Finally learned why people don't like the 228 swim platform

luckydude

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jun 5, 2020
Messages
1,288
Reaction score
601
Points
113
Age
62
Location
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Website
mcvoy.com
Model
Seafarer
Went out of Santa Cruz today, 9 mile run to a reef that holds rockfish and lings. Windy said 5@11, seemed fine but was not. It was more like 5@5, really rough ride out, had the tabs all the way down, didn't help. It's been a long time since I've had a ride that bad.

Up hill on the way out, down hill on the way back. And that way back was where I didn't like the swim platform. Those waves were moving about the same speed as I was, maybe faster, and they pushed me around. Leaned me way over.

I was fine, the boat was fine, but it was an uncomfortable ride home. 226 people, I salute you if your boat doesn't get pushed around.
 

Doc Stressor

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2009
Messages
1,186
Reaction score
295
Points
83
Location
Homosassa, FL
Model
Seafarer
As I've said before, in a bad sea I'd much rather be in a 226 vs a 228.

I hate it when a hull doesn't feel locked in and tracking straight.

But since I've gotten old and don't go out except in good sea conditions, I wish I had a 228.
 

luckydude

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Jun 5, 2020
Messages
1,288
Reaction score
601
Points
113
Age
62
Location
Santa Cruz Mountains, CA
Website
mcvoy.com
Model
Seafarer
As I've said before, in a bad sea I'd much rather be in a 226 vs a 228.

I hate it when a hull doesn't feel locked in and tracking straight.

But since I've gotten old and don't go out except in good sea conditions, I wish I had a 228.
I get both of your points. I haven't been in a 226 but I can imagine that the swim platform makes the 228 feel like a longer boat. For me, I love the enclosed transom, just feels safer.

I do love my 228, in a good sea, she is a nice boat.
 

Mustang65fbk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2020
Messages
2,577
Reaction score
682
Points
113
Age
38
Location
Seattle area
Model
Seafarer
The older 228 Seafarer's had the swim platform as an option, of which I'm assuming one could remove the swim platform if they wanted to?
 

mjm1957

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2015
Messages
54
Reaction score
19
Points
8
Age
67
Location
Long Island
Model
Seafarer
I have a 99 228 and it has a half swim platform on the port side. Comes in pretty handy when its 95 out and the grand kids want to swim and cool off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mustang65fbk

blynch

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Messages
104
Reaction score
52
Points
28
Location
Stamford, CT
Model
Seafarer
Wouldn't this issue be somewhat improved if the platform were designed (or modified) with "vents" for the water to pass through? I'm envisioning more of like a grid-looking design as opposed to a big flat sheet. I feel like you see this on big inboard boats with swim platforms sometimes.

Obviously a different product but this sort of thing
 

Beyond A Wake

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2022
Messages
238
Reaction score
43
Points
28
Age
73
Model
Freedom 335
Bigger full width swim platforms usually have blow out vents. They are small compared to total sq yardage !! Of platform though but it helps when lowering a hydraulic one into the water.

Nose up in following waters and eyes on speed vs water following.

H
 
  • Like
Reactions: Uncle Joe

billbass

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2023
Messages
82
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
64
Model
Freedom 235
Why did you have both tabs down?
 

doug228

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2020
Messages
143
Reaction score
45
Points
28
Age
36
Model
Seafarer
Following sea, no tabs for me!

In a big following sea Keep the bow high or it will bow steer, most Grady's will do it.

The older 228s with half swim platforms are ladder style, so no lift there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Uncle Joe

Mustang65fbk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2020
Messages
2,577
Reaction score
682
Points
113
Age
38
Location
Seattle area
Model
Seafarer
It's admittedly pretty rare that I do use my trim tabs because the waters around here are usually pretty protected, though I should probably make a habit of using them a bit more. I do agree with doug228 though, in that with a following sea I'll usually raise the bow up as high as I can and then leave it that way without hardly any adjustments of the trim tabs. Conversely, in a head sea I usually put the bow down a bit and use the throttle accordingly, also with little to no trim tab adjustments.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Uncle Joe

doug228

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2020
Messages
143
Reaction score
45
Points
28
Age
36
Model
Seafarer
I use my tabs all the time, balance the boat (always have an odd number of people) and keep the nose down. I try not to use the leg to drop the nose unless i really need too. Today we had a odd wind and current so i used the tabs to level off.

i wish i had bigger tabs like lucky does.
 

Uncle Joe

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Messages
420
Reaction score
152
Points
43
Location
Jamaica Bay, NY
Model
Offshore
So my local fishing crew pried out of me that I had the tabs down. Apparently that is a no-no so that might have been part of my problem.
Yes Lucky.....get her nose up in a following sea so you don't bow steer and work the throttle to try to keep her from surfing.
 

rocketguy88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2020
Messages
62
Reaction score
18
Points
8
Age
36
Location
Houston, TX
Model
Fisherman 236
So my local fishing crew pried out of me that I had the tabs down. Apparently that is a no-no so that might have been part of my problem.
5@5 does not sound like fun!!!! Unless needed to level the boat, put the trim tabs all the way up when in following seas.