What's GW's best seller?

[Graybeard]

Hey guys:
I was wondering which GW is the best selling model over the past 5 years or so. I see a lot of Express 30's out there. I have a Freedom 225 and I've only seen one other one on in my area of the Chesapeake Bay. But I do see plenty of 22 walkarounds with and without engine brackets out there.

 

[Roarque]

I was told by a Grady rep at the Miami Show in 2010 that the 232 Gulfstream is very popular. Then my local dealer said that Grady has tried to phase out the Gulfstream several times but the dealer back lash keeps them building this model. I bought one in 2011 and have been very happy using it as a fishing platform in the San Juan's and the Strait of Georgia. My one issue was with the Yamaha F150 engines which had a "hidden warranty" on a dynamic balancer unit that failed repeatedly on engines built between 2004 and 2009. Not Yamaha's finest hour IMO.

 

[billyttpd]

Someone referred me to a website that totaled how many of what models sold once and I cant remember what it is. My guess based on what I see? the 20 foot walkaround is probably there best selling model. Im not to far away from you on the Delaware Bay and I see a lot of them, mine included. th 25 Sailfish I think would be in the running perhaps the 22 Seafarer and Tournaments as well. they probably make more per unit on the bigger boats but the 20-22 market is/was their bread and butter so to speak. lastly the Offshore 24 probably gave them the capital to do it all. that seemed to be THE boat to own in the 80's...that's it final answer the Offshore 24 would be my guess for there best selling boat of all time.

 

[Tuna Man]

Years ago I subscribed to Powerboat Reports (consumer reports for boats), before the company went out of business. If I recall correctly, about twelve years ago Powerboat Reports claimed the most popular Grady model was the Sailfish. I'm sure that changed since then, after all there are more models now than ever.

 

[capeguy]

At the NE boat show a couple weeks ago, the GW display had almost every Dual Console Freedom on display from 20' - 36'. They had 1 cabin boat the 330, and a couple of CC including the new bay boat. One of the dealers told me the dual consoles are about 70% of their business now.

 

[JeffN]

Not very scientific but at the yard where I keep my boat the vast majority of new Gradys are Freedoms.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

In this months Boat US magazine it claims 95% of the boats on the water are 26 feet or less. In this size of boat sales grew the largest last year at 6.7%. My guess says the 22 to 24 foot range hulls are thr most popular of all time. I think part of Grady's growth in the dual console market is there is virtually nobody making duals above 27 feet. They found a niche where they can maintain sales. Think about it, how many builders build center consoles and walk around? Then think about how much more a Grady is in these categories. I could have saved a lot of money buying a 22 or 23 foot sea swirl walk around or scout or any other brand WA boat. In a tight market building mega dual console boats makes a lot of dollars and cents when you are the only guy doing it.

 

[Clockwork]

Seafarer would be my guess. Overnighter/adventurer would be my second guess. Sailfish number 3.

 

[Legend]

My guess would be Overnighter, Seafarer, Sailfish - Sailfish obviously losing ground since they have been discontinued - Could never figure discontinuing the Sailfish - knid of like Ford discontinuing the Taurus ?

 

[gradydriver]

The Dual consoles are their best sellers right now.....the 275 in particular.

 

[megabytes]

For many years it was the 208. As many have said, the DC have become by far the largest segment of sales. I have been told from the horse's mouth for example that the 307 outsells all other 30's combined by a large margin. My guess the best selling models in todays market would be the Freedom 20 and 22.

 

[magicalbill]

Meg;
Do you think they'll discontinue models like the Marlin/Seafarer/Gulfstream and other cabin models if the demand for dual consoles increases? Something may have to get squeezed out to make room for the new age boats.(I hope not...)

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

You know they discontinued the 192 for a couple of years because they had the 180 and 205 and it came back. They invented the walk around boat so I dont see it going away at all...why give up that market completely? I just dont see it happening. I think dual consoles are selling well because they are more family oriented than center consoles and more "party" on the water friendly than walkarounds. You got older guys who dont want to fish a lot, have older kids or grandkids and a big 30 foot dual console is a great boat to cruise and entertain on. Then you have guys like us who want to cruise, fish and go places and the cabin makes that happen.

You may see wait times lengthen on walkaround new build orders I suspect, but i just dont see how they not make them anymore.

 

[magicalbill]

Smoky..
Makes sense..I would hope the scenario you describe continues for years to come. I don't understand the demands and realities of construction, financing, running a business and marketing. It seems like everytime I find something I like, whether it be a boat, car, or for that matter, anything in life, they discontinue it.
Turtle Wax discontinued my favorite, "Platinum Series" wax and I bought up 60 cans of it. I can't buy 60 Marlins if they stop making them...

Oh, and to the original question of the topic. I vote, like others, the Seafarer and Adventure..Sailfish close behind.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

This question intrigued me enough to ask Grady and the answer is the Overnighter! It is their leading selling boat. And Magic, as long as there is demand for a walk around they will make them. The dual console market is hot right now.

 

[megabytes]

I win :goodjob

The 208 apparently is still the best seller. As to the future of w/a cabin models? It depends on the demand. They will continue for now but some folks high up in the ranks promised to inform me if I need to buy the last Marlin.

DCs are ruling at the moment but we all know how tastes can change over time. I am a bit surprised how many different models GW has compared to similar brands but they know their market well.

 

[Graybeard]

Well that settles it. I always wondered because my Freedom 225 is the smallest boat in our local Chesapeake Bay GW Owners club

 

[IBeGrady'd]

Bought my 2007 Tournament 225 2 years ago and never looked back (though a close call with Sandy was THAT close to disaster)...

What a delight it has been...and nice to note there appears to be a consensus in sales.