Roughest Seas You’ve Endured - Seafarer 228?

[luckydude]

When we talk 6-10’ are you saying from the lowest point to the highest point? My understanding is that 3’ swells go up 3’ AND down 3’ (so a total of 6’ up and down).

That's not my understanding, 6' means 6' from trough to top. And while I could be off when I'm looking at the swells, I go out in 7@11
and there is no way those are 14 foot swells.

Perhaps someone confused you because on one side a 3' swell goes up 3' and on the other side it goes down 3' but the total height is 3' not 6'.

 

[glacierbaze]

how is wave height measured - Google Search

 

[PointedRose]

https://www.google.com/search?q=how...aq3IEHeIOD-UQ_h16BAgVEAE#imgrc=nYkN1E0JawC3VM

Ok I was thinking the amplitude measure

 

[PointedRose]

That's not my understanding, 6' means 6' from trough to top. And while I could be off when I'm looking at the swells, I go out in 7@11
and there is no way those are 14 foot swells.

Perhaps someone confused you because on one side a 3' swell goes up 3' and on the other side it goes down 3' but the total height is 3' not 6'.

No wonder you’re looking at a larger boat!

 

[luckydude]

No wonder you’re looking at a larger boat!

The 228 is a great boat, I have yet to run into someone who says they have a better 22 foot fishing boat, the 228 is perhaps the best 22 foot boat. If not the best, it's still a great boat. When conditions are right, I absolutely adore my 228.

My eyes have been opened to what a bigger boat can do and it can go fast in conditions where the 228 would have to go slow. I'm hitting the tail end of my life, I can afford bigger so I'm looking at bigger. I really wish Grady still made the 26 foot express or the 27/28 foot Sailfish, if a modern version of that was available I'd be all over that. But the 232 is too light, so the Marlin is pretty much the only "reasonable" answer if you can see $350K or so as "reasonable".

 

[HMBJack]

The 228 is a great boat, I have yet to run into someone who says they have a better 22 foot fishing boat, the 228 is perhaps the best 22 foot boat. If not the best, it's still a great boat. When conditions are right, I absolutely adore my 228.

My eyes have been opened to what a bigger boat can do and it can go fast in conditions where the 228 would have to go slow. I'm hitting the tail end of my life, I can afford bigger so I'm looking at bigger. I really wish Grady still made the 26 foot express or the 27/28 foot Sailfish, if a modern version of that was available I'd be all over that. But the 232 is too light, so the Marlin is pretty much the only "reasonable" answer if you can see $350K or so as "reasonable".

I've said it before and will say it again.
The only boat better than a Grady-White, is a BIGGER Grady-White!

I went from a 228 to a 265 to a 330. No regrets at all.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I've said it before and will say it again.
The only boat better than a Grady-White, is a BIGGER Grady-White!

I went from a 228 to a 265 to a 330. No regrets at all.

It's funny how perspectives and opinions change over the years. I started my boating experience by purchasing a 21' Arima, which the 21' is their second to largest sized boat they offer. I figured a 21' boat would be perfect in the Puget Sound, which is relatively protected waters and during the summer it's relatively tame. That and being more of a fair-weather fisherman I figured I'd have the boat for 10+ years, or more even more. I had that boat for 4 years and it wasn't more than a season or two after dealing with 1-2' chop where I wished I had a bigger, heavier boat. I sold her a year ago September and had been looking for a 228 to replace her with for just over a year. Throughout that time, I wondered to myself if I was doing the right thing and if a 22' Grady White was overkill for the Puget Sound. After buying my boat and riding in her twice during some pretty snotty conditions, I realized I'd made the right choice and have no regrets about buying her. I think she will serve my needs quite well and hopefully this time around I can actually hold on to her for 10-15 years or more. Although, who knows? Maybe I'll get "2 foot-itis" again and buy something bigger? Although with the types and locations of fishing that I use my boats in, I doubt it. It's always interesting to see the "evolution" of boat buying that different people experience though.

 

[seasick]

The worst I can remember experiencing was 50 knot winds and 30 foot seas. Yep, it was rough. Thank goodness the ship's bar was open. That was in the Caribbean on a large cruise ship

 

[HMBJack]

It's funny how perspectives and opinions change over the years. I started my boating experience by purchasing a 21' Arima, which the 21' is their second to largest sized boat they offer. I figured a 21' boat would be perfect in the Puget Sound, which is relatively protected waters and during the summer it's relatively tame. That and being more of a fair-weather fisherman I figured I'd have the boat for 10+ years, or more even more. I had that boat for 4 years and it wasn't more than a season or two after dealing with 1-2' chop where I wished I had a bigger, heavier boat. I sold her a year ago September and had been looking for a 228 to replace her with for just over a year. Throughout that time, I wondered to myself if I was doing the right thing and if a 22' Grady White was overkill for the Puget Sound. After buying my boat and riding in her twice during some pretty snotty conditions, I realized I'd made the right choice and have no regrets about buying her. I think she will serve my needs quite well and hopefully this time around I can actually hold on to her for 10-15 years or more. Although, who knows? Maybe I'll get "2 foot-itis" again and buy something bigger? Although with the types and locations of fishing that I use my boats in, I doubt it. It's always interesting to see the "evolution" of boat buying that different people experience though.

Well said Mustang...

In my case, I do my boating 100% in the Ocean off San Francisco. No protection at all. So upgrading to my 330 made perfect sense. In your case, that 228 is likely all you will ever need. It's the best 22 footer ever made in my opinion.

 

[luckydude]

Well said Mustang...

In my case, I do my boating 100% in the Ocean off San Francisco. No protection at all. So upgrading to my 330 made perfect sense. In your case, that 228 is likely all you will ever need. It's the best 22 footer ever made in my opinion.

I don't have the experience that you all have but I did a lot of research before buying the 228. Everything I learned agrees with you, there isn't a better 22 foot fishing boat than the 228. In. Our. Ocean. If I was in Texas or Florida, Fisherman 236 would be my boat.

I hope you didn't buy that 330 new, they are over $500K now, it's crazy.

 

[Holokai]

Mgaul1, I think we tend to go out in rougher water because the runs are generally shorter and we’re not as concerned with staying on plane.

Also would like to mention the variable of multiple swell angles and periods since we often deal with the rebound off of Portlock or combo wind/ground swell out Kaneohe and HK side. In those cases it takes a lot less swell to make things dangerous.

That said, we fished a few of those Small Craft Advisory days out Kaneohe last year in the 208. Wasn’t life threatening but needed to stay on the wheel for sure. Agree that the bracket helps downsea and that’s why I have one on order

I’d estimate a 208 or any 228 will get you home in rougher water than you’d want to fish and that’s more important than swell height/period numbers (unless you’re talking smack with your buddies).

 

[Mgaul1]

Mgaul1, I think we tend to go out in rougher water because the runs are generally shorter and we’re not as concerned with staying on plane.

Also would like to mention the variable of multiple swell angles and periods since we often deal with the rebound off of Portlock or combo wind/ground swell out Kaneohe and HK side. In those cases it takes a lot less swell to make things dangerous.

That said, we fished a few of those Small Craft Advisory days out Kaneohe last year in the 208. Wasn’t life threatening but needed to stay on the wheel for sure. Agree that the bracket helps downsea and that’s why I have one on order

I’d estimate a 208 or any 228 will get you home in rougher water than you’d want to fish and that’s more important than swell height/period numbers (unless you’re talking smack with your buddies).

In summary, I think sea-state and weather variables vary drastically by location. 2 @ 13 in Florida can turn into a lightening storm in minutes, yet 8’ @ 9 in Hawaii is merely a long bumpy day chasing ahi, with no real danger. Or better yet, 14’ @ 12 being completely glassy in winter lol.

Bottom line is that everyone posting here managed to “endure” something, even if it’s just the wife.

This thread didn’t produce much so while I’m here check out a fun half day out chasing Ahi’s on my 228, in what are probably the best summer conditions we could ask for!

 

[glacierbaze]

Nice video. Where do you keep your fish, fish bags in the cabin?

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I have fished 4-6 in the Keys before and trolling with some water coming over the bow sometimes .lol.

In the Bahamas off of Abacos and it was blowing in June. we fished in some big swells where when I was in the trough my hardtop was below the top of the next wave. they were ocean swells and the boat rode great. I was a bit nervous to say the least. We got into a mess load of black fin tuna and when you're catching fish the seas seem to disappear.

Coming back from the Dry Tortuga's crossing Rebecca Shoals . we had a huge thunderstorm over Fort Jefferson all morning . It was sporty . Seas were short period 4-5 maybe 6 foot seas and the best we could do was about 15 knots. We had to trim the boat with the bow slightly down and just punch through it. once we got her trimmed right we did increase the speed to maybe 19 . The boat handled it well . Did we get to cruising to 25 or 30? Nope but the Seafarer proved sea worthy and sound . For a 22 footer it rides great .

 

[luckydude]

I've been out in 10 foot swells, they are fine when they are 20 seconds apart. It is all about how high and how soon.

I agree with everyone who says the 228 can handle more than I want to handle, it is the best 22 foot boat.

 

[Mgaul1]

Nice video. Where do you keep your fish, fish bags in the cabin?

I actually converted the void for the auxiliary fuel tank into a 460 quart insulated fish box. Can fit three (maybe even four if you squeeze them in) 150lb YFT and about 400lbs of ice.

I don’t know about others but I also added about 200lbs of weight to the bow area, when I have the boat loaded with fish and ice too it tremendously improves the upsea ride. Fuel economy, not so much.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I actually converted the void for the auxiliary fuel tank into a 460 quart insulated fish box. Can fit three (maybe even four if you squeeze them in) 150lb YFT and about 400lbs of ice.

I don’t know about others but I also added about 200lbs of weight to the bow area, when I have the boat loaded with fish and ice too it tremendously improves the upsea ride. Fuel economy, not so much.

It's interesting that they just leave that space vacant from the factory if you don't get the auxiliary fuel tank. Seems like a ton of extra space that you could use for just about anything else. I definitely like your idea of converting it into a fish box. Have you ever thought about taking the weights out of the bow and instead adding a bigger freshwater tank? The standard 10 gallon factory freshwater tank seems a bit small to me and the extra freshwater as well as weight seems like it could be advantageous. A gallon of freshwater is roughly 8.34lbs/gallon and a 25 gallon tank would get you the 200lbs you need for extra weight up there.

 

[Mgaul1]

It's interesting that they just leave that space vacant from the factory if you don't get the auxiliary fuel tank. Seems like a ton of extra space that you could use for just about anything else. I definitely like your idea of converting it into a fish box. Have you ever thought about taking the weights out of the bow and instead adding a bigger freshwater tank? The standard 10 gallon factory freshwater tank seems a bit small to me and the extra freshwater as well as weight seems like it could be advantageous. A gallon of freshwater is roughly 8.34lbs/gallon and a 25 gallon tank would get you the 200lbs you need for extra weight up there.

One thing not shown in my first pic is the 10 gallon freshwater tank, it also had a hatch on the deck (which was made of plastic junk and easy to trip over), so it was decent for life jacket, fender storage but yeah overall just kinda pointless unless you need another thank. I understand on later years (mine is ‘06) they expanded the factory tank from 92 gallons to 116 gallons and moved it forward so this void is no longer present. Probably helps with bettering weight distribution, but ultimately I’m very happy I had this huge void so I don’t have massive fish box on my deck. Plus with a water pump, I can use it as a ballast to increase bow weight when not fishing.

For the bow, I actually bought 16 1 gallon water jugs, hid them in the voids under bed, worked great. Plus emergency gear and heavy tool kit, about 200lbs. So no need for the fresh water tank, which I don’t prefer to my rinse kit that I bring along for showers on overnighters.

 

[Summertop511]

It's interesting that they just leave that space vacant from the factory if you don't get the auxiliary fuel tank. Seems like a ton of extra space that you could use for just about anything else. I definitely like your idea of converting it into a fish box. Have you ever thought about taking the weights out of the bow and instead adding a bigger freshwater tank? The standard 10 gallon factory freshwater tank seems a bit small to me and the extra freshwater as well as weight seems like it could be advantageous. A gallon of freshwater is roughly 8.34lbs/gallon and a 25 gallon tank would get you the 200lbs you need for extra weight up there.

Bracket doesn’t make boat bigger. Waves hit center which is under seat. Now….. a non bracket boat can put the V right in the wave with no added bow weight. And not fall off plane till much slower speeds.

 

[Mgaul1]

Bracket doesn’t make boat bigger. Waves hit center which is under seat. Now….. a non bracket boat can put the V right in the wave with no added bow weight. And not fall off plane till much slower speeds.

I completely disagree about your comments on plane speed. Not true at all. I have had both. Perhaps power and prop were a factor?

Yes, not technically more hull in the water, but the ride characteristics are very different, downsea stability is improved with a bracket. More space on the boat (depending on model of course and size of splashwell).

I’d agree both can have advantages in different areas, entirely up to personal preference but for me the downsea ride here in some scary seas is what matters most. I’d agree that the weight pushed back does have an added porpoise effect going upsea, but disagree about planing speed.

Either way 226 and 228 both great boats.