WTB Adventure 208 / Seafarer 228

[too_tired]

Hello all just got into the market looking for more boat than my 19'CC for socal offshore fishing. Did some research and decided an older 208 would fit my needs and budget which brought me here.

Looking specifically for a 208 with a hardtop, at least 200hp 4 stroke and a trailer in good condition. Also would look at a 228 with a hardtop.

Id be able to make the drive to pick it up sometime in March or April.

Also I'm located in Orange County, CA

Budget: $25k

***updated post to reflect budget and to include 228 in the search as well

 

[Mustang65fbk]

For some reason the hardtop option on the 208 Adventure seems like a rarity and I hardly ever see them when looking at boat ads online, at least the older models that you're referring to. I think your best bet would be to look on the east coast as they're more popular back there, and are oftentimes half the price or less. I bought my 2004 Grady White 228 Seafarer back in October of 2021 in Maryland for $26.5k and have seen almost identical boats sell out here in the Seattle area for $55k-$65k or more. I then rented a U-Haul truck and trailered the boat back 3,009 miles from Maryland to Seattle, and this is actually the third time that I've done this before. Boats in the PNW and west coast are insanely priced, which my biggest question would be what is your budget? Also, if you're looking at the 208 Adventure, I'd also consider the 226/228 Seafarer for oftentimes not too much more money, and they more often than not seem to have the hardtop comparatively. Plus, it's going to be a bigger, heavier, better riding boat than the 208 Adventure will be. Here are a couple of options, but the 208 Adventure is a 1997 hull and has a 2 stroke motor on it, of which you said you wanted a 4 stroke. Though it is one of the few that have a hardtop. The other option would be something like this 226 Seafarer.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1997-grady-white-adventure-208-9156217/

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2003-grady-white-226-seafarer-8991414/

 

[Skins88]

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Here's a link to the one I'm selling. Up in Vancouver Canada.

 

[bcoco]

just came across this listing
https://southcoast.craigslist.org/boa/d/wareham-1999-grady-white-208-adventure/7702850551.html

 

[too_tired]

I came across this boat on the east coast. Seller says the owner passed away last year and it hasn't been run in over a year.

2002 208 with factory hard top
2016 Suzuki Df225 - 180 hrs
Extremely dirty and there looks to be algae growth.

Any thoughts before I pay to get it surveyed?

 

[KingJ]

My wife has talked me out of selling our 2003 208 so I've deleted those posts. My health issues are manageable and we're looking forward to a few more years enjoying our awesome boat.

If you ever need help with transporting a boat from the East Coast - or anywhere for that matter - we used UShip for ours with complete satisfaction.

The Online Shipping Marketplace

uShip makes shipping motorcycles, boats, and other large items fast and affordable by connecting you to our network of carriers who compete for your shipment.

www.uship.com

All the best!

 

[too_tired]

I have family in Dallas and South Carolina so I'd probably making the drive out and back myself and using those as rest points.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

just came across this listing
https://southcoast.craigslist.org/boa/d/wareham-1999-grady-white-208-adventure/7702850551.html

That's been on Craigslist for months and months now, and I think that's because of a few reasons. The first would be the price, imo. I look at what I paid for my boat which is a 2004 GW 228 Seafarer with a hardtop, 2004 Yamaha F225, 2009 aluminum I-beam trailer and basic accessories/electronics. I bought my boat for $26.5k and this one comparatively is 5 years older, has the original 2 stroke motor, basic electronics and so forth. Considering I paid $26.5k for my boat, I wouldn't ever consider this boat being a contender for $20k. On top of that, I imagine that most who are looking at boats likely already have a truck, and especially since there is no mention of how many miles the truck has on it. With the boat being 25 years old now and the truck now being 10 years old, I think $20k for the boat or $40k for the whole package could be spent better elsewhere. Not trying to bash anyone's boat, and if the seller is a forum member then I wish them good luck with the sale. I just don't see that setup being worth that price, and I don't think others do either, or else it would've likely sold by now.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I came across this boat on the east coast. Seller says the owner passed away last year and it hasn't been run in over a year.

2002 208 with factory hard top
2016 Suzuki Df225 - 180 hrs
Extremely dirty and there looks to be algae growth.

Any thoughts before I pay to get it surveyed?

Yikes... that boat is dirrrrty and looks like it's been sitting for sometime. You'd think they would've cleaned it up and detailed the boat before posting the video. How much are they asking for it?

 

[Mustang65fbk]

No hardtop on this one, but here's another as well...

20' 2007 Grady White - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

20’ 2007 Grady White with a Yamaha F150 4-stroke and 2015 Venture tandem axle aluminum trailer. This boat is in exceptional condition with only 584 hours on the engine that just received a full...

charleston.craigslist.org

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I also think that for those who are looking at possibly buying a 208 Adventure, I'd honestly also consider a 226/228 Seafarer as well. Here's a 2005 GW 226 Seafarer with the factory style of hardtop for $31k. My previous boat was a 21' Arima, of which I figured a 22' Grady White would be overkill comparatively. I'm glad I went the 228 Seafarer route over the 208 Adventure though as I wanted a hardtop, and the 208 Adventure's are hard to find with them. On top of that, I love the extra space and the extra weight makes it an even more comfortable ride. I'd step on both a 208 Adventure as well as a 226/228 Seafarer and see which one you like more.

2005 grady white seafarer - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

2005 22’ Grady white seafarer. Bought from original owner in 2020. New complete strata glass enclosure from Grady white in 2022. New control station cover from Grady white in 2020. Factory Grady...

jerseyshore.craigslist.org

 

[too_tired]

Yikes... that boat is dirrrrty and looks like it's been sitting for sometime. You'd think they would've cleaned it up and detailed the boat before posting the video. How much are they asking for it?

They we're asking 25 but he said it sold for 26. Been an issue too just trying to get people to respond after telling them I'd need a survey.

Currently talking to someone in LA with a late 90s 228 that has a 2 -stroke.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

They we're asking 25 but he said it sold for 26. Been an issue too just trying to get people to respond after telling them I'd need a survey.

Currently talking to someone in LA with a late 90s 228 that has a 2 -stroke.

I'd be patient and keep looking on Boat Trader, Boats.com and Yacht World as well as Facebook, Craigslist and so forth everyday until you find what you want. It took me just over a year to find my boat and Imo, a late 1990's to early 2000's GW 208 Adventure imo shouldn't be in the mid $20k's, considering that I paid $26.5k for my boat.

 

[Thaboatgoat]

I have a few 218 adventures

 

[too_tired]

I have a few 218 adventures

I believe those may be totally out of my budget at the moment.

 

[too_tired]

I'd be patient and keep looking on Boat Trader, Boats.com and Yacht World as well as Facebook, Craigslist and so forth everyday until you find what you want. It took me just over a year to find my boat and Imo, a late 1990's to early 2000's GW 208 Adventure imo shouldn't be in the mid $20k's, considering that I paid $26.5k for my boat.

It might be the current boat market. What I've been seeing is 208s in that year range all in the 20's.

Came across a 1999 228 that I could probably pick up for $10k, but it is a Katrina boat and it hasn't been on the water in about 5 years. Stored in a shed according to the owner.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

It might be the current boat market. What I've been seeing is 208s in that year range all in the 20's.

Came across a 1999 228 that I could probably pick up for $10k, but it is a Katrina boat and it hasn't been on the water in about 5 years. Stored in a shed according to the owner.

I've seen a few early 2000's GW 232 Gulfstream's recently in the mid to high $30k range, which makes me think a decent late 1990's/early 2000's 228 Seafarer should be in the high $20k's to mid $30k's at the most with original power. Now, obviously if it's been repowered to a brand new motor, or something within the last say 4-5 years then that's a completely different story. Also, are those 208's actually selling or still listed for sale? I've seen probably a dozen or so of Grady White's over the years that are still listed because of the asking price, some of which were listed for sale back when I bought my boat in 2021.

If the hull checked out on the 228 you pictured, I'd offer them $7,500 and then repower her.

 

[too_tired]

I've seen a few early 2000's GW 232 Gulfstream's recently in the mid to high $30k range, which makes me think a decent late 1990's/early 2000's 228 Seafarer should be in the high $20k's to mid $30k's at the most with original power. Now, obviously if it's been repowered to a brand new motor, or something within the last say 4-5 years then that's a completely different story. Also, are those 208's actually selling or still listed for sale? I've seen probably a dozen or so of Grady White's over the years that are still listed because of the asking price, some of which were listed for sale back when I bought my boat in 2021.

If the hull checked out on the 228 you pictured, I'd offer them $7,500 and then repower her.

He wouldn't come down past 14k. The search continues.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

He wouldn't come down past 14k. The search continues.

$14k? Yikes. If that needed a new outboard, there's an extra $20k-$25k or more and then you'll be up to $40k invested into the boat rather quickly. Which to me, definitely wouldn't be worth it at that point. For $10k, there's a little more wiggle room to work there but nothing above that.

 

[Am429]

My husband just decided to sell our 2001 Seafarer 228 Hardtop 200HP Yamaha 2 stroke. We are in NY email Am429@aol.com