Is Grady Quality still There?

[Firenailer]

Just wondering what the group feeling is about Grady's Quality these days. I ran my '96 208 for over 18 years here in the North East and only had a couple of minor problems.

On my new 2015 while the problems are relatively minor, this first season saw the gas sending unit fail (twice), a gunwale to floorboard blemish and minor crack in the gel coat down the inside corner of the rear seat and port sidewall, in front of the port battery compartment, and a broken zipper stop on the front of the Sunbrella Top. (Apparently it came that way and I only noticed when I tried to install the front curtain this Fall).

The Dealer has been great and is going to repair any and all problems when we pull it at the end of the season. Admittedly, these are all very minor issues but it kind of takes some of the shine off of getting a new boat.

What do you think? Is Grady quality control as good as it once was?

 

[gulfcoastangler]

For me I now own my first Grady. We purchased a 07 330 express and after owning several other boats I find the quality of the boat very nice. Of course not perfect but find me one that is. There is definitely room for improvement but that could fall on where they get some of the products from. One thing I found was all the connectors they use on the fresh water system sink, shower, ect. were leaking. The plastic fittings are junk they should use something better. Maybe since 07 they have changed it. The access for generator is horrible they should have it on a track so you can move it and also have a harness that you can disconnect at generator location in case you have to pull it out. We have been looking at the 360 now and have seen new ones with the wood laminate in cabin coming off and corrosion in the freezer on tracks which I think they changed. All in all a well made boat but it has the price tag for a better made boat. The other thing I do not like is Grady is no help to the consumer without going through a dealer. We purchased our boat and dealer did not give us the key to cabin that we know they had because they unlocked it to show us the cabin. Now of course six months later we have no key after going back and forth with grady and ordering a key from a dealer we ended up with wrong key so still no key. I really love the new 370 but I can only dream about that one 8). To sum it up If we had deeper water I would probably have a Cabo or similar.

 

[Fishtales]

I don't think you can buy many hand made products of this size and not have a few issues.
That being said, how you are treated really matters after the sale. Was the dealer responsive, if a warranty issue did GW step up, was it corrected the first time etc.
I'm sure the factory has had it's share of challenges during the economic downturns and needed to reduce or shift labor. I find the company more than fair and their dealer (albeit a sample size of one) very good.

 

[bfloyd4445]

another point i wish to make. I'm 70 and seen lots of boat companies come and go over the years some of whom needed to go and others like Down East Yatchs of Santa Anna Ca., Uniflite, to name a couple I would like to still have around. Both those companies were owned by a no compromise quality ceo and both bit the dust when things got tight. Down East boats havent been made since about 82 and there are tons of them out there still commanding high prices. DE boats have a reputation for being unsinkable and have proven that even in the perfect storm. Yes, all of the westsails made after 76 were made by Down East. They also made a 40 foot trawler with an electric come home motor. Can you imagine that, a hybrid diesel over twenty years before the prius was born designed by a guy that wanted to give his customers a single engine economical trawler that would have a get home capability if the main engine died. The option was less than $300.00. I owned one and wish i still had the boat.
anyway, my point being that manufacturers if they must cut costs should cut costs on shower hoses etc. not on hull structure and safety fittings railings. Its easy to save money on items that cant be seen but in a boat not in the best interests of the owner
get the picture. Find me a Grady with a cracked hull...you cant do that but i can find you a ....liner with a craked hull cause it was built to flimsey. Pm me and I'll tell you about the boat that broke. was new too by the way. A GRADY would never do that

 

[Legend]

My first GW was a 1985 Seafarer and we had a few issues from day 1. Developed a crack from the fuel fill halfway to to the floor. They fixed it and neve had an issue with it again. The fresh water drinking faucet had a burned out pump . Again fixed with not issues
Second boat a 2004 Gulfstream had a couple of minor issues that were corrected and never came back

Currrent Sailfish relatively flawless except a crack in the cabin headliner which was repaired and not an issue

I think they all have a few bugs but as a previous member posted - bound to happen and judge it by how the dealer handles it

 

[family affair]

With the exception of the gelcoat, the problems you mentioned are supplier issues, not Grady manufacturing issues. At best Grady likely reviews quality issues with suppliers quarterly, unless something is consistently showing up frequently.
The issues you mention while annoying and disheartening are really minor in the grand scheme of things. A products real integrity only becomes evident when exposed to many hours of the environment it was engineered for. Since no one has a time machine, the only thing you can go off of is the company's reputation. I don't think you have much to worry about!

My advice would be to run it hard while under warranty. If there is anything really wrong, you'll find out in a year.

 

[mboyatt]

YES.

 

[megabytes]

All hand made boats will have defects. It is the customer service which makes the difference, and there is none better than GW.

 

[gulfcoastangler]

Please tell me who to talk to at Grady because the only response I get when I call is i have to go through a dealer. The dealer ruined the cushion in our cabin and Grady does not have it anymore so they expect me to pay 9k and replace them all ????? The boat was a late model 07 purchased end of 08 and I can't get a cushion really? Then dealer lost cabin key and can't get that either?? Great service...

 

[wspitler]

I gave up on that dealer as well, bad experience all around. GW needs to evaluate what their dealers do. They give the whole brand a bad reputation.

 

[gulfcoastangler]

Its a shame should not be like that.

 

[LastChance]

Having done a number of modifications since our purchase, I have had an opportunity to see our 2005 Marlin 300 from the inside out, and I would say the quality is there. Robust construction, attention to detail and very likely a very labor intensive product to build. And Grady's customer service folks are second to none.

Just my .02

 

[Firenailer]

I was back up at the dealer yesterday and added a leaking starboard cabin window to the list. So far they're supportive and are documenting and repairing as necessary.

I agree, so far they are minor issues - BUT - these aren't Bayliners, there is no reason a boat should leave their factory less than perfect. It will get fixed or get sold.

 

[SoutheastFL]

Please tell me who to talk to at Grady because the only response I get when I call is i have to go through a dealer. The dealer ruined the cushion in our cabin and Grady does not have it anymore so they expect me to pay 9k and replace them all ????? The boat was a late model 07 purchased end of 08 and I can't get a cushion really? Then dealer lost cabin key and can't get that either?? Great service...

Perhaps this company can help as they advertise themselves as being a "Grady White Specialist." From their website:

"Bluewater Canvas & Upholstery Pompano offers you completely custom made cushions for the interior and exterior of your boat. Whether it be with our specialized marine vinyls, or our interior Sunbrella fabrics, we have the capabilities and no job is too complicated for us.

If you have a cushion you want us to replicate, bring it in – or even just bring in the cover – our experts will take it from there.

We are very proud of the work we do, and are only happy when our customers are happy."

http://bluewatercanvas.com/upholstery/

 

[fishbust]

I am happy with my 2000. It did take me some time to find the right one. They are boats and many times victims of their owners neglect and/or abuse, just like all other boats. I have a good one.

And not many companies could I email about a 14 year old product and get a return phone call with answers like I just bought a new boat yesterday. That is how they keep customers.

 

[Firenailer]

This is a brand new 2015. I don't think neglect is the issue, and having owned my '96 208 for 18 years I thought I knew what to expect when I bought another 208 from Grady White.

I'm not sure this one will be as bullet proof as my last one. Hopefully it's just a couple of kinks to get worked out.

 

[bigwaves]

Having owned several Grady's the hull fit and finish is really good. Currently own a 2014 230 Fisherman. I don't think the add on are what the used to be. The swim platform ladder has rusted shut and the replacement is showing the same issue. The canvas is of lower quality that the old days. I am thinking of replacing next year. Grady also replaced the windshield and the canvas brackets along the t-top. My next grady will have less add-ons and let the canvas makers and custom shops work their add-on magic.