GW 258 Journey Reviews

[Lmoe2910]

Good morning,
Looking for some reviews of the 258 Journey with twin Yamaha 150's. Would be moving up from a 23CC to the 258 and just curious what current or previous owners do or don't like about this model. Seems like a good fit for a small family but I've never been on one and they don't seem to come up for sale very often. I'm assuming there's very little comparison but I've been on bigger GWs like the 30 marlin and 28CC several times. Thanks for any input.

The boat would be used on the middle Chesapeake bay with a possible offshore trip or 2 out of Ocean City during the summer. Probably wouldn't be overnighting on the boat more than once per year. I Typically spend 200-250hrs per year on my current boat.

 

[family affair]

The boat is meant to be trailerable. If you don't plan to trailer, I'd consider a wider beam boat for more room.
The cabin is great for 2 adults, or an adult and a kid or 2 to sleep in - plenty long with all the cushions in place. Cabin height is only around 5'6" or so, but offers plenty of storage and flushable head space.
With twin 150s it should fly.
As for the ride, I can only comment on the 248. Very similar boat, but slightly different hull.

 

[Lmoe2910]

Thank you for your response. The boat will be trailered from time to time for sure. The 258 fits in the range for a 1500 truck tow it and if I had to repower it I could still be all in for $100k or slightly less. Which hull is the closest comparison to the Journey? The 28 Sailfish?
If anyone has one in the Maryland/Kent island area that they would be willing to let me look at that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[family affair]

The GW 255 and 257 will be the same hulls. The DC will be the closest comparison to the 258.
The 282 is a different animal.

 

[Lmoe2910]

Ok thanks. I appreciate it.

 

[HalcyonDays]

258 Journey is a great boat, loved mine.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

Per the brochure, the dimensions on the GW 248 Voyager and the GW 258 Voyager are the exact same, with the one exception of the fuel tank on the 258 Voyager being slightly larger. For some reason in 2004, they switched the name of the 258 Voyager to the 258 Journey, and it appears to be identical in nature except for some reason the hull draft went from 15" to 16". Which seems odd that they would only change one thing on the boat, and have it be such a minor change. If I was looking for a larger boat than my 228 Seafarer and wanted to stick with a Grady White, which I don't imagine I ever will need a larger boat than what I have, I'd likely go with a 232 Gulfstream. The only funky thing about the 232 Gulfstream is that the cabin design is a bit odd with having essentially a bunk bed. Whether that makes any difference to you or not, that's another story. My neighbor has a 270 Islander and that is a massive boat, of which I think it's much too big for what we do and that is trolling for salmon as well as checking crab pots.

 

[HalcyonDays]

I am quite certain the GW 258 Journey's swim platform/ transom is integrated into the hull where on the 248 Voyager it is not. The Voyager had what was often referred to as a Eurobracket type setup . The two boats from above waterline appear the same.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I am quite certain the GW 258 Journey's swim platform/ transom is integrated into the hull where on the 248 Voyager it is not. The Voyager had what was often referred to as a Eurobracket type setup . The two boats from above waterline appear the same.

It's difficult to tell via the pictures, but the biggest difference that I can see is the 248 Voyager has a different stern layout where it's like the earlier version of the 232 Gulfstrean in that it has a cutout rear seat. The 2003 258 Voyager as well as the 2004 and newer 258 Journey have the same pictures in the brochure, but they have a fold down rear seat instead of one that is cut out.

https://gradywhite.blob.core.windows.net/media/21321/2002.pdf

https://gradywhite.blob.core.windows.net/media/21320/2003.pdf

https://gradywhite.blob.core.windows.net/media/21319/2004.pdf

 

[family affair]

The 248-258 was a similar evolution as the 268-270, 272-282, etc. Typically the 1st part of the evolution was extending the running surface to handle the weight of 4 strokes. As Stang said the next evolution was the redesign of the aft seat to a fold down.
Word was Chrysler took issue with the Voyager name and GW caved and in came the Journey.
The 248 was never a bracketed boat.

 

[Lmoe2910]

That’s interesting and makes more sense now. Thanks for the replies from everyone.