Spot lock on a 330 express

[Airslot1]

Good morning all,

First post here, so show me some grace . My wife is currently looking at a Pursuit OS 325, but the Grady 330 Express looks more fishy to me. The one "non-negotiable" to me is the ability to incorporate a Trolling Motor for spot lock. I've searched the web quite a bit, and seen mention of it, but have yet to find anyone whose done it. I figure one of you guys must know if its possible?

We went from a 26 Wolrd Cat to a 40 Ocean SS, which we had for 7 years, and was my wifes favorite boat. We then moved water front and found out we weren't using the Ocean as much. We sold the sportfish and moved to a Worldcat 295cc. I love the boat, but my wife wants more protection, so now we are shopping for an express. I have an 18k# lift, and 3' of water on a blowout tide. My other non-negotiable is that the boat stays behind my house. No more Marina trips for me, as all my gear and the ice machine being beside th dock has me spoiled.

Anyhow, that's my situation. Any input on mounting a trolling motor on this beast. Looks like a "SeaSwivel" might make it possible.

 

[wspitler]

Following

 

[Rgiorgio]

Both are great boats, i believe the Grady is a little larger overall. I used to have a Pursuit OS285 before the Maverick/Hewes buyout. There isn't a bad thing to say. Top-notch everything. The Pursuit is going to be a little more sporty. If your shopping new, go Grady. The new Pursuits are being churned out to satisfy shareholders. Dealers are saying sloppy work, like needing the cleaning up caulking and touchups right from factory. When asking dealers what the better boat is new these days, they all say Grady, still family-owned and customer-oriented.

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

The biggest Express with a TM i saw was a Albemarle 30 and owner told me that the Minn Kota he had does his job.
However, the Express 33 and the Pursuit OS325 are bigger so spot lock may work under perfect circumstances but the bigger size will reduce run time and on a certain point can't hold the boat in position, earlier than on smaller boats.
I have my Kraken still boxed here and waiting to install it and then i can tell you how it work on my 306 Canyon, but the 330Express is quite different.

Regarding the Pursuit, do a search about pursuit OS fuel tank replacement and you will find two videos about how it's done and that means to cut the hole cockpit floor out, pull the fuel tanks, glass the huge cockpit floor again it and paint it to get access to the fuel tanks for replacement. I was to buy the ticket to fly to Corsica to see a beautiful OS 3370 but found the video and cancelled the deal immediately and as far i know many Pursuit have this problem, that excessive flooring has to be cut out to extract the fuel tank/s. Not sure if the same problem is on the OS 325 but i would do a research befor you take a decision.

Chris

 

[Airslot1]

Both are great boats, i believe the Grady is a little larger overall. I used to have a Pursuit OS285 before the Maverick/Hewes buyout. There isn't a bad thing to say. Top-notch everything. The Pursuit is going to be a little more sporty. If your shopping new, go Grady. The new Pursuits are being churned out to satisfy shareholders. Dealers are saying sloppy work, like needing the cleaning up caulking and touchups right from factory. When asking dealers what the better boat is new these days, they all say Grady, still family-owned and customer-oriented.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm a little concerned about the cockpit size on the Pursuit, but will see in person soon. We are looking 204 years old is my guess.

 

[Airslot1]

The biggest Express with a TM i saw was a Albemarle 30 and owner told me that the Minn Kota he had does his job.
However, the Express 33 and the Pursuit OS325 are bigger so spot lock may work under perfect circumstances but the bigger size will reduce run time and on a certain point can't hold the boat in position, earlier than on smaller boats.
I have my Kraken still boxed here and waiting to install it and then i can tell you how it work on my 306 Canyon, but the 330Express is quite different.

Regarding the Pursuit, do a search about pursuit OS fuel tank replacement and you will find two videos about how it's done and that means to cut the hole cockpit floor out, pull the fuel tanks, glass the huge cockpit floor again it and paint it to get access to the fuel tanks for replacement. I was to buy the ticket to fly to Corsica to see a beautiful OS 3370 but found the video and cancelled the deal immediately and as far i know many Pursuit have this problem, that excessive flooring has to be cut out to extract the fuel tank/s. Not sure if the same problem is on the OS 325 but i would do a research befor you take a decision.

Chris

Here's a tip for spot lock when it gets snotty. If you notice the TM running much above 6 or 7 constantly to hold station, put one motor in gear. It works well.

 

[Lonewolf2731]

Good morning all,

First post here, so show me some grace . My wife is currently looking at a Pursuit OS 325, but the Grady 330 Express looks more fishy to me. The one "non-negotiable" to me is the ability to incorporate a Trolling Motor for spot lock. I've searched the web quite a bit, and seen mention of it, but have yet to find anyone whose done it. I figure one of you guys must know if its possible?

We went from a 26 Wolrd Cat to a 40 Ocean SS, which we had for 7 years, and was my wifes favorite boat. We then moved water front and found out we weren't using the Ocean as much. We sold the sportfish and moved to a Worldcat 295cc. I love the boat, but my wife wants more protection, so now we are shopping for an express. I have an 18k# lift, and 3' of water on a blowout tide. My other non-negotiable is that the boat stays behind my house. No more Marina trips for me, as all my gear and the ice machine being beside th dock has me spoiled.

Anyhow, that's my situation. Any input on mounting a trolling motor on this beast. Looks like a "SeaSwivel" might make it possible.

Don't know about the trolling motor, but our compromise was the 330 Grady White Express. Enough room for us to take long trips, full galley/head and a great fishing boat.