing. The other decision is immediate delivery versus waiting for the 285 to come in.

 

[Ekea]

have you been on one? if not, i would suggest going on one as thats the only way you will know

 

[Twist]

The other consideration might be warranty extensions. When I bought my new 2024 Freedom 275 in July Yamaha was including a warranty out to 5 years on the engines that would not be available if I waited for the 2025. They also discounted the 2024 that had on the floor and it was what I wanted anyway. I never got a chance to see a 285 and I felt like the 307 was more boat than I wanted.

 

[diveman38]

I have not been on a 285 yet the 307 that I own is plenty large enough, interesting that yamaha does not offer the extended warranty for the 2025 model year.

 

[Twist]

I have not been on a 285 yet the 307 that I own is plenty large enough, interesting that yamaha does not offer the extended warranty for the 2025 model year.

I got the impression it was an incentive to move the rest of the 2024 inventory.

 

[McBobKC]

I have not been on a 285 yet the 307 that I own is plenty large enough, interesting that yamaha does not offer the extended warranty for the 2025 model year.

Yet……

 

[JJF]

Does your 307 ever feel a little tight? If so, then the 285 is going to seem to feel small.

Do you think the 307 can do anything (sea conditions wise) that the 285 can't? If so, then the 285 is going to seem too small.

Is the NJ boat going to be used differently than the FL boat? I ask, because your user name implies that you dive. While I don't dive, I do know that space is importand for divers.

From perspective, the volume of GW's 30' vs their 28' can be quite a lot.

 

[diveman38]

The 307 has plenty of room for me I won’t be diving in NJ i ordered the 285 with the refrigerator which should save some space by not having to bring a cooler.

 

[Twist]

The 307 has plenty of room for me I won’t be diving in NJ i ordered the 285 with the refrigerator which should save some space by not having to bring a cooler.

That fridge is pretty small. I've been using one of my insulated compartments for ice and drinks.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

Yep, thats the new trend here in Italy; most RIB's above 21 ft have this as a option, a small cooler in the size of a Hotel minibar/room cooler and most realise after using it that it's small, need a long time to cool down and 10-20 lbs of ice is just more practical.

I dove in 6 with 2 tanks for each out of my BW 23 Outrage and it worked was was far from comfortable.
My 306 Canyon would be much more comfortable for scuba diving, but as i understood thats not required.

Chris