gulfstream vs whaler conquest

[mattdjh]

I know this is grady site, and I am a big grady fan having just sold my adventure 208 after 5 years of ownership, but I am starting to open my mind to other brands. I had deposit down on a gulfstream 232 but the transom was rotten. Surveyor said he's never seen that in a newer grady but whatever....

I came across a couple Boston Whaler Conquest 255 lately and have been intrigued. Does anyone have any experience with these boats? Ride quality vs the gulfstream? It would be 2002 or newer boats. Any input would be appreciated thanks.

 

[Fishtales]

I'd go to the BW forum to get this answer. A guy I know has a 23 CC and it is a nice rig from fit and finish and ride. Has twin Mercs on it. BWs are on par with GW in my book and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it was what I was looking for.

 

[everwhom]

You haven't mentioned what years you're looking at... My previous boat before my Grady 330 express was a 1999 Whaler 28 Conquest. The ride in to the waves on that boat was NOT great by any standard. It needed a ton of tab to keep the bow down in a head sea (I even modified the tabs with a custom extension because they were too small) but would really pound your fillings out in anything more than a 2 ft wind-driven chop.

That was a strange hull design which they got rid of many years ago: It basically had an integrated bracket so the V did not run the full length of the boat (i.e. it was more like a 25 or 26 foot boat with a bracket). The bow entry was also too shallow because they tried to make more room in the cabin V-berth. It's a bit of an unfair comparison but my 330 Express is just night and day (as it should be).

Anyways, not sure about the 255, but I would DEFINITELY test ride the hull in sloppy seas to see how it handles. I think the Sea V2 hull is a pretty awesome trade off.

 

[HMBJack]

I like BW's because, like GW, McKee and Edgewater to name a few, they actually make a truly unsinkable boat.

Most brands do not advertise this because they are legally liable if their "foam filled" boat - sinks. BW however is the real deal on unsinkability (I think they invented it!).

So if you have two boats - say a BW Conquest and a GW Gulfstream - and they are both in mint condition, I'd say it's a bit of a toss up. There are both excellent choices with solid re-sale value. I've been on both and personally think the Gulfstream is a better design (for reasons which I'm too lazy to write up here) and has better "lines" (i.e. looks better on the trailer and in the water - probably due to the SeaVee2 Hull).

But the real tie breaker for me is the engines. Remember, these are POWER boats and the engine is like everything. Here, in my opinion, is where most people (like say 8 out of 10) would choose Yamaha over Mercury. To prove the point, find a service shop that works on ALL brands of outboards. Then ask who is the MOST experienced Mechanic. Ask him (or her) which brand holds up the best over a 10 year period.

In my own 40 years of boating experience, the imperfect Yamaha outboard engine still remains the best one out there. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

In your own particular case, you should determine if there is a reputable Mercury or Yamaha service shop near you. Knowing this can help in your decision. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[mattdjh]

Thanks for the info guys. I’m still looking to buy gulfstream all the way, but I am intrigued by the Boston whalers and the foam construction thing now too. My friend just bought a 250 outrage and it’s impressive, so I’m just wondering about the conquests. It would be 2002 - 2008 that I’m looking at and have no idea how it rides, but I’ve heard that the older whalers pounded through almost everything above 1‘ chop. The rotten transom on that gulfstream I had a deposit on freaked me out a little too...boat was used but presented In good condition.

So long Story short, still number 1 choice is a gulfstream, but looking for any thoughts before I spend time and money hunting down 255 conquest whalers. Found a few but None are close to me. Thanks!

 

[Captain Jeff]

Thank you for your heads up about the boats and engines. My last boat was a 210 outrage Boston Whaler with a verado. I am now looking to buy a BW 235 conquest or a Grady-white 228. The Grady White has a 3.3 L 250 and the wailer has a mercury Verrado 250 any thoughts?

 

[seasick]

There are lots of posts about the earlier Conquest ride in chop and heavy seas. That may not be an issue depending on what type of boating you do.
To me at my age, the lack of a transom door on the Gulfstream is a deal breaker. The 255 Conquest has a tuna door.
Both boats have small cabins and porta potty ish heads as standard gear. The handling of the 232 is better due to its wider beam and weight for that length hull.
The 232 can be difficult to handle at low speeds like docking when equipped with a single motor.
Neither hull is great for overnighting with the advantage to the 255 Whaler.

 

[Captain Jeff]

Thank you, Mr. seasick, do you or anybody have thought Boston Whaler 235 verses Grady White 228?

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

My first boat in Sardinia was a 98 Outrage 23 with twin Yamaha 150 and the 23 Conquest was also on the shopping list.
Fit and finish was definitively sub standard

• had several voids in Gelcoat who broke up and left a hole
• fiberglass under gunnel was not finished and fibers stung my hands several times,
• most of the hinges broke loose as the treaded copper ring to connect the two V head bolts corroded
• had to move the batteries from the stern inside th console as boat vas very stern heavy (probably fixed in later models)
• even with extra weight of the batteries midships she slammed like hell in typical steep short period chop above 2ft

Importer in Italy ignored any repair requests so i had to di it by my self

1st set of carbed Yamaha 150 changed with twin 150HDPI because of excessive fuel consumption, smoke, noise and continously fouling plugs
2nd set of 150 HDPI, one engine exploded at WOT after 3 years and about 300 hours, was a total loss but could trade in for twin F150
3rd set of F150 was the 2006 models with harmonic balancer issues but i did not had them till i sold the boat, no issues with the engines

Sea trialed a Outrage 32 in a boat show, ride was obviously better, but probably because length and rather flat seas.

I would never again buy a BW and consider them overpriced and overrated.

And then the story with Mercury only .....

I understand that my Canyon is a different beast, but better build, better designed and riding much much better.

Chris

 

[Mustang65fbk]

Thank you, Mr. seasick, do you or anybody have thought Boston Whaler 235 verses Grady White 228?

I can't give really any personal opinions on a Boston Whaler other than just specs and from what I've seen/heard/read online since I've never owned one of them before. That being said, based off the pictures of them I don't really like the layout, especially of the stern with it having a motor well style of transom that looks to take up quite a bit of space. I do have a 2004 Grady White 228 Seafarer and love pretty much everything about it. I think overall that the BW is a great looking boat and the hull itself looks imo to be similar looking to the GW, but the stern/transom of the BW isn't my cup of tea. Comparatively, the 228 Seafarer has a fully enclosed transom with a transom bracket on it, which imo is a bit safer and it definitely feels roomier, especially with it being a foot smaller in length. I don't mind the fold down seats on the BW as well as I really like the fish boxes in the floors as they don't take up spare room and maximize the space that you do have. That being said, the walkaround portion being recessed down looks quite narrow for those that are larger and need to walk up to the bow. I will say that BW owners seem to almost have a cult like following or loyalty to the brand and it's as if nothing else will do after owning one. I'm sure they make great boats, the fit and finish as well as the other quality parts used in the production seem to be comparable to the GW brand. The longer length, wider beam and heavier weight of the BW could likely make for a slightly smoother ride when compared to the 228 Seafarer. Though I will say, when I was looking for my boat, I was also tentatively looking at the BW 235 Conquest as well as the Pursuit 2470 Walkaround and the latter two always seemed to be at least $10k-$15k more than what the 228 Seafarer's were being listed for. There are a couple 235 Conquest's on BT currently, one for $39k and the other for $47k, of which neither comes with a trailer. I'll say that I paid $26.5k for my boat, of which it also came with a trailer, and even if there was the same year of BW 235 Conquest for sale for the same price as my boat at the time I was looking for mine... I'd probably still go with the Grady because of the design. Not trying to bash the BW by any means, just my thoughts and observations from someone that's admittedly never owned one before. If you're serious about possibly buying one, or even a GW, I'd step on both boats, see what you like about them and more importantly, what you dislike about each one. Another GW model that you might also consider would be the 232 Gulfstream, especially if you're looking for something with twin motors.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2006-boston-whaler-235-conquest-9272890/

 

[luckydude]

The 228 is an iconic hull, don't mess around with a BW in that size. The 255 is meh. The 285 might be better but gets shitty gas mileage. Ditto the 315.

I'd take a 232 with twins in a heart beat over pretty much any BW but that is just me.

 

[billyttpd]

Thank you for your heads up about the boats and engines. My last boat was a 210 outrage Boston Whaler with a verado. I am now looking to buy a BW 235 conquest or a Grady-white 228. The Grady White has a 3.3 L 250 and the wailer has a mercury Verrado 250 any thoughts?

the BW Conquest has a wider beam. between it and a Seafarer I would probably chose the Conquest.