I will hopefully be purchasing a Grady White cuddy cabin for a family boat. We have two small children (one girl and one boy). I have visited the showroom and walked around on both the 208 and the 226/228. Is the 208 large enough for family trips and fishing, just the two boys? Can anyone help with this decision? I am not certain if I will buy new or used but in this market, there may be some deals out there. Any advice with that decision will be appreciated also. Love this forum...
Adventure or Seafarer
- Thread starter VinMan
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My 9 year old son and I have camped on our 228 numerous times. I'm not gigantic (6' 225lbs) but if the cabin on the 208 is much smaller than the 228 I'd say it could be a tight squeeze. With small kids I'd highly recommend the 228 as it has a full transom. The notched transom of the 208 and 226 may not actually be a hazzard to small kids, but we sure feel more secure with our two little ones roaming around the cockpit with a full transom to keep them in.
If you can swing the bill, buy the seafarer, it rides better in most conditions, they are similar in efficiency and the seafarer has more room. The 208 will have enough room for 3, but for 4 it will be cramped. The seafarer can fish 4, but no more. I know many feel safer with kids on the full transom seafarer, but I'm not sure it is that much safer, if the kids are on the fish boxes aft of the helm seats, they are just as close to getting out of the boat and in the water, but avoiding on possible worry may be worth it, that comes down to the boater. Boating with small kids is hard, you need to ALWAYS be watching them, having just 1 adult and 2 little kids is not going to be fun, you really need another adult or even a teenager to watch them while you drive, otherwise make sure one is seated at a helm chair and the other next to you, I'd keep them out of the cockpit when running unless an adult is with them, that is the most likely time for something to go wrong. Make sure they wear life jackets, in most states it is the law, and with little kids on board, it is just smart. Both boat models are great boats. If you will not be using the boat a ton, maybe a few weekends, the 208 may be enough, if you plan to sue it year round or a lot, go for the bigger boat. Also, if you plan to keep it in a marina, some charge by the ft others for the slips size, check that to see what the cost difference may be. Insurance and operation costs will be similar, maybe a slight more for the seafarer but not by much. Let us know what you decide and good luck!!
I could be crazy, but when I was last in a GW showroom I checked out both the 208 and the 228. The cabin on the 208 actually seemed larger...
That's a great point. It seems the only difference in cabin is the sink in the 228. My son and I both fit in the cabin of the 208 fine. The cockpit of the 208 is 41 sq ft and the 228 is 49. I think the 228 cockpit is one foot longer. I appreciate all the advice and I'll try to go the bigger boat but brand new, the 228 is 27,000 more!!! That's a lot of $$$$ for two more feet (really one foot since we fit in the cabin of the 208). I don't know. Time will tell. Thanks again. You folks are great... Please forward any other good points I'm missing. I'm a newbie but love Grady's.
plymouthgrady
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208 vs.228
One thing I love about the 228 is the bracket mounted engine. If safety is an issue, you have an enclosed deck-no engine well-and a livewell. I'd recommend a late 2000's used GW. New are VERY expensive and the 1st seller takes a huge hit.
One thing I love about the 228 is the bracket mounted engine. If safety is an issue, you have an enclosed deck-no engine well-and a livewell. I'd recommend a late 2000's used GW. New are VERY expensive and the 1st seller takes a huge hit.
With this market it's hard to justify buying a new boat with the used ones avaliable at good prices.
When I was shopping, I ordered a brand new 208. Then a month later, before delivery, I upgraded to the 228. Best decision I ever made. Cheaper to have done it then then to buy a 208 and sell her only to buy another boat (228). Now into our third season, the 228 is a terrific boat. I suggest you find a newer, used, 228 with a four stroke on her (225 or 250 Yamaha). If you're lucky, you'll locate one with a hardtop and auxilary fuel tank giving you a fuel capacity that many 24 and 25 footers do not have. If you ever do a long range fishing or cruising trip, or locate a cheap gas station, you will LOVE those big tanks! There's a big fan base for the 228's out there. Good luck.
We are a year and a half in with our 208. It's a great boat, easy trailer and launch, plenty of room for day-trips. We don't overnight in it, did that once, it's do-able but cramped.
It was max-sized to be able to tow with our motorhome. We thought we would trailer over to the colorado river lakes frequently, as well as use on the ocean here in southern-Cal. However gas costs have all but stopped our cross-country trips, it's about $450 for a trip to the river, which equates to enough fuel for at least a couple of months of boating out on the ocean, even with a bigger boat with twins.
We are 98% to putting the 208 up for sale to move to a Sailfish. The marina keeps calling us as our name has come up on the waiting list for a 30' slip. For what I pay for my truck I could pay moorage, so it looks like we're going to go that way.
If you can swing the 228, for cost, weight, and if you think you'll keep it for several years, then go for it. Running costs will not be that much different. There are some great buys on the market right now, that's one of the reasons we're thinking of moving up now. The only reason I would go new is if I couldn't find a suitable boat on the used market. Or if I just had money to burn 8)
It was max-sized to be able to tow with our motorhome. We thought we would trailer over to the colorado river lakes frequently, as well as use on the ocean here in southern-Cal. However gas costs have all but stopped our cross-country trips, it's about $450 for a trip to the river, which equates to enough fuel for at least a couple of months of boating out on the ocean, even with a bigger boat with twins.
We are 98% to putting the 208 up for sale to move to a Sailfish. The marina keeps calling us as our name has come up on the waiting list for a 30' slip. For what I pay for my truck I could pay moorage, so it looks like we're going to go that way.
If you can swing the 228, for cost, weight, and if you think you'll keep it for several years, then go for it. Running costs will not be that much different. There are some great buys on the market right now, that's one of the reasons we're thinking of moving up now. The only reason I would go new is if I couldn't find a suitable boat on the used market. Or if I just had money to burn 8)
I certainly love the 228. The bracket gives me the closed transom. I've been finding several for sale used (only 2 or 3 years old) in the 40's and 50's. These boats have 50-100 hours on them. The deals are hot. I'm going to get serious near the end of the year. Thanks for all the advice and information. I will definately be posting again as the search gets more serious and I start inspecting used 228's.
In my humble opinion, between the two boats you've narrowed it down to, the Seafarer is the boat for you. Your kids are small now, but it wont be that way forever. They'll grow fast, and the seafarer will offer room for them to grow in to.
If you can handle the cost differential, buy the seafarer.
And be sure to change your name on this baord once you make the move!
If you can handle the cost differential, buy the seafarer.
And be sure to change your name on this baord once you make the move!
I have begun looking at 208's and 228's and have a question this forum may be able to answer. The new 228's and older 208's have a large section of deck that can be removed (after many years) if the vessel ever needs a fuel tank replacement. The newer 208's no longer have this large removeable section of deck. I asked a dealer how one would replace the fuel tank in the newer 208 and he told me the new 208's have nylon tanks and will not need replacement like the older alluminum ones. Is that true? I would hate to have to cut the deck on a newer 208. Does that scare anyone?
plymouthgrady
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tank
you're putting the cart before the horse. That is a legitimate concern but you'll be on a 265 before it may be an issue. My '92 228 has an aluminum tank and it has not been an issue. (get the 228G!)
you're putting the cart before the horse. That is a legitimate concern but you'll be on a 265 before it may be an issue. My '92 228 has an aluminum tank and it has not been an issue. (get the 228G!)
futureowner said:
Indeed, the new tanks are poly. The downside is they do emit some odor, however it doesn't appear to ever be a problem. Another Grady owner I know stores his boat with the inspection plates off when his boat is covered.
Anyway, yeah, if you ever had to remove the deck for some reason you would have to cut it out. Do-able, but would definitely be a mess.
Scared? Naw, nothin' scares us Grady-owners
