I am looking to buy and have it narrowed down to the 30' Bimini of Grady and the Hydra Sport 2900, how is the ride in the Grady do you get much sea spray, it is not as heavy as hydra Sport but seems to have more extras more of family boat? I want to be able to go out in 3-4 ft seas and not get beat up.
Bimini 306
- Thread starter WEN
- Start date
Welcome to the board. I don't have any first hand experience on the 2900 but from what I know, I would say your assessment is fairly accurate. My boat has the same hull as the 306 but it is bit heavier. GWs are designed to be multipurpose with lots of amenities and family friendly features. There are hulls which will take a head seas faster but at the expensive of roll. There is always a question of comfort vs. speed as the seas grow.
I came in from the stream in June into a solid 3-4 white cap sea with around a 4-5 second period. The seas were W and I was on a NW heading so we were taking them on forward port quarter. With the tabs down I was able to make 18-20 kts in comfort. As we got closer to the hill and the seas dropped a foot I was up to 24-25 kts with much less spray.
Some would run faster in such conditions at the expense of some hard landings. I'd rather arrive a few minutes later with all my teeth.
The 306 has a wide beam with tons of fishing room. It is especially good for bottom fishing. Good luck!
I came in from the stream in June into a solid 3-4 white cap sea with around a 4-5 second period. The seas were W and I was on a NW heading so we were taking them on forward port quarter. With the tabs down I was able to make 18-20 kts in comfort. As we got closer to the hill and the seas dropped a foot I was up to 24-25 kts with much less spray.
Some would run faster in such conditions at the expense of some hard landings. I'd rather arrive a few minutes later with all my teeth.
The 306 has a wide beam with tons of fishing room. It is especially good for bottom fishing. Good luck!
hydra vs grady
wen.....I can compare my 273 with a 245 from hydra sport if that helps. They both ride the almost the same with the extra length of the 273 being a big addition over the 245. What I found alarming was I actually fell thru one of the floor lockers on the 245. It wasn't my boat and it had 2 or 3 (forgot the number) of lockers in the floor. The two bigger fish boxes where good but the one right in front of the center console, well lets just say a small child would be in trouble. Nice fitting door but the issue was they only had a 1/4 piece of SS to hold it up. Well let me tell you my size 12 went thru that door like it was butter and I didn't stop til I hit bottom....I think I still see the stars from time to time from that drop. Sense then my buddy addressed that issue but I find myself very uneasy in the boat and actually go out of my way to not step on the floor lockers and not lean on the t-top, etc. As far as everything else, the grady seems to better thought out and gives you more flexibilty then the hydra sport. Good example is batteries they were still under the gunnel in the stern vs grady with the batteries in the center console....both about equal in getting to. I think the hydra had more pull out drawers while the grady had coaming pads all around the boat while the hydra had it in select places which I thought was very odd. I've fished many times with this buddy, he sold the boat about year ago now his boat was 99 or 00 model and I'm sure things have been changed quite a bit and being you are comparing the larger models I'm sure things are way different.....would I buy a hydra, well the 41 has caught my eye, but before I do anything, i'll be checking those lockers and the other things I mentioned before. Main thing is I will be taking a sea trial that is most certain.....PS, I don't think they make a center console that won't get you wet sometime or another, heck 3-4 ft seas, I run with the 273 in those, do I get wet, only if the wind blows and if course it will and the water will end up right in your face.....thats what they make plastic for.....get the best boat that fits your needs, this is just my 2 cents
wen.....I can compare my 273 with a 245 from hydra sport if that helps. They both ride the almost the same with the extra length of the 273 being a big addition over the 245. What I found alarming was I actually fell thru one of the floor lockers on the 245. It wasn't my boat and it had 2 or 3 (forgot the number) of lockers in the floor. The two bigger fish boxes where good but the one right in front of the center console, well lets just say a small child would be in trouble. Nice fitting door but the issue was they only had a 1/4 piece of SS to hold it up. Well let me tell you my size 12 went thru that door like it was butter and I didn't stop til I hit bottom....I think I still see the stars from time to time from that drop. Sense then my buddy addressed that issue but I find myself very uneasy in the boat and actually go out of my way to not step on the floor lockers and not lean on the t-top, etc. As far as everything else, the grady seems to better thought out and gives you more flexibilty then the hydra sport. Good example is batteries they were still under the gunnel in the stern vs grady with the batteries in the center console....both about equal in getting to. I think the hydra had more pull out drawers while the grady had coaming pads all around the boat while the hydra had it in select places which I thought was very odd. I've fished many times with this buddy, he sold the boat about year ago now his boat was 99 or 00 model and I'm sure things have been changed quite a bit and being you are comparing the larger models I'm sure things are way different.....would I buy a hydra, well the 41 has caught my eye, but before I do anything, i'll be checking those lockers and the other things I mentioned before. Main thing is I will be taking a sea trial that is most certain.....PS, I don't think they make a center console that won't get you wet sometime or another, heck 3-4 ft seas, I run with the 273 in those, do I get wet, only if the wind blows and if course it will and the water will end up right in your face.....thats what they make plastic for.....get the best boat that fits your needs, this is just my 2 cents
Interesting timing on the question because a good friend just bought a Hyda-Sports 2900 VX. We traded off shore fishing trips several times while in the Florida Keys recently in 5+ foot seas. The Hyda Sport is a very nice boat with all the goodies, especially for overnight trips but even the proud new owner acknowledged the ride was no match for my 283 Release. I have not ridden in the Bimini but am sure it rides even better than the 283. I assume the Hydra-Sports center console has a similar ride to the cuddy model based in similar dimensions and weight. I would rate it as a very good ride in seas. I'd rate the Grady as a great ride. Hope this helps.
Blackbird,
thanks for reply that is a very good comparison, i have a friend that also has the 283 that i have rode in and it is a very smooth ride as you said and i am sure the bimini will ride even better.
Thanks
thanks for reply that is a very good comparison, i have a friend that also has the 283 that i have rode in and it is a very smooth ride as you said and i am sure the bimini will ride even better.
Thanks
I have owned 2 306 and spent lots of time on the boats. It is a great fishing machine that also have lots of creature comforts. The boat has a great ride and is stable at rest. If you are doing lots of offshore running, I would recommend the wings just in case the wind blows up. If you need anything, let me know. I bet it would be hard to find someone else with more time on a Bimini.
A little late on this, but i was an owner of a 306 and a very happy owner too. Before i by this boat, i had test the the Hydra(both 29 and 33 c/c), the triton, the whaler, and the fountain. The closest to the Grady IMHO was the Triton, but it was something about that boat that i did not like, i don't know exactly, as far as the other boats, way far from the Bimini.
I've been in that boat in some really nasty off shore seas and she handle like it was a pond. My next choice after selling this one was the 336, but the wife had other plans, so we got the 330. I wish i still had the Bimini though.
I've been in that boat in some really nasty off shore seas and she handle like it was a pond. My next choice after selling this one was the 336, but the wife had other plans, so we got the 330. I wish i still had the Bimini though.
I have owned 2 Bimini's and we love them. Great ride, fit & finish few can match. I can't speak for the Hydra Sports. I am sure they are a good ride and they sure look nice. I would choose the Bimini any day. Great resale. That's just my opinion. Good luck with your decision.