I just finished my first season with my New Grady 232. Thought I would share my experience and compare with my prior boats. Some random thoughts.
I've owned three brands, each brand new. 2007 Pursuit 335, 2008 EdgeWater 188, 2014 EdgeWater 208, and currently a 2016 Grady White 232.
All are top tier boats! Loved every one.
The Pursuit was the most beautiful, with the sweetest ride and entry. Put 1100 hours on it throughout Alaska. No one appreciates how a boat should look, like Pursuit. A boat should have gorgeous "lines", Pursuit designers know "lines". Why they dropped the 335 hull is a mystery to me. It was the perfect balance: Soft, squishy, dry hull, and fuel efficient. Never touched my trim. 10 foot seas were a joy. Big following seas, no problem, never. Wish Pursuit made a 26' offshore walk around.
The EdgWater has a great hull design. Took them regularly out 20 miles into the Pacific Ocean. Always made me smile. Big smiles! Ride like much bigger boats. I had a few design issues and customer service was very lacking. Never really felt EdgeWater loved their business like Pursuit and Grady. Not sure any of them actually are real boaters. But, for me, the hull design is number 1, by far. Loved the boats! A center console is a real boat and by far the most fun.
My New Grady 232. Put 250 hours on it this summer, much of it offshore. The Grady is a tank, in a positive sense. So solid and well built. It will last forever! It's layout is so thought out and right. Grady really cares and obviously they love boats. They care more about making the boat tough and right than making it pretty. A boater's boat. Not a boat show boat. This is the right fit for me. Pursuit has moved a bit to the sexy side. Grady's customer service is tops. Over the top! The absolute best. All my boats have had issues, no brain damage with Grady. My 232, doesn't have the sweet ride of the Pursuit and EdgeWater, but I think this is simply due to the width and length of the 232. It does though have a very soft entry. No pounding. The relatively short hull with wide beam is a trade off I anticipated. I accomidate with lots of engine trim and trim tab management. Also, I wish Grady would update a few things. It should have a composite windshield like Pursuit. And keep it out of your site lines! Seems basic. I love my Grady! If I buy again, it will likely be another Grady. I wish I could be involved with designing an update to the 232, a few small changes, it's so close to the perfect 26 walk around. There is a reason it's the only one remaining amoung the top tier manufactures. Pursuit's 255 unfortunately, didn't compare and died.
I wouldn't hesitate with any of the three brands. Don't compromise on a second tier boat, you will be sorry. Rather go with an older boat.
Also, six Yamahas, 2,500 hours, never a single issue. Probably no Whaler in my future. Sad.
Catch & Fillet!
I've owned three brands, each brand new. 2007 Pursuit 335, 2008 EdgeWater 188, 2014 EdgeWater 208, and currently a 2016 Grady White 232.
All are top tier boats! Loved every one.
The Pursuit was the most beautiful, with the sweetest ride and entry. Put 1100 hours on it throughout Alaska. No one appreciates how a boat should look, like Pursuit. A boat should have gorgeous "lines", Pursuit designers know "lines". Why they dropped the 335 hull is a mystery to me. It was the perfect balance: Soft, squishy, dry hull, and fuel efficient. Never touched my trim. 10 foot seas were a joy. Big following seas, no problem, never. Wish Pursuit made a 26' offshore walk around.
The EdgWater has a great hull design. Took them regularly out 20 miles into the Pacific Ocean. Always made me smile. Big smiles! Ride like much bigger boats. I had a few design issues and customer service was very lacking. Never really felt EdgeWater loved their business like Pursuit and Grady. Not sure any of them actually are real boaters. But, for me, the hull design is number 1, by far. Loved the boats! A center console is a real boat and by far the most fun.
My New Grady 232. Put 250 hours on it this summer, much of it offshore. The Grady is a tank, in a positive sense. So solid and well built. It will last forever! It's layout is so thought out and right. Grady really cares and obviously they love boats. They care more about making the boat tough and right than making it pretty. A boater's boat. Not a boat show boat. This is the right fit for me. Pursuit has moved a bit to the sexy side. Grady's customer service is tops. Over the top! The absolute best. All my boats have had issues, no brain damage with Grady. My 232, doesn't have the sweet ride of the Pursuit and EdgeWater, but I think this is simply due to the width and length of the 232. It does though have a very soft entry. No pounding. The relatively short hull with wide beam is a trade off I anticipated. I accomidate with lots of engine trim and trim tab management. Also, I wish Grady would update a few things. It should have a composite windshield like Pursuit. And keep it out of your site lines! Seems basic. I love my Grady! If I buy again, it will likely be another Grady. I wish I could be involved with designing an update to the 232, a few small changes, it's so close to the perfect 26 walk around. There is a reason it's the only one remaining amoung the top tier manufactures. Pursuit's 255 unfortunately, didn't compare and died.
I wouldn't hesitate with any of the three brands. Don't compromise on a second tier boat, you will be sorry. Rather go with an older boat.
Also, six Yamahas, 2,500 hours, never a single issue. Probably no Whaler in my future. Sad.
Catch & Fillet!
