grady 20' vs 22' center console

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jdr2

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I am looking to purchase a 20' or 22' Grady White center console. I will use it mostly for fishing in new york, Peconic bay and Shinecock bay. It must have a t-top. The 20' looks like more boat for the buck. How do they compare. What is the best engine for both models.

Thanks, jdr2
 
Welcome aboard!

Just a quick comment as you'll get some replies from CC owners here, but the hulls are the same so...

The 22 footer does run quite a bit more $$, but it's a bigger boat all around and will ride a little better in a seaway. It is also heavier so if you're trailering that may be a consideration depending on your tow-rig. Either boat is easy to launch and retrieve. If you're paying moorage they're going to be similar unless you miss a slip size limit and have to go bigger.

The smaller hull does great with an F150, any of the big blocks on the 22 - 200-250. Anything in recent years will have a Yamaha four-stroke, they are reliable, fuel efficient, and quiet (at idle, anyway!).

Were you looking a new, or resale? Lots better buys out there on the latter, but some guys just like to buy new stuff.

In new or used, equipment and accessories are expensive, so the better fit-out, the less you'll have to spend setting it up the way you want it. An electronics package can easily run into a few grand, depending on what you need/want. A T-top can be added to either one, so if you find one without you can have one built the way you like it.

You didn't say if you had owned boats, or Grady's in the past, but in any case they are a terrific product, good components, very nicely designed, and very well respected in the boating community. The owners here just love their boats!

Let us know what you find...and good luck!
 
you have the 150hp on this hull, what kind of performance do you get?
Regards, jdr2
On a side note, I curretly own a 30' Pursuit, a 18.5 Edgwater and a 18' action craft. I have also owned several other bigger power and sail boats.
 
I went through the same exact thing before i purchased my 22. I don't trailer mine so that was not a factor for me, however, if you are trailering i'd seriously look at that.

Both are great boats and i'm sure you'll be happy with either one but why not get what's best for you.

These are the reasons i chose the 22. There is a bit more room in the cockpit for fishing. My main use of the boat is for fishing so i also like the fact that in the 22 there aren't any stern seats. The bow platform offes a lot of fish storage and a great place to cast surface plugs. I also like to cast net bunker so it makes a perfect platform to stand with the net, scout out bunker and throw the net.

The 22 does offer a bit more weight and better ride, but the 209 has an excellent ride as well. I have a 225 yami 4s on the 22 and it moves the boat just fine.

I love my 222 but could have just as easily fell in love with a 209.

The positives to the 209 are probably less weight, less hp needed, therefore less fuel.


best of luck
 
jdr2 said:
you have the 150hp on this hull, what kind of performance do you get?
Regards, jdr2
On a side note, I curretly own a 30' Pursuit, a 18.5 Edgwater and a 18' action craft. I have also owned several other bigger power and sail boats.
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I have about 150 or so hours, but no fuel managment so can only estimate usage. The Grady site does have good charts on speeds, gph and mpg, on the various engine sizes.

I do know that $100 worth of fuel is good for a couple of weekends of playing on the water. Fuel costs are the least of my worries. We do a few runs a year to Catalina Island, it's 28 miles across the San Pedro Channel here on the west coast. A round trip and some trolling and puttering around fishing will burn about a third of a tank, or about 25 gallons. So we get at least 3mpg, probably a little better. The Grady report shows 3.84 at cruise, but we all know it's darn near impossible to duplicate. They show 4mpg on the 209 with the F150, that's a breath of fresh air compared to twin HPDI 200's on a 26 footer!!

I'm more happy with the performance now that I have used the boat for a couple of seasons. It's not a hot rod, but in most conditions you wouldn't want to carry any more speed anyway. In flat conditions a 200 would be nice, or if you plan to do a lot of water sports, boards, skiing, etc.

Cruise is about 27 at 42-4300rpm, WOT about 37-38, 2-3 people and half a tank. If I need to make speed and the water conditions permit it, I'll run at 45-4800 for about 30mph.

I run a 15x15 prop, the Grady test boat gets a little more speed with a 13-3/4X17. I gladly give up the top mph or two for a better hole-shot and wave climbing ability. She runs great in a sea. I have also not had any trouble getting on plane with a boat-load, 5-6 people and gear, so the 150 seems like a real economical package for the 20' hull.

Compare the performance data on the factory site. With the bigger motor you do pick up about 3-4mph on top end, but suffer a bit on fuel.
 
I looked at both before getting the 222. The 209 is underpowered with a 150 in my opinion. Add three or four people, bait, fuel, and equipment and that setup will struggle. I have the 222 with the 250 Yamaha and it will run 48 mph at 5900 rpms. You have to weigh the cost of the added HP on the 209 vs. the cost of the 222. When you power that 209 properly your price will be closer to the 222. Good Luck. :D
 
Bama96 said:
>snip
The 209 is underpowered with a 150 in my opinion.
>snip
...that setup will struggle.

I have the 222 with the 250 Yamaha and it will run 48 mph at 5900 rpms.
>snip
When you power that 209 properly...
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Uh, excuse me, but these comments following my post of real-world performance numbers on a 208/209 hull is a direct insult. In 'your opinion'... my boat is 'underpowered'. Geez. And to think we've put hundreds of miles on 'er, all underpowered and struggling. Isn't that just a shame!

90% of our running is in the Pacific Ocean, and there's usually a 1-2' chop with a crossing 6-8' swell, and every afternoon the daily 10-15kt westerlies kick it up to 3-4' whitecaps. Most of the time you have to throttle back to 18-22 mph to ride out the stuff. Doesn't really make any difference how many aboard, either. Most days you'd be soaked down in your CC boat. Andyour 48mph in your 22' boat would litterally beat you to death, or the boat.

I was sharing my actual experience with a very popular setup from Grady White in response to a direct inquiry from a new member. Sure, I have said many times, in really flat water where you can open 'er up, a bigger motor would be great. But underpowered and struggling?

In your opinion I bought a fifty thousand dollar dog, right? Gee, does my signature pick look like we're struggling? We're running at about 34 mph on Mojave Lake, just a month ago. Nope, it won't do 48 like yours...oh well, so it must not be 'powered properly'.
 
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I would also chime in that a 20 foot GW with F150 is not "underpowered". It is a very reasonable balance of cost/weight/performance. I have put hundreds of hours on this rig in all sorts of conditions and in my experience, a 150 on a 20' boat is a nice combination.
 
Chill dog. Different strokes for different folks. That's why they offer optional power on the boat.

FYI I ran an Overnighter with a 175 HP 2 stroke on the back for a few years and considered that marginal HP as well.
Waht it comes down to is not speed, its torqueand unless you've really ever needed it you wouldn't understand.
 
Sorry CJ. Don't take it personal. That is my opinion based on a sea trial with myself 6'5" 265 and my two fishing buds who are both 6'3 275lbs. We needed more torque. Their is more to HP than just top end speed. By the way your boat looks like it rides bow high and could use a little more HP. Always nice to have a little extra HP and not need it.
 
This issue of 20 vs 22 certainly hit some nerves. I went through this decision process a year ago. There is no right or wrong answer. Both boats are great. I spoke with many people including GW staff. My decision to get a 222 came down to the fact that it has a potti in the CC storage area ( for wive, daughter and granddaughter) and the extra 2 feet of length does make for a better ride. Power is a 225 yamaha 4 stroke. We are very happy with our boat and our decision.
 
If possible for the long term, in ease of usage and monthly/yearly affordability, I’d always go with the bigger boat.

However, a modern 150 HP is more than enough power for the 20’ hulls. But, to each their own, and if you and a crew of two weigh in at a 3rd of a ton, and you have the opportunity to do 50 mph, you’ll want to get as much HP as possible without soaking the scuppers…

Think about your use, the cost and overall functionality of the set-up and go!

Our 150 is perfect. A 200 would bring slightly better fuel efficiency, I’m sure. But we wouldn’t be able to move any faster over the surface of the open Pacific Ocean than we currently do. Even when loaded to the gills with gear and crew. In fact, I like her better when she's heavy out there.
 
Thanks for all the great feedback on the 20' vs 22'. I have been told by some Grady dealers that the two boats handle the same. The 22' is 2 foot longer and should outperform a shorter boat. The 20' layout is very nice and appears more flexable. The seats in the back are nice for guests. It almost appears that the 20' has more cockpit room. The storage space put in the 22' in place of the jump seats on the 20' ends up being a place to store more "stuff". I think it is time to test drive them both. I am in the used market so please keep ypur eyes open for good boats for me.

Best regards,
John
jdr2
jdr@hamptons.com
631-283-2051
 
not sure where you're from. But there area at least two 222's for sale on long island. Check newsday. i beleive an '04 and an '06 or '07
 
Good article. Thanks for posting.
Even though this primarily features a different boat and motor - an awesome rig I must add - the reviewer goes out of his way to mention that the F150 is a tried and tested choice for the modern, “younger” 208.

However, on the original question. A bigger boat is only better if practical for your application and where it will be kept when not in use.
 
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