So just how "unsinkable" are the Grady White boats

[Hookup1]

I trying to get a handle on just how much flotation is built-in to these boats. Is it really true you can chain saw the hull up and it will still float?

 

[wahoo33417]

Unfortunately there have been a few tragedies of late that became real-world tests. Boats flipped in high/breaking seas. The hulls did as advertised - they stayed afloat.

I have visited the factory a couple of times and saw that they do fill the below-decks with foam.

Not sure about the chainsaw. Guess it depends on where the cuts are made.

Rob

 

[richie rich]

Grady Whites are not unsinkable....you may be confused with the advertisments for boats like Ranger or Boston Whaler. Their boats are foam sandwich construction design where they combine two thinner fiberglass skins and make an oreo cookie out of it by injecting foam between them. In this case, the foam is actually a structural part of the boat as the thickness of the sandwich is what makes it strong and stiff.

Grady, and many other boats, builds single skin laminates that are much thicker in design and along with their stringer system, take all the load. The foam is put in place in areas that aren't used for something else, ie storage, and are strictly for added floatation purposes, not structure. If you cut the boat in half, like the bassboat commercial, you won't be able to stand in it like the guy with the chainsaw.....but it should float at or near the waters surface for you to hang onto for a while. A cubic foot of foam will have enough bouyancy for about 60lbs....if you do the math and calculate how many cubic feet can be in your boat, you'll see why it's not enough to do the job completely.

 

[megabytes]

It is my understanding that larger models will stay at the surface, likely upside down with the engines down and the bow up. This at least provides a platform for rescue and higher visibility. Boats 20' and under require level floatation under regulations.

I hope no GW owner has to confirm this.

 

[sfc2113]

I hope I never ever ever ever have to validate this but looking at the amount of foam in my hull, I am almost cetain that if my overnighter sinks, It will most definitly flip over but float hull up.

 

[Fishtales]

Per GW their boats are unsinkable. That being said, most are Basic Floatation - they will most likely turtle and float hull up. Some (the smaller ones under 20 feet) have level floatation. They should fill to the gunnel and float, but I'd say load placement would impact this. If you cut them in half, likely all bets are off.

 

[Hookup1]

Floating Grady's

I'm not looking for a miracle...I don't have a raft and would like to know if my 268 would provide some sort of rescue platform or just sink to the bottom!

If it sank to the gunnels I would be happy with that!

 

[fishingFINattic]

I believe that all boats manufactured today must include foam floatation that will keep the boat afloat in all conditions - I believe this is required for boats up to 28' -
Someone with more knowledge may be able to confirm-
Tim

 

[Hookup1]

Unsinkable

Off the Grady site...


What is level flotation and basic flotation?

Level flotation means that if a boat was to take on water and become swamped it would stay in an upright position in calm seas. The US Coast Guard requires that all boats under 20 feet in length provide level flotation. The US Coast Guard tests and certifies boats under 20 feet to ensure level flotation requirements are met. There are no flotation requirements for boats 20 feet and over, yet Grady-White models of these lengths provide "basic flotation." Basic flotation means that if the boat was to become swamped there still would be a portion above the waterline that you would be able to hold on to until help arrives. We all understand the importance of safety; that's why Grady-White boats are unsinkable.

 

[mronzo]

I believe that all boats manufactured today must include foam floatation that will keep the boat afloat in all conditions - I believe this is required for boats up to 28' -
Someone with more knowledge may be able to confirm-
Tim

That's floatation for 20' and < boats.
Only Grady and a few other lines have what they claim as unsinkable.
And it's really only Grady that puts this claim on much larger boats.

 

[fishingFINattic]

Twenty Feet - that makes sense - I remember reading it when I was purchasing my first 16'er - that was nearly two decades ago - they say memory is the second thing that goes-

 

[BobP]

You still need the liferaft out at seas, even in a BW.

 

[Pez Vela]

Grady's explanation

Here's what Grady has to say.

http://www.gradywhite.com/grady-built/safe.php3

 

[Finest Kind]

Here is a posting about a 22 foot Grady that just "sunk" last weekend in NJ
http://www.thebassbarn.com/forum/showth ... p?t=198875

 

[BobP]

It "remained floating" per OP post.

 

[BobP]

I like how no one suggested bilge drain plug may have fallen out!

 

[BobP]

I was wondering why no one is using the correct term:

CAPSIZED !

 

[Rhumbline]

Not sure if I would want to be near a semi-submerged boat it there were any sizable seas around. You may end up getting pretty banged up, and in the event it does decide to go to the bottom, you do not want to run the risk of being tangled with any lines.

I think if I found myself in that situation, I would take as many provisions with me and push away from the semi-submerged vessel.

I look at the fact that the boat will not sink more as a benefit on recovery, not safety.

Cheers,

 

[Grog]

I can see not wanting to get tangled in a line but don't go far from the boat. It's A LOT easier to spot a boat than a person.

 

[BobP]

If the seas are not that bad and your gas tanks are not full, there may be enough bow out of the water to climb up on the hull, several crew, while awaiting rescue.