Hello, My wife and I are Grady White owner wannabes. We recently purchased a condo on the southwest coast of Florida as a winter getaway and would like to have a boat there. We have a dock with a brand new lift. I should say that our primary residence is in Maine and we are avid sailors owning a 40 ft sailboat. Now that I have lost half of you, we are aware of the great reputation of the Grady Whites and would like something between 22 and 25 feet or so to start. I have been studying the listings on eBay, craigslist, and usedboats.com. There are way too many choices. We would like a boat to explore the area, for swimming, scuba diving, and and to try fishing (yes, I believe that even sailors can learn to fish). Can someone explain the Grady White models in that size range? Some seem to have larger cockpits, some larger cuddy cabins. What are the pros and cons between a single outboard, twin outboards and an IO? How about transom mounted versus bracket mounted engines. What should we be looking for as far as trouble spots go. And did I mention that we are on a limited budget for this acquisition? So we are looking for something from the late 80's or early 90's. One last question, where else should we be looking? We would prefer to find a boat in Florida. Thank you.
Too many Grady's, too confusing.
- Thread starter mgrishman
- Start date
Hi mgrishman.
First off, I have a world of respect for sailors. I have friends with 38's and 40's. To watch them handle sheets, halyards, trim them underway, find the sweet spot to tack, run abeam, etc. is a privlige to watch. Nothing cooler to see than a sailboat with the main and the genny trimmed just right.
Unless, of course, it's a Grady on plane....
Speaking of such, you'll fins lots of great people and knowledge here.
To start it off, I have owned a Seafarer 22 and currently own a Gulfstream 23 with twin 200 4-Strokes. Either of these would suit your purpose admirably. I have cruised most of SW Fla. and know the areas somewhat.
I prefer twins Vs. a single for dockside handling and maneuvering, plus, they jump the boat out of the hole a little easier. They'll drink a bit more fuel, but not a lot.
The Gulfstream is a better boat than the Seafarer. it rides waay better, is roomier and is more stable drifting or trolling at sea. The only downside is the 9'3" beam that makes it more of a pain to trailer. Since you have a lift, I'm assuming this isn't an issue for you.
That said, the Seafarer is a good boat. The smaller size makes it a bit easier to mess with, plus, if you like the single engine idea, it's the best choice, as I feel the Gulfstream is too big for a single.
The cabins on both are adequate, but nowhere near the Marriott. The Seafarer has a V-berth, sleeps two fine.
The Gulfstream has a "bunk" arrangement on the Starboard side and a completely useless stove/sink combo on the Port. The Gulf also sleeps two, one upper-one lower, unless you have your significant other. In that case, two can sleep below for a total of 3. There are filler cushions that can be removed if desired.
Both my 22 and current Gulfstream have bracket-mount engines. That is my preference because it gives it a better look and it prevents seas boarding the boat astern if your backing into them. I am told a bracket-mount arrangement makes the boat a little harder to horse around a dock, but with caution and concentration, it doesn't bother me.
If you are looking used, the trouble spots should be addressed by guys like Richie Rich, BobP, Catch 22, Nothing Else Matters, Megabytes, No Problem, and a host of others. These guys are pros and have been there. They can really steer you right on a used purchase.
There are other Gradys in your size range that I have not had personal experience with. I try to comment only on what I know and can say with confidence.
Have fun..the journey to buy a boat is almost as cool as the destination. This is the best site to take with you on that journey.
First off, I have a world of respect for sailors. I have friends with 38's and 40's. To watch them handle sheets, halyards, trim them underway, find the sweet spot to tack, run abeam, etc. is a privlige to watch. Nothing cooler to see than a sailboat with the main and the genny trimmed just right.
Unless, of course, it's a Grady on plane....
Speaking of such, you'll fins lots of great people and knowledge here.
To start it off, I have owned a Seafarer 22 and currently own a Gulfstream 23 with twin 200 4-Strokes. Either of these would suit your purpose admirably. I have cruised most of SW Fla. and know the areas somewhat.
I prefer twins Vs. a single for dockside handling and maneuvering, plus, they jump the boat out of the hole a little easier. They'll drink a bit more fuel, but not a lot.
The Gulfstream is a better boat than the Seafarer. it rides waay better, is roomier and is more stable drifting or trolling at sea. The only downside is the 9'3" beam that makes it more of a pain to trailer. Since you have a lift, I'm assuming this isn't an issue for you.
That said, the Seafarer is a good boat. The smaller size makes it a bit easier to mess with, plus, if you like the single engine idea, it's the best choice, as I feel the Gulfstream is too big for a single.
The cabins on both are adequate, but nowhere near the Marriott. The Seafarer has a V-berth, sleeps two fine.
The Gulfstream has a "bunk" arrangement on the Starboard side and a completely useless stove/sink combo on the Port. The Gulf also sleeps two, one upper-one lower, unless you have your significant other. In that case, two can sleep below for a total of 3. There are filler cushions that can be removed if desired.
Both my 22 and current Gulfstream have bracket-mount engines. That is my preference because it gives it a better look and it prevents seas boarding the boat astern if your backing into them. I am told a bracket-mount arrangement makes the boat a little harder to horse around a dock, but with caution and concentration, it doesn't bother me.
If you are looking used, the trouble spots should be addressed by guys like Richie Rich, BobP, Catch 22, Nothing Else Matters, Megabytes, No Problem, and a host of others. These guys are pros and have been there. They can really steer you right on a used purchase.
There are other Gradys in your size range that I have not had personal experience with. I try to comment only on what I know and can say with confidence.
Have fun..the journey to buy a boat is almost as cool as the destination. This is the best site to take with you on that journey.
Hi ! I too was a sailor (sailboat racing all my life -IOD's rhodes 19 flying scots oday day sailors) and went to the "dark side" last year and bought a 24 ft. grady white voyager 1997. My wife and I like the boat very much. It is a walk around with a very nice sized cuddy cabin. It has plenty of cockpit space and handles the seas very well. We took a trip from Marblehead Ma to Portland Maine this summer and really had a great time. I would be glad to give you all the particulars on this boat and pricing etc. if you need further info. The boat has a 1997 yamaha 250 on it with a 4 stroke 9.9 yamaha kicker on it. Lew Send me a pm if you want a whole bunch of details.
wahoo33417
GreatGrady Captain
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In the year classes you're considering, you may want to see in which years each of these models took on the SV2 hull. The SV2 hull will make a difference in a chop. I believe that hull design first came to the 30' marlin in 1998 and was on all hulls 22' and up by 1992. The Grady White website has catalogs for every year that will confirm for sure.
Good luck with your search.
Good luck with your search.
You have found the right place to ask questions. We bought a 228G Seafarer this past August, and being a Grady newbie, there was a lot that I didn't know. There are some really knowledgeable folks here, and they are very generous with their experience. This board has been a real education. I read it every day.
My wife and I really like our 228G. It's not too big, but it's big enough such that we feel pretty safe in the rivers and sounds here in Savannah. Ours is a 10 year old boat and motor, but I'm still impressed with the quality of the boat, and the layout, fit, and finish are excellent. We will have this boat and enjoy it for a long, long time.
SwampGrizz
My wife and I really like our 228G. It's not too big, but it's big enough such that we feel pretty safe in the rivers and sounds here in Savannah. Ours is a 10 year old boat and motor, but I'm still impressed with the quality of the boat, and the layout, fit, and finish are excellent. We will have this boat and enjoy it for a long, long time.
SwampGrizz
There are not as many models as it seems.
Go to the GradyWhite website and look at the original catalogs from the years you are interested (late 80 -early 90s), they are all at the site by year. There were many model variations on same hull vs.today.
For instance there were several Sailfish models and a variant with a simple cabin layout. Nonetheless same hull, 6 different layouts total as I recall (4 with outboards). bracket boats were more expensive but expanded stern room tremendously with a full width cap and plenty of service area.
Bigger boats consume more furl, for instance the Marlin burns 25% more fuel than the Sailfish given same motor technology.
Then start from the largest down or smallest up, see standard equipment and options.
Look on boatraderonline, etc, to find what's available in your area, and prices. For instance, motors on transom cutout on a Sailfish were rare, motors on bracket common. You can check with Grady dealers to see if they have any for brokerage sale, many times trade ins.
But don't assume they are in better condition just because overpriced as usually are, if you do you will be taken.
In those years, expect to find boats today that need work, some a tremendous amount of work, good for DIYers (like me!).
Depending on your need and use for a cabin, they are much the same otherwise. Do you want to stand in cabin w/o hitting head? How many to sleep? Head? ? etc.
Outboards is probably what you want today, either one or two, and may have to repower whatever you find from those years unless already repowered.
Motors are very expensive, figure $15K - $18K a pop installed on same rigging.
The Islander and Gulfstream were offered singles or twins, Sailfish and Marlin twins only. Only boats no wider than 8ft6in in USA have no trailering restrictions, wider ones do. Any Grady at 8ft6in can take a single motor, i.e. the Offshore model.
Be sure to hire an expert to check boat out otherwise structural restoration can be cost prohibitive by hired hands- so you need to know condition thereof. New electronics is the easy stuff and relatively cheap compared to new motor(s) and transom/stringer grid/coring rebuilding - which is made entirely of wood.
Good luck!
Go to the GradyWhite website and look at the original catalogs from the years you are interested (late 80 -early 90s), they are all at the site by year. There were many model variations on same hull vs.today.
For instance there were several Sailfish models and a variant with a simple cabin layout. Nonetheless same hull, 6 different layouts total as I recall (4 with outboards). bracket boats were more expensive but expanded stern room tremendously with a full width cap and plenty of service area.
Bigger boats consume more furl, for instance the Marlin burns 25% more fuel than the Sailfish given same motor technology.
Then start from the largest down or smallest up, see standard equipment and options.
Look on boatraderonline, etc, to find what's available in your area, and prices. For instance, motors on transom cutout on a Sailfish were rare, motors on bracket common. You can check with Grady dealers to see if they have any for brokerage sale, many times trade ins.
But don't assume they are in better condition just because overpriced as usually are, if you do you will be taken.
In those years, expect to find boats today that need work, some a tremendous amount of work, good for DIYers (like me!).
Depending on your need and use for a cabin, they are much the same otherwise. Do you want to stand in cabin w/o hitting head? How many to sleep? Head? ? etc.
Outboards is probably what you want today, either one or two, and may have to repower whatever you find from those years unless already repowered.
Motors are very expensive, figure $15K - $18K a pop installed on same rigging.
The Islander and Gulfstream were offered singles or twins, Sailfish and Marlin twins only. Only boats no wider than 8ft6in in USA have no trailering restrictions, wider ones do. Any Grady at 8ft6in can take a single motor, i.e. the Offshore model.
Be sure to hire an expert to check boat out otherwise structural restoration can be cost prohibitive by hired hands- so you need to know condition thereof. New electronics is the easy stuff and relatively cheap compared to new motor(s) and transom/stringer grid/coring rebuilding - which is made entirely of wood.
Good luck!
If you can, go visit a Grady dealer nearby. Tell them what you want and get some suggestions from them. Although you'll look at some brand new models, you'll get an idea of Grady quality.
If you can find a boat with a newer engine, that would be great. Singles will be more efficient as well as cheaper to maintain. You'll be running in fairly shallow water, not making long trips, etc so a single should be fine.
Ascertain the max weight on your lift and try to keep your boat weight 1,000 pounds or so under that. Many people try to squeeze more out of their lifts than it can hold and then you have a big repair bill. Here's my former neighbor with his new, bigger boat on his lift after he sold his 28 Grady.........He caught it right before the lift failed!!
Also, after you get the boat, since it will be sitting unattended for long periods of time, consider getting a nice, quality boat cover for it. This will help to keep it nice, keep the bird poop off of it and just protect it better than just sitting in the elements.....
If you can find a boat with a newer engine, that would be great. Singles will be more efficient as well as cheaper to maintain. You'll be running in fairly shallow water, not making long trips, etc so a single should be fine.
Ascertain the max weight on your lift and try to keep your boat weight 1,000 pounds or so under that. Many people try to squeeze more out of their lifts than it can hold and then you have a big repair bill. Here's my former neighbor with his new, bigger boat on his lift after he sold his 28 Grady.........He caught it right before the lift failed!!
Also, after you get the boat, since it will be sitting unattended for long periods of time, consider getting a nice, quality boat cover for it. This will help to keep it nice, keep the bird poop off of it and just protect it better than just sitting in the elements.....