Questions Please

[Pighunter]

Hello,
I've been computer shopping for a used 23' Grady, I'm in northern Ca. and their aren't to many for sale in this part of the country, So I'm spending a lot of time looking online mostly along the east coast. I've never owned a grady, I've fished on a 25' Grady years ago. I narrowed it down to a 232 Gulfstream because I like the 9'3" beam and the over all size works for parking at my house. I've owned a few boats but never an outboard and never a canvass pilot house. I definitely want a W/A. So here's a few questions to start.
Does the 9'3" beam affect towing?
Is the hull and deck the same on all 232 Gulfstreams regardless of the year?
Should I be looking for a single engine or twins or does it matter?
How do they ride?
Is it a wet ride?
What should I look for when hiring a company to do a survey?

I really appreciate any information.

 

[magicalbill]

I owned a 232 Gulfstream for 10 years; My answers to your queries:

1.)Yes, the 9' 3" beam requires a permit to tow it legally. Many don't get them; it's your call, although if you stack it up, your insurance may not be valid if you are towing illegally.
Weight of a 232 with twins will be in the neighborhood of 8-9K including trailer. Mine had twin 200's and I kept it fully fueled so I was at 10,100 w/trailer. Make sure your tow vehicle is adequate. it's a big boat to yank around.

2.)I don't know if they are all the same; I do know that the Sea V2 hull came on about 1992. Pre SeaV2, the ride was somewhat different, I was told.

3.)I am very opinionated on this subject. I firmly believe you need twins on this boat. The wide beam-to-length ratio makes it hard to horse it around a dock in windy conditions with a single. Plus, you get more lift when planing, more power and the redundancy of two engines. (If one breaks...) I prefer 200's but 150's are an adequate combo and will be more prevalent and easier to locate in your search. You'll get 2.0-2.2 MPG with twins and you can cruise in the low 30's all day long. If you snag one with bottom paint, drop the numbers slightly.

4.))Yes, it's a wet ride if your in 15K winds and seas over 2 feet. I am talking about localized surface wind chop. If your boating in the Pacific where a long period swell is common, the seas can be much higher and not be overly uncomfortable.

5.)Other knowledgeable folks on here can give you survey information. I only comment on what I'm familiar with.

 

[Pighunter]

I owned a 232 Gulfstream for 10 years; My answers to your queries:

1.)Yes, the 9' 3" beam requires a permit to tow it legally. Many don't get them; it's your call, although if you stack it up, your insurance may not be valid if you are towing illegally.
Weight of a 232 with twins will be in the neighborhood of 8-9K including trailer. Mine had twin 200's and I kept it fully fueled so I was at 10,100 w/trailer. Make sure your tow vehicle is adequate. it's a big boat to yank around.

2.)I don't know if they are all the same; I do know that the Sea V2 hull came on about 1992. Pre SeaV2, the ride was somewhat different, I was told.

3.)I am very opinionated on this subject. I firmly believe you need twins on this boat. The wide beam-to-length ratio makes it hard to horse it around a dock in windy conditions with a single. Plus, you get more lift when planing, more power and the redundancy of two engines. (If one breaks...) I prefer 200's but 150's are an adequate combo and will be more prevalent and easier to locate in your search. You'll get 2.0-2.2 MPG with twins and you can cruise in the low 30's all day long. If you snag one with bottom paint, drop the numbers slightly.

4.))Yes, it's a wet ride if your in 15K winds and seas over 2 feet. I am talking about localized surface wind chop. If your boating in the Pacific where a long period swell is common, the seas can be much higher and not be overly uncomfortable.

5.)Other knowledgeable folks on here can give you survey information. I only comment on what I'm familiar with.

Great information thank you,
Do you know how wide your trailer is? I want to check on the law in Ca. but the beam width doesn't tell me the OVAW.
I guess the total weight is higher than I thought. I do have a truck big enough to pull it legally and I have a commercial license. I just retired and plan on doing a lot of fishing.
I've owned several boats bigger than 23' but I will be doing a lot of trailering to different ports in Northern California and some of the roads are not the biggest or the best.
I need to do some more research. I'm wanting a W/A with a hardtop around 23' A berth that my grandson and I can spend a night or 2 in once in awhile. I did see a 228? online in southern Ca. but there were no fish holds, Anyway I appreciate the information.

 

[TUNAHUNTER197]

California law states nothing wider than 8'6'' can be towed without a permit. I tow my boat around the Bay Area all the time and haven't had a problem and I'm at 9'6'' wide. I tow to HMB, Bragg and Santa Cruz all the time and have zero problems with my boat, route or CHP. I stay at 55mph and give them a wave when I see them. They are more interested in the boat as majority are fisherman! I bought my boats back east and had them shipped out so shoot me a PM if you need further details on this process. You can pull a 228 or 232 with a 1/2 ton no problem but looks like you have the truck taken care of. A lot of guys out here use insulated fish bags instead of coolers or fishing boxes...something to consider as they are fairly cheap.

 

[Ky Grady]

My 228 has a fish hold.

 

[RussGW270]

@Ky Grady - you has an infestation!

R

 

[magicalbill]

Hey PigHunter:

Your welcome, happy to chime in.

I no longer own the boat or trailer, but I'm pretty sure the trailer was 8' 9" wide. The Gulfstream is 9' 3" amidships and is slightly wider than the trailer frame, tapering to around 8' 10" at the stern. The trailer weighed 1900 lbs and was galvanized.

TUNAHUNTER is correct; Most of the time you can tow overwide and get by; When Fishtales mentioned once that your insurance might be voided if you get in a wreck, it caused me to start getting permits and not take the chance. Again, it's your call.

You can easily overnite with your grandkids. The 232 cabin package comes with a filler cushion that you can insert near the companionway so two can sleep side by side. Or, depending on the age of your grandson, you can utilize the bunk bed on the starboard side; put him above and you slumber below. (He'll feel like he's at camp...)

Regarding the towed weight of the Gulfstream & trailer; this will vary by maybe more than a thousand lbs depending on the amount of fuel & gear you carry, plus whether you have a single or twins. As someone with trailering experience, you know all too well how fast it adds up.

If your trailering significant distances over questionable roads, OVERBUILD the trailer. I had 7K axles on mine and it was a perfect match for the 10,100 lbs it carried.

Since trailering is a significant part of your plans, I suppose a Seafarer 22 could be a consideration, although I've owned that model as well and the Gulfstream is a better riding boat . This is taking nothing away from the Seafarer; it's a great package and a ideal combo of trailerability and seaworthiness. In your situation, I think the 232's wider beam and increased weight & heft will give you more stability drifting, a bigger cockpit and a roomier cabin,(although not by much.) Obviously, the cons is the nuisance value of trailering it, although it's really not that big a deal for someone experienced like yourself.

KY Grady is a great source of info on the Seafarer and trailering it if you start to lean that direction.

 

[wrxhoon]

I have a 228 and I can assure you she has a fishhold on the starboard side under the seat. It is large enough to fit up to 60 lb grouper and about the same yellow-fin tuna. only the size of the opening will restrict larger fish fitting in. You also have another on the port side under the seat but its divided in two, I use that for food and refreshments. All up weight including hardtop and fuel she is about 7000 lb.
My old 228 was the same .
I fished for salmon off Vancouver island in a 232, single 250 Yam and 9.9 kicker, good boat, plenty deck space . If I was you I would buy one with twins. A 228 will save you the hassles of towing wide loads, if it suits your needs that's the main reason I have a 228. I tow up and down the coast up to 300 miles and fish wide offshore.

 

[Pighunter]

So yesterday I was able to set foot on a Gulfstream. I was fortunate enough to connect up with a guy only 1 1/2 hours from my house. It's a 2000 with a pair of 150 HP saltwater series fuel injected 2 strokes. He's owned it since 2002, he has no idea of the hours on the engines (never had a hour gauge and say's that there is no computer that will read the hours). He says they run great and all he's ever done to them is fuel pumps, impellers, filters and lower end oil changes. The boat looks to be in good condition. The gel coat looks really good with the exception of the hardtop, which has a lot of cracking and fading. The full enclosure is original to the boat and has never been off. The fuel tanks are original, electronics are older and would need upgrading. The trailer is a 2000 Pacific trailer, he's replaced one axel but brakes are going to need a complete overhaul and replace the tires. If I had a survey with a good report then I know I'll need to upgrade the trailer, replace the entire canvas enclosure and upgrade the electronics.
My question for you is where do I go for new enclosure? Do they just sell them or do I have to have it made? Approximately what is the cost? Fuel tanks, what kind of cost for replacements? Also should the replacement tanks be aluminum or plastic? How concerned should I be about the condition of the "TOP" of the hardtop? Like I said if I move forward with an offer I will have a full survey on boat and motors. I'm just pointing the things that are obvious to me. Thanks for your help.

 

[leeccoll]

Hi Pighunter,

I will comment on fuel tanks and fuel/vent lines. Figure anywhere from $2-3k for both tanks and lines if you are willing to do the work yourself. Bunch of members have done the replacements on various hulls at one point or another, including myself last summer. I used aluminum because I wanted identical replacement specs.

Pacific Trailer in the middle of building a new trailer for my Seafarer. $6,500 build price (10% off sale going on now). The trailer on the boat you are considering is 20 years old. Possible rust in the brake lines at this point. Hard to say if it makes sense throwing more $$$ into "fixing it up", before you know it, you are better off biting the bullet and getting a new one.

I really like the Gulfstream footprint with twins. Hope it all works out for you!

Lee

 

[Pighunter]

Hi Pighunter,

I will comment on fuel tanks and fuel/vent lines. Figure anywhere from $2-3k if you are willing to do the work yourself. Bunch of members have done the replacements at one point or another, including myself last summer. I used aluminum because I wanted identical replacement specs.

Pacific Trailer in the middle of building a new trailer for my Seafarer. $6,500 build price (10% off sale going on now). The trailer on the boat you are considering is 20 years old. Possible rust in the brake lines at this point. Hard to say if it makes sense throwing more $$$ into "fixing it up", before you know it, you are better off biting the bullet and getting a new one.

I really like the Gulfstream footprint with twins. Hope it all works out for you!

Lee

Lee,
Thanks for your input. Yes I would be comfortable replacing the tanks myself. Yes I also understand about throwing more $$ at a 20 year old trailer. I'm searching everyday for a 228 Seafarer to come up for sale in my state. I really want to see if the fishing area is roomy enough for my needs. Thanks for your input.

 

[Lite Tackle]

Pighunter, if your close enough to visit I have a 226 (same layout as 228) you could inspect to see if the space fits your needs. I pull it with a 3/4 ton Duramax and if the boat was any bigger I would not enjoy towing it.

 

[Ky Grady]

Pighunter, you can take your original enclosure to a local marine upholstery shop and have them make you a new one using your old one as a pattern. Or send your original enclosure to A&J Canvas in Vanceboro NC, they are the OEM folks for Grady, they did my new enclosure for my 228.

 

[Pighunter]

Pighunter, you can take your original enclosure to a local marine upholstery shop and have them make you a new one using your old one as a pattern. Or send your original enclosure to A&J Canvas in Vanceboro NC, they are the OEM folks for Grady, they did my new enclosure for my 228.

View attachment 11435View attachment 11436

Very nice! It really looks good. Could you give me a ballpark of the price to have one made.
Thank you

 

[Ky Grady]

Very nice! It really looks good. Could you give me a ballpark of the price to have one made.
Thank you

Been a few years but I'm thinking around $2800.

 

[seasick]

Probably more now. To an extent, prices can vary widely based on fabric selection, brand and thickness of clear plastic and even thread depending on how anal you are
The 150 SX motor is one of the most reliable models made. There are other maintenance items like motor mounted filters, VST screen maybe and plugs. Plugs for that motor are inexpensive and will last a season to three seasons depending on use and maintenance of other systems.
Downside to the 150 is fuel, oil use and like a lot of 2 strokes, noise.

The beam will be a legal issue in many states and technically requires a permit to tow. That said, many owners will tow without a permit and say they have never been ticketed. I believe them.
For me, I would only go for twins. It is a wide beam and having the extra maneuverability of twins is probably important.
Good luck.