Gulfstream vs 258 for fishing?

[Tarheel1]

Gulfstreams have made my shortlist of what I am looking to move into next because I think it’s the biggest 23 I ever been on and I liked the cockpit room . I am not well versed in different Grady models so how does the 258 stack up to the Gulfstream ? Also, is there any other model in that similar length to the gulfstream that I should be looking at specifically if I am going to predominantly fish.

thanks

 

[ElyseM]

can't help on the comparison to the 258 (especially since i'm not familiar with that model). but, i did a lot of comparisons when we bought our gulfstream in 2002. all other brands had to go to a 25' for parity. even the 265 Express was marginally "larger" save for the cabin. they did reconfigure the cockpit so i can't speak to that. good luck, ron

 

[magicalbill]

I always hesitate to answer any questions pertaining to fishing as I don't fish at all.

I am chiming in here, only because I owned a Gulfstream and I rode several times on a good friends 258.

The 258 rides a bit better in a head or quartering sea likely due to the narrower beam-to-length ratio it has. The Gulfstream is a bit of a "widebody", so it tends to slap a little more.

Gulfstream gives you more width, therefore room, forward to get to and from the helm. I would think more room translates to more comfortable fishing.

Both are capable coastal cruisers and offshore wagons on the right days. I advise twins on either boat....I think we chatted about twins on a Gulfstream in another post.

 

[ElyseM]

yes, a 9'3" beam. stable at drift or anchor (my propensity). i was always fine under power, but i match speed to sea conditions and i rarely exceed 30 mph. not like the Haulover videos I've seen

 

[Ryhlick]

I own a 228 but regularly fish on the 258. The 258 is a great boat a rides really well in most conditions. I have only been on a gulf stream once, and it is big for the size. I will say the deck space is adequate on the 258 but the deck space on my 228 seems bigger. Either way you can not go wrong. Good luck with your decision and Merry Christmas.

 

[Tarheel1]

I always hesitate to answer any questions pertaining to fishing as I don't fish at all.

I am chiming in here, only because I owned a Gulfstream and I rode several times on a good friends 258.

The 258 rides a bit better in a head or quartering sea likely due to the narrower beam-to-length ratio it has. The Gulfstream is a bit of a "widebody", so it tends to slap a little more.

Gulfstream gives you more width, therefore room, forward to get to and from the helm. I would think more room translates to more comfortable fishing.

Both are capable coastal cruisers and offshore wagons on the right days. I advise twins on either boat....I think we chatted about twins on a Gulfstream in another post.

yes, thanks MagicBill. Just trying to see if there anything else I should be looking at besides the Gulfstream.
Merry Christmas and have a Happy &Healthy 2021

 

[Tarheel1]

I own a 228 but regularly fish on the 258. The 258 is a great boat a rides really well in most conditions. I have only been on a gulf stream once, and it is big for the size. I will say the deck space is adequate on the 258 but the deck space on my 228 seems bigger. Either way you can not go wrong. Good luck with your decision and Merry Christmas.

I have never been on either 228 or 258, are you saying that the deck space is bigger on the 228 than both 258 and the 232.
thank you, and Merry Christmas to you to sir

 

[magicalbill]

Tarheel:

Thanks for the Holiday Wishes; Have a great 2021!

 

[Ryhlick]

I have never been on either 228 or 258, are you saying that the deck space is bigger on the 228 than both 258 and the 232.
thank you, and Merry Christmas to you to sir

Not bigger than the 232, longer deck space on the 228 than the 258 but 6” narrower.

 

[Bird Blaster]

Great question; tagged for interest.

I am currently in the market for a twin engined 232 or 258. I haven't been on either boat but am considering both for purchase.

I think the ride quality as listed above in different seas is something to think about. For where I live I suspect the 258 probably would be the better riding boat. I think the 232 probably is a better fishing boat, especially the 2006+ model years. Having the extra width as well as the very large aft fishbox are a big deal.

The only thing I have not had good information on is the cruise/max speed of a twin 150 258; I can't seem to find reliable info to know how it compares to the 232.

 

[Ryhlick]

Great question; tagged for interest.

I am currently in the market for a twin engined 232 or 258. I haven't been on either boat but am considering both for purchase.

I think the ride quality as listed above in different seas is something to think about. For where I live I suspect the 258 probably would be the better riding boat. I think the 232 probably is a better fishing boat, especially the 2006+ model years. Having the extra width as well as the very large aft fishbox are a big deal.

The only thing I have not had good information on is the cruise/max speed of a twin 150 258; I can't seem to find reliable info to know how it compares to the 232.

On my friends 258 with twin yamaha 150's, top speed loaded was 42 mph according to the gps. I have no clue on how it compares to the 232.

 

[Bird Blaster]

Seems relatively comparable to the 232 w twin 150's then

 

[Tarheel1]

I found an older gulfsteam I am giving a hard look at with Twin Yami 150s. wish it was alittle newer though

 

[wahoo33417]

When we bought our 2005 258 our dealer gave us a 232 to fish for a day as a comparison. As magical said, we thought 258 to head sea a bit better. Maybe 232 took following sea a bit better. Obviously more deck space on 232. But selling point for me was the transom on the 258. Most 'fishable' transom in Grady's lineup at the time, in my opinion.

 

[Bird Blaster]

When we bought our 2005 258 our dealer gave us a 232 to fish for a day as a comparison. As magical said, we thought 258 to head sea a bit better. Maybe 232 took following sea a bit better. Obviously more deck space on 232. But selling point for me was the transom on the 258. Most 'fishable' transom in Grady's lineup at the time, in my opinion.

I recall you writing similar in a different post.

I wonder why they got rid of the 258? Did it just not sell that well compared to the 232?

I know I don't see a lot of late model 258's on the market...they seem hard to come by.

 

[magicalbill]

It is worthy of note that Wahoo completed a significant amount of the Great Loop aboard his 258 and it served him well.

I know because I was an avid follower of his "Journey" (pun intended.)

BB:

Why did they discontinue it? Speculation here, but possibly to make room for the incredible amount of Dual Console Freedoms & CC's that are the rage nowadays.

 

[Bird Blaster]

Yeah maybe just the DC craze. I know when I started getting the bug to upgrade to a grady 2-3years ago all I was looking at was DC's. I'm glad I spent time researching. I am only looking at WA's now. I think it is going to serve my purpose much better!

 

[wahoo33417]

Magical and Bird are correct. Grady discontinued the mid-size walkarounds to make room for more dual consoles on the factory floor. Grady told me that DCs were outselling WAs 10 to 1 at the time.

With consideration of size, the 258 is the best riding, handling and fishing of the four Grady's we've owned (so far!)

 

[Bird Blaster]

Magical and Bird are correct. Grady discontinued the mid-size walkarounds to make room for more dual consoles on the factory floor. Grady told me that DCs were outselling WAs 10 to 1 at the time.

With consideration of size, the 258 is the best riding, handling and fishing of the four Grady's we've owned (so far!)

Wahoo.
Sorry for my ignorance. What are all the GW's you've owned?

NM - I see it now on your list; it wasn't showing up on my phone.

 

[Tarheel1]

When we bought our 2005 258 our dealer gave us a 232 to fish for a day as a comparison. As magical said, we thought 258 to head sea a bit better. Maybe 232 took following sea a bit better. Obviously more deck space on 232. But selling point for me was the transom on the 258. Most 'fishable' transom in Grady's lineup at the time, in my opinion.

just curious, why is the 258 the most fishable transom? with the Eurotransom and the way the aft is configured, it seems like you are still a few feet away from the water when up against the gunnels. With one Engine or twins on bracket of a 232 , it still is more fishable in my humble opinion