Seafarer vs. Gulfstream

[tboylan]

As I sit here scouring boattrader.com and craig'slist waiting for boats to start showing up for sale, I am still not 100% convinced a Seafarer 228 is the ideal Grady for me. I like the idea of being able to easily trailer it without a permit. The Seafarer also appears to be a fair deal better on fuel than the Gulfstream. Not having had the chance yet to operate either vessel, I wonder how significant the difference in ride quality is between the two. The Gulfstream is 1,000 lbs heavier which translates into different fuel consumption numbers and a foot wider. These are the obvious differences.

I would appreciate some feedback from those who have knowledge / experience with both Seafarer and Gulfstream. Can you point out some smaller advantages/disadvantages of each over the other that I might be overlooking?

I would be using the boat mainly within Long Island Sound but would also like to get offshore a few times a year. I also plan on sleeping on the boat as well so feedback on cabin comfort comparisons would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Clockwork]

My dad has a seafarer an d i have the gulfstreams larger brother the sailfish. Im going with the seafarer here because of a couple reasons. I love the gulfstreams wider beam but the drawbacks of lower efficiency, harsher ride and being more hassle to trailer are not worth it without several more feet of oal. Also, i hate the bunkbeds in the berth.

 

[magicalbill]

I have owned both. Here are my observations.

1.) Ride
The Gulfstream rides waay better. It is bigger, heavier, wider and while I'm no hull design expert, it translates into a far superior ride than the Seafarer.

2.)Fuel Burn;

For obvious reasons, the Gulfstream will burn more fuel. I had a 1994 250 on my Seafarer with no fuel management gauge so I never got the MPG or GPH. I suspected it was somewhere around 3 MPG or slightly better.
My Gulfstream has twin 200 4-strokes. I get 1.9 to 2.1 MPG at 3700-3900 cruising at 30-33 MPH.
There are differing opinions on this, but I feel twin 200's are the best power choice for the 232 Gulfstream. It'll run just South of 50 MPH and the above numbers don't work the engines hard at all. I would never have a single, but some like it.

3.) Trailering.
The Seafarer is the choice for easier trailering, both for the boat and your tow vehicle. The Seafarer is under 8' 6" wide, so you don't need a permit. The 232 is 9'3" wide making it overwide to tow without a permit.
The Seafarer, fully loaded will come in around 5500-6000 lbs. depending on how much stuff you keep onboard and how much fuel you carry.
My 232 is 10,100 lbs, loaded with fuel and everything else. You could lighten it up some, but you still have a significant load back there. A heavy-duty 3/4 diesel is best. A beefy gas rig will do it, but you'll be under 10 MPG. These numbers include the weight of the trailer.
Heights.... The Seafarer was right at 9 feet clearance but mine had no hardtop. Figure 11-12 feet with one.
The Gulfstream is 12" 6" to the top of my GPS antenna.
If you get the Gulfstream, be constantly aware of low hanging branches, low canopies in gas stations, etc.

The Gulfstream can be trailered, but if trailering is a big part of your boating lifestyle, go with the Seafarer.

4.) Overniting.

I love to overnite on the boat. Both are adequate, but neither is the Mariott. I don't care..It's still doable and fun.

The Seafarer has the traditional V-berth. I am 5' 11" and can stretch out no prob. and sit up with headroom to spare.
The Gulfstream has a "bunk" arrangement on the Starboard side and a completely useless stove/sink.cooking area on the Port. We use it to throw our overnite bags on.
My lady and I are comfortable on the lower area without rigging the upper bunk. I have slept up there, but it isn't great.

Luck to 'Ya..Both are great boats.