Tournament 225 for big water fishing

[T_Wrecks]

Hello Everyone,

First post. I'm hopefully a soon to be Grady owner, and am curious as to if anyone fishes a Tournament 225 on the big water. I currently run an '87 BW Outrage 19 with riggers, and usually four/five rods off the side (2x diver, and 3x planers). I was looking at a seafarer, but don't need the WA, and the Tournament looks like a better all around option.

My questions are:

Does anyone have an tournament with downriggers attached to it, and if so are they easy to navigate around when docking

What's the minimum power req? (I have a newish 115 yam SHO if I find just a hull)

How is landing fish around the extended engine bracket/outboard

How stable is this thing in chop (I fish southwest Lake Michigan in 2-3' waves (3' at max))

Hardtop with boom, or trees?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

-Travis

 

[magicalbill]

I don't fish, so I know nothing about outriggers, working fish around engines, etc.

I do know that if you have a 22 foot Grady in 2-3 footers on L Michigan, you will be safe, but hardly comfortable. It will likely ride a tad better than your Outrage, and you'll roll while drifting and experience a rough ride underway.

It takes a 15-20kt wind to work up 3 footers on the Lake and any 22 foot boat will be thrown around in those kind of conditions.

I would look for a bigger boat, but if that's out of your budget, just pick your days. Between Chi-Town and Kenosha WI, any SW wind under 15 kts will be a decent day offshore.

 

[T_Wrecks]

I don't fish, so I know nothing about outriggers, working fish around engines, etc.

I do know that if you have a 22 foot Grady in 2-3 footers on L Michigan, you will be safe, but hardly comfortable. It will likely ride a tad better than your Outrage, and you'll roll while drifting and experience a rough ride underway.

It takes a 15-20kt wind to work up 3 footers on the Lake and any 22 foot boat will be thrown around in those kind of conditions.

I would look for a bigger boat, but if that's out of your budget, just pick your days. Between Chi-Town and Kenosha WI, any SW wind under 15 kts will be a decent day offshore.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the insight.

 

[billyttpd]

I do not think a 115 hp is anywhere near enough motor to push a 22 Tournament. Ideal power IMO would be a 250. A 200 at minimum

 

[George Kasparyan]

I agree with billyttpd. A 115 will struggle to get that vessel on plane at best, then factor in people and gear. Grady made the Tournament 225 until 2010 and it was rated at a maximum horsepower of 250 (specifications attached below). I believe a 250 is perfect for that boat.

 

[Dragginbait]

I’m running electric cannon down riggers on my 228. Used gimbal mounts. I can take them out and store in cabin when not in use. There’s minimal room to mount swivel bases directly to gunnel. 250hp is minimum. Also netting off back is no problem with a extendable ego handle.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

The hull can easily handle your conditions.You could run it with a 225 ,250 or 300 I suppose. I have Taco telescoping outriggers . they are mounted to a hard top. I take them off when I don't need them. a buddy of mine runs gunwhale mounted outrigger holders and they worked great when I fished with him in May. That boat has loads of usable deck space and I have never had an issue with bracket and losing a fish. it's a great boat.

 

[T_Wrecks]

Thanks everyone for your comments. If you know anyone selling a tournamnet, or a freedom, I'm currently in the market.