THINKING OF MOVING UP IN SIZE

[SUNSHINE 204 C]

HELLO I HAVE BEEN A PROUD OF MY 1988 204 C GRADY THAT I BOUGHT NEW I"M THINKING OF GETTING A BIGGER GRADY.I WAS LOOKING AT A 2004 25" GRADYWHITE JOURNEY AND A 2005 27 GRADYWHITE 273 CHASE CC. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYBODY HAS HAD THESE MODELS. ALSO I WAS WONDERING IF ONE HAS A SMOTHER RIDE THAN THE OTHER. ALL MY BOATING IS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY. TIGHT LINES JEFF

 

[Marty grady 272]

In the Chesapeake the issue id that the depth is shallow and the reach is long. This causes wave a condition called chop. Very short duration in time from peak to peak. The shorter the boat the greater effect that you will experience. I could tell the difference when I went from a 25' to 28 foot boat. Either of the boats that you are looking at will feel better and be less tiring and will allow you to have a greater speed range for a more comfortable ride. I have found the same chop issue in Long Island Sound.

 

[Grouper Duper]

We had a 228G for 10 years, and then moved up to a 263 Chase (same hull as you're looking at, but older deck layout). The difference in ride between the two is quite large, but that's to be expected with five more feet and twin engines. Though we loved our walk-around layout, we'll probably always stick to CCs now. More room, easier to clean, etc.

As an interesting side note, we get roughly the same fuel burn going from the 228G with 225 OX66 to our 263 with twin 200 HPDIs; that's an impressive technology change! Most of the boats of the age you're shopping will have four strokes, so I would expect the same. For what it's worth, we get just over 2mpg at cruise.

Good luck!

 

[reelbeliever]

I have owned a 2006 Journey for about three years now. Very comfortable ride. I'm in Shark River, NJ. I use the boat in the ocean, as well as local bays like Barnegat. I had 19 foot previously, very large difference in comfort.