Help with possibly choosing Grady White Boat

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Angermanagement

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Just wanted to reach out to anyone who has any experience/info on the following boats in regards to how the ride, the major differences between the two and any other recommendations both positive or negative. Looking at these, pursuits, or possible Robalo

290 Chesapeake
300 Marlin
305 Express

I have never rode on a grady white, but want a boat that will handle the chop very well and give a comfortable ride. I mainly use it for fishing but do have a family that will like to go out for pleasure as well.

Thanks again
 
I own a 360, have owned a 330 and 180. Have also owned several Pursuits, from a 24 to a 30.

You won't be disappointed with any of the GW's, but a couple things to think about:

a. safety: all GW's are unsinkable. Pursuits and other well built boats are not (Intrepid, Robalo, etc.). How much is that a factor for you and your family? One reason I moved to GW, even though I carry a life raft, EPIRB, etc, knowing the hull will ALWAYS float is a huge factor for me

b. fishing vs cruising: the boats you reference can do both, but what's the %? If I was going to fish 90% of the time, I would consider different boats, fish box sizes, etc, but for a solid balance of fishing / cruising / family comfort / all around water fun, go there and balance how much you can do on the boat that you WILL do. ie, a huge fish box is not much good unless you either: a. fish a lot, or b. plan to keep it stocked with beer

c. warranty / service: the ONE single issue boaters hate most is lack of service after the sale. Check surveys, user ratings, boat forums, etc and see who still loves their boats, dealers and mfg's a year or two after the sale. You will get the info you need that way and not someones hype or personal opinion.

Just my .02 but good luck, GW is about as good as they come and you can get some huge bargins these days
 
Hi,
I would go with the 30' hull if you can. I have not priced the 29, but it can't be that much less - same power package and the 30 hull is well proven and more spacious.

The 300 is more for family fishing and cruising and the 305 is more for family cruising and fishing in my opinion. They are on the same hull, both 3 piece boats and pretty close. There are a few threads in this site on both - both are fine boats just tailored a little different to meet the needs of the customer use case.

GWs are well built and proven. Maybe a little less flash than some others out there, but what you trade off in flash you get in proven design, reliability and factory/dealer support.

I've had the 28 sailfish (a little smaller than the 29) and the 30 marlin and the 30 is a total different boat. If you can afford it, get the 30 footer and get the layout that meets your needs better.
 
Great input and advice. I would bet (of course, depends on your needs, budget, also whether you will trailer the boat or keep in a slip / marina) that you can find some really awesome deals out there these days. Go ride multiple hulls and see what fits your needs best, including the layout. I bought the 3070 Pursuit based on ride vs cabin, a huge mistake on my part when my boss (you know) decided we should cruise some and not just fish all the time. Well...... Buy based on what you will do 90% of the time and you will be fine. For the other 10% you can charter, get a motel room or try Plan B but don't buy for something that will fit <50% of what you really plan to use the boat for
 
Fishtales (Danny) said it well. Them 29 is new so not many here have any experience with it but the 30' hull is the way to go if you can afford it.
There has been much discussion on the 300 vs. 305. There are owners of both here who can help you with specifics on each model. It is really about which layout works best for you. Also note the 305 is a bit more expensive.

There are some great deals around now for both new and used boats. There has never been a better time to get a great price IF you don't have to sell a boat in order to buy.
 
We are enjoying our third Grady. We have also had an Aquasport (now out of business) , a C-Hawk (out of business, I think) A SeaRay (since we owned it bought by Brunswick from the original owner) and a SteigerCraft. I think you see a pattern here; Grady has been under the same ownership for...40 years? My wife and I visited the Grady plant last month and I can tell you that the quality control starts when the raw material enters the plant and doesn't end even after the finished product is ready for shipment. The tour guide we had, a member of the engineering department, has worked there 24 years, knew every detail of every Grady we had owned. Coincidentally, the day before we were there Fountain boats filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy.

I don't mean to malign any of the manufacturers you are considering, only pointing out that as others have said here there is more to boating satisfaction than the day we buy it love affair. Add to that the ride, fit and finish of the Grady and as far as I am concerned they can't be beat. I should add that when we resold our other two Gradys we were very satisfied with the selling price and on a percentage basis one of the ones we sold (after owning for 7 years) lost less than the "luxury" car we had bought, also seven years before, and sold the same month as the Grady.

There is no such thing as the "perfect boat"; they are all a matter of tradeoffs of various things. For example, I'd love to buy a new Grady at half the price and that went twenty nautical miles on a gallon of gas. But, in my opinion, Grady sets the standard against which every other manufacturer should be held. I think they'd win 100% of the time.

Anyway, good luck in your search. Nothing beats a day on the water in beautiful weather, even if it's a canoe.
 
Still waiting for first Chesapeake owner to appear on this site with their report.

Perhaps next year.
 
I own a Tournament 225 but while @ Amelia Island this summer I stopped by Lockwood Marine's now closed Jacksonville store to dream a while. I crawled all over a Chesapeake, a 305, and a 330 that they had side by side. It was really a great opportunity to go over each boat right next to each other and to go from one to another to compare features. If I could afford it there is no doubt in my mind that I would take the 330 first and then the 305. Don't get me wrong. The Chesapeake was a very nice boat, but you give up 8" in beam and 1200 lbs in displacement to a 305. Plus things that are standard on the 305 are options on the Chesapeake like the windlass, the companion bench seat, and the stereo. Plus the 305 comes standard with a vacuflush head while an electric flush head is an option on the Chesapeake. Personally, and you may disagree, but I like the Express style better than the walkaround. Try to go to a boat show or a dealer where you can do what I did and go from one to another and back again comparing all the details and spaces. I think you'll make up your mind correctly and quickly about what meets your needs.
I'm just sorry Lockwood Marine closed their J'ville store. Hopefully someone else can fill their shoes in J'ville.
 
The 305 gives you the center helm and a little more room there. The Marlin gives you more walk around room to the bow. The 300 Marlin is a heck of a boat. I love mine. :D You really can't go wrong with any of the ones you listed. Welcome to the site and hope you become a part of the family soon.
 
Had a Sailfish and now have a 2001 Marlin and just finished my fourth summer running back and forth to the Bahamas, including an 18-day trip to the Abacos, Bahamas where we slept aboard every night!

If you have a family, I would strongly suggest a Marlin. For running around, cruising, etc, guess where the kids (of ALL ages!) like to sit? Up on the three-cushioned bow! You have very easy access up there and a safe and secure place to sit three people. You won't have that on the 305 or the 330. I can seat 10 people on G-W seat cushions on my Marlin.

If you will be trailering, then a Chesapeake or a late model Sailfish would be your best choice.........

I recently took a Southwest Airlines crew out for a ride around Ft Lauderdale and F/A "Morgan" soon figured out where the really good seats are on my Marlin!!

Boat004.jpg
 
If I had to point out the single most significant difference in the 300 and 305 it would be the helm/cockpit layout.

The 305 has a much larger helm deck at the expense of cockpit space. This would be great for cruising with kids. The 300 has less seating, especially at the helm, but has a huge cockpit for a 30' boat.

The 305 also has some new features/options such as chill plates, cockput switches, sun hatch in hardtop, etc which will likely be added to the 300 when it undergoes the next update. I am lobbying for helm deck a/c on next 300. :D
 
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