New Gulfstream 232

[dsi183]

Getting ready to order a new Gulfstream 232. Will be equipped with twin Yamaha F-200 in line 4cyl. engines. Options include bow pulpit, windless, marine head (manual flush), hardtop with radio box and spreader lights. Hardtop rod holders, front, side and drop curtains. Cockpit bolsters, aux berth cushions, deluxe helm and comp chairs, stereo and windshield washer. I have heard of some problems with the electric flush marine head so I stayed with the manual flush. I have been told by the dealer that I would need a 7700 lb 5-star or 8000lb LoadRite trailer (I know its a little wide but I only trailer a short distance). I will be doing the electronics myself and have been leaning toward a Garmin 6212. Have also been trying to decide if the full digital engines and controls are a good idea. I have taken a demo ride on one with twin 150 and it was very nice. This is not going to be my first boat but will be the first Grady White. Would appreciate any advice from you Grady guys.

Thanks,

 

[Biscayne208]

Great choice. I have the new 200 on my boat and it has been awesome so far 115 hours. Buy at least an 8000lb trailer. Depending on cost the digital cntrols are nice. I have manual and I prefer it due to reliability but the digitals are pretty cool. I wouldnt spend 3-4k extra though if thats what they are trying to charge you. Makse sure they build windows into your hardtop enclosures so you can open them without haviong to pull snaps off. this is a huge deal as the enclosures become much more user friendly with these windows.

 

[ElyseM]

great boat. i personally would not buy another engine that did not have electronic controls. it's night & day and the rigging is only concerned with very flexible network wires.

be careful on your first outing if you do it. i did a hole shot out of the lift well. the controls are awesome, though. good luck, ron

 

[magicalbill]

Make sure your trailer has at least 5000 pound axles. My 232 with twin 200 four strokes weighs 10,100 lbs with trailer. Yours will be heavier than you think once fully loaded with fuel, anchors, gear, etc. Dealers try to sell a marginally equipped trailer with the package to price it attractively. Also, electric/hydraulic brakes are a good option.
Overbuild your trailer; I learned the hard way.

 

[Fishtales]

Great choice. What I love about the boat is that it is reasonable to trailer and with the extra beam and bracket it is more like a 25'er.
Wish you well with it and let us know how it works out!

 

[Brigator]

Grats on the new boat! She is great. I agree with the trailer. I have a 10K all alum. trailer with 4 stainless steel brakes and it creaks when it takes the load of the boat. grant it I only use the trailer twice a year.

 

[grady23]

Congratulations-- WOW - What a sweet ride. As mentioned, you can't be too careful about the trailer. Get a rig with at least a 10K rating, and 10 ply tires.

 

[dsi183]

Thanks for the info. and kind words. Made the deal today and very happy with the way things worked out. Boat will be delivered to dealer sometime in late March or April. Should take possession by May. Will be looking into a Garmin 6212 and a LoadRite trailer. I have all Garmin on my present boat and will be able to swing over the sounder and radar. Both dealers I spoke with were recommending the LoadRite 26T8000TG2 which is an 8000lb capacity tandem axel trailer with brakes on all 4 wheels. From what I have been able to find on line, it seems to have 5000lb axles but I will check with Loadrite before I place the order. Was able to get a very good price along with all the incentives being offered and the NY Boat Show.

 

[grady23]

Sorry if you already are aware of these hints. Just trying to be helpful and need someting to do while waitingfor the DEEP FREEZE to be over here in Maryland. Not sure if you are familiar with Salt-Away. I buy in concetrate and mix up a container using a 2 Gal garden sprayer. I spray the entire trailer and give the brakes and reall good rinse every time I dunk the boat. When I launch and retrieve. Keeps the salt accumulation down and your disc brakes will last longer before the pistons freeze up. When trailering in hot/warm weather, prep your boat, insert plug, move gear and all the stuff you need to get ready. This will give the wheel bearings and hubs a chance to cool down. Most water intrusion happens when you drop a trailer with very warm or hot hubs in the water. . I also keep an entire hub assembly with me as a backup. Not necessary for it to be a disc brake hub. If one of my hubs fail, I can pull the caliper and hub, replace bad hub and tie-off the caliper while clamping a wooden block in between the brake pads. This will allow the other three brakes to work and not blow-out the piston on the failed unit.

 

[HMBJack]

Congratulations on the Gulfstream. Excellent choice. Seaworthy, comfortable (beam + cabin) and trailerable. With the twin engines, you also get safety from redundancy.

As to:
"Both dealers I spoke with were recommending the LoadRite 26T8000TG2 which is an 8000lb capacity tandem axel trailer with brakes on all 4 wheels."

You are on the right track. Very healthy to get an oversized trailer with plenty of stopping power.

After break in, run that thing like you stole it and use the heck out of it. The boat can take it!

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Congrats on the new boat! That new boat smell is awesome (lol). Great advice many gave. I would add just go ahead and buy a hub kit that has the rotor on it and carry it with you. I got that new boat bug myself, but will wait to act on it in a year or two. Send pics when you get her.

 

[ROBERTH]

Consider the weight yourself and not by what the dealers are saying. Just a quick thought and lookup for your model with options, and I have not included electronics or any other misc. stuff you would add like life jackets, or other stuff that adds up to some pounds, I come up with the following and no idea what I might have missed:

BOAT (Standard) 4600
Motors w/rigging 1200
Fuel (Standard) 846
Windlass w pulpit/chain 125
Hardtop w/radiobox/curtains 450
Head w/10gal storage 150
Freshwater 12g.incl.water/pump 125
Tackle 200
Misc. Tools/Fluids,etc 200
Total weight: 7896

You are right at the 8000lbs capacity. One of the worst experiences you will have is when the tires blow, or brakes/axles break down due to excessive weight. Sure, the trailer will suffice for year one, year two, but then the weight starts to take it's toll....Trust me, I have been through it as well as many others. One thing to somewhat overbuild on is the trailer.
Imagine towing 200 miles on a day when it is 100 degrees and the pavement is who knows, like 150 degrees and the rubber on the tire just shreds. Your jack sinks into the asphalt on the side of the road, etc.
I ensured I had an oversized trailer and knock on wood for me everyone....so far, no issues since.
For you, the little additional cost will not even be noticed in the grand purchase!

Just sayin'......... :mrgreen:

 

[dsi183]

I called Grady White Support and they emailed their in-house Max Weight chart for selecting a trailer. The new Gulfstream with twin inline 4cyl 200hp motors, all the available factory options full fuel and water tanks 200lbs of gear and 100lbs misc. items is listed as weighing 7325lbs. The Load-Rite 26T8000TG2 has an 8000lb capacity. The next size up is a 28T8200TG2 the only issue I see with this one is its 2feet longer and the spacing from bow eye to transom might not fit the boat. I will have to have a conversation with the trailer dealer to see if the 232 will fit on the longer trailer. I may try and call Load-Rite and see what they have to say although the last time I tried calling them on my current trailer they were less then helpful. Seems they don't want to deal directly with the customer and prefer you go through a dealer. Thanks again for all the suggestions they have been very helpful! Going to visit the GW dealer Sunday and take some measurements if he still has the demo boat.

 

[ROBERTH]

yeah so it seems like I came pretty close just based on my Estimations. the wait is too close for comfort so getting a bigger trailer is important..Maybe consider r a different trailer brand. Road king is popular around NC area. That is what came with mine and I am very happy with it. It is well built.

 

[dsi183]

Spoke to another Load Rite dealer. He assured me that the LR 8000 trailer will be more then enough. The trailer is equipped with 2 5500lb axels so they can handle 11000 pounds. The next size trailer is just too long for the boat. Checked a few other brands that are sold in the area and they are either about the same or lower capacity. I don't trailer very far and don't plan to so the 26T8000 should serve my needs. Now just keeping my hopes up that it ships with Kodiak brakes and not Tie Down!

 

[ROBERTH]

Good to know and worth digging in for the assurance.

The Kodiaks' are great if all SS. The new G5 Tie Downs are SS as well and mine are now into their 3rd year on the first axle and 2nd year on the 2nd axle and are still in great shape.
Just ask them which version of brakes they will provide as you should be able to tell them what you want. Either way, ensure SS rotors.

Other posts on here and many debates with either Kodiak or Tie Down, but in the end, either one with SS rotor versions hold up well. I have had both brands and can say for the money, still happy with the latest upgraded version of G5's from Tie Down.

Good luck and bet you can't wait! Going to make for a long winter for you!