I enjoy reading here because most of us are passionate about our boats, we either love em or hate em. . Back in the day when I was in middle school Grady White invented the Walk Around style boat and it catapulted them in the industry. At one point the 228 was their flagship craft and Grady kept building bigger and bigger boats where today you can get beauty of the Canyon 456.
My dream boat lies between the Sailfish and Express 330. I would take any of the walks or expresses I these sizes. With that said, I have owned a 192 and a 228. I have been aboard the 180, the 205, the 225 and a Journey. For their sizes they are great boats when compared to other small hulls. I don't think there are many boats ride wise that can hold a candle to say the 192 when looking at other 19 footers or my boat the 228. Once you get in the mid 20s there are other boats that stack up or ride better than a Grady but in the smaller boats Grady's are solid riding boats. Can I zip along at 28 knots in 5-6 seas ,nope,but even in 5-6 seas I know I am safe at 18-20 knots.
I was in the Keys a few years ago near Bahia Honda . It was blowing 15 knots gusts to 20 and we decided to head down to Newfound Harbor and have a sandbar day in the shelter from the wind. We headed west to Big Pine near shore in Hawk Channel . It was sporty like 3-4 short period stuff. I trimmed the motor in, dropped the tabs ,got the bow down and plowed through it around 22. There was a Sea Swirl ,maybe 22-23 feet and they were getting hammered. I passed them with confidence. Maybe the captain didn't know what he was doing, I don't know ,but I noticed this. That boat had like a 175 on it and it was a walk around as well. It might have even been a 150. That should tell you something right there .
I think sometimes we get in a trap of comparing a 22 foot hull to say a 27 or 30 foot hull and like most things in life there is no replacement for displacement. A 27 foot Cobia is going to ride better because it's mass and wetted hull length,but the 22 Grady versus a 22 Cobia ,I take the Grady all day long.
I love the 228 and it has served me well over the years. I do see a day coming though where I move up and she either is sold or retires to being a lake boat . I mean it's paid for with 2017 low hours 4.2 liter 250 on it plus I just put in a new Fusion Stereo too boot. Lol.
In 4 days I will be in the Keys and this time next week I will be chasing some dolphin!
My dream boat lies between the Sailfish and Express 330. I would take any of the walks or expresses I these sizes. With that said, I have owned a 192 and a 228. I have been aboard the 180, the 205, the 225 and a Journey. For their sizes they are great boats when compared to other small hulls. I don't think there are many boats ride wise that can hold a candle to say the 192 when looking at other 19 footers or my boat the 228. Once you get in the mid 20s there are other boats that stack up or ride better than a Grady but in the smaller boats Grady's are solid riding boats. Can I zip along at 28 knots in 5-6 seas ,nope,but even in 5-6 seas I know I am safe at 18-20 knots.
I was in the Keys a few years ago near Bahia Honda . It was blowing 15 knots gusts to 20 and we decided to head down to Newfound Harbor and have a sandbar day in the shelter from the wind. We headed west to Big Pine near shore in Hawk Channel . It was sporty like 3-4 short period stuff. I trimmed the motor in, dropped the tabs ,got the bow down and plowed through it around 22. There was a Sea Swirl ,maybe 22-23 feet and they were getting hammered. I passed them with confidence. Maybe the captain didn't know what he was doing, I don't know ,but I noticed this. That boat had like a 175 on it and it was a walk around as well. It might have even been a 150. That should tell you something right there .
I think sometimes we get in a trap of comparing a 22 foot hull to say a 27 or 30 foot hull and like most things in life there is no replacement for displacement. A 27 foot Cobia is going to ride better because it's mass and wetted hull length,but the 22 Grady versus a 22 Cobia ,I take the Grady all day long.
I love the 228 and it has served me well over the years. I do see a day coming though where I move up and she either is sold or retires to being a lake boat . I mean it's paid for with 2017 low hours 4.2 liter 250 on it plus I just put in a new Fusion Stereo too boot. Lol.
In 4 days I will be in the Keys and this time next week I will be chasing some dolphin!
