The Walk Around Cuddy R.I.P.

ttles714 · Aug 31, 2021

Unless I read it wrong, bit it seams that Grady is offering only 3 WAC models ... 20' -23'-30' ..... I don't know how smart that is ?? They started the trend in WAC's and now leaving much less in the possible choices. I have owned 4 GW's and all were WAC's. A friend wanted to buy a New 258 Explorer only to find that it has been removed from the line up. I always hoped they would build a 35' WAC ... I hope they know what they are doing !!!

luckydude · Aug 31, 2021

I'm a 228 WAC owner, I love it. I didn't like the looks at first but the first cold day out in Northern California, I was sold. Such a great boat.

I talked to Gwen at Grady when they killed the 228 and she said they just didn't sell that many. Which is weird, there are a ton of them out of my harbors and the more north you go, the more people like them.

I think that Grady makes a ton of money out of warm water boats. Center/Dual consoles. They've got every model of those you could ever want.

I'd love it if Grady made a Grady-White-West that was all walk arounds for our colder waters. Probably not going to happen but there is a market out here for a 228 clone.

Fishtales · Aug 31, 2021

Yup. They use to sell "family fishing", now the day boater that entertains like the big bow riders leaving the CCs the only boat line up for fishing. The DCs and CCs mostly come with enclosed heads, so I get it. Sad to see the WA go. If you want one, look at other brands. There are some nice WAs out there, they may not be GWs, but prob just as good and maybe even better.

leeccoll · Aug 31, 2021

Fishtales said:
Yup. They use to sell "family fishing", now the day boater that entertains like the big bow riders leaving the CCs the only boat line up for fishing. The DCs and CCs mostly come with enclosed heads, so I get it. Sad to see the WA go. If you want one, look at other brands. There are some nice WAs out there, they may not be GWs, but prob just as good and maybe even better.

You nailed it FT

Don Davis · Aug 31, 2021

Well all I can say is that smart people can make dumb decisions and maybe their is a future business idea here for the smart business people… this from a happy WAC owner.

magicalbill · Sep 1, 2021

They know exactly what they're doing. They haven't been in business this long by making wrong choices. They are catering to the Market: to the demands of the Buyer.

They are running a Corporation. The Front Office has to go with buying trends, and now it's dayboats and partying at the sandbar. I've owned a Seafarer a 232 Gulfstream and currently have a Marlin; I have no interests in a Freedom Dual Console, but the majority of the Public does, and that's what matters.

ttles714 · Sep 1, 2021

I wonder if by catering to the market, they are loosing a big part of the market .... They have eliminated the 24-26 foot WAC market from their product line. The 20 over nighter was my first WAC .. then the 24 offshore... and now a marlin300.... The 258 Journey was a great model to fill that gap. Now Grady only makes ONE legally trailer able (in most states) WAC model, the 20' Adventurer ... I was surprised they would trade the Journey for the Gulfstream as a choice. I have a buddy with a 30 ' Center Console ... As pretty as it is , HE CAN KEEP IT !!! THERE IS NO COMFORT AT ALL .. It's about 80 miles to the Gulfstream here... Do I need to explain further ???!!!! Granted, they have the larger express models but so do many other builders. Grady made their nitch in the market place by selling well designed WAC's in the 20 to 30 foot range. My Feeling would be to turn the 20 Adventure into a 21 and then go to the 258... Stay with the Euro Transom ... I think Grady has made some poor decisions thru the years ... The Tigercat Cat... the 290 Chesapeake .. the Atlantic 26, and maybe even the 268 islander, along with the Diesel sterndrive.. So I wonder how good this decision is!!!!! .just my opinion ... Never Forget Your Roots !!!

kirk a · Sep 1, 2021

More than likely a case of follow the money. The market seems to want DC's these days. I absolutely do not understand the appeal to the DC, but it must really be a case of new boaters looking and wanting the extra seating for sandbar and the 3x cruises a year. My gut says that the larger DC's market will crash at some point, as people start to realize the limitations and compromises of the design. (tough to overnight and fish on front)

Can't blame GW for following the market, their job is to sell boats.

ttles714 · Sep 1, 2021

Follow the market ..... Grady got to this point for leading the market, not following !!! Offer a well made product and offer a product that everyone else doesn't make..... The market is flooded with manufacturers producing CC's and DC's .... Highly competitive...... Grady has pulled itself out of the trailerable mid size market of WAC's. Time will tell !!

nuclear · Sep 1, 2021

My last boat was a DC, but I always wanted a WA and now I do. I have no desire at all for a CC, but I realize that is not the norm in today's market. If I had no kids maybe my story would be different, but they love the cabin. My daughter is way out of napping age, but for some reason, when she gets in the cabin she always falls asleep.

MashpeeMan · Sep 1, 2021

kirk a said:
More than likely a case of follow the money. The market seems to want DC's these days. I absolutely do not understand the appeal to the DC, but it must really be a case of new boaters looking and wanting the extra seating for sandbar and the 3x cruises a year. My gut says that the larger DC's market will crash at some point, as people start to realize the limitations and compromises of the design. (tough to overnight and fish on front)

Can't blame GW for following the market, their job is to sell boats.

I don't disagree with this... which is why I scratched my head when they discontinued the 192 DC (which I own and love). Maybe a little bit too small for many but on decent days it's an extremely capable boat and so easy to maneuver/trail, etc.

Don Davis · Sep 1, 2021

I still work for a living and therefore have to plan a lot of my days on the water as they are determined around my days off and holidays. Due to the weather, my Seafarer allows me more days on the water than a CC or DC would here in the north west, plain and simple. Plus I love the storage in a walk around with the cuddy and a place to overnight.

Meanwhile · Sep 1, 2021

They have made a secondary market for the PNW. Here is a conversion of a Grady made in Scappoose, OR by Joe Dovel He has also made a nice weather top for a 28' Grady with sliding windows. I'm considering having him do my boat.

kirk a · Sep 1, 2021

MarlboroughMan said:
I don't disagree with this... which is why I scratched my head when they discontinued the 192 DC (which I own and love). Maybe a little bit too small for many but on decent days it's an extremely capable boat and so easy to maneuver/trail, etc.

The other thing is that I'd venture to guess there is proportionately much more profit in a larger boat than smaller, which may help explain the 192.

The boat market is definitely skewed towards Florida, here in the Northeast, and in the Pacific, having cover is far more sensible than an open boat.

ttles714 · Sep 1, 2021

I am curious to see what the demand is for the new 251 coastal explorer ... shallow draft, low gunnels, "bay boat " In looking at the pictures above, PNW, I don't see any CC's or DC's !!! LOL They must all be out fishing !!!!

blindmullet · Sep 1, 2021

ttles714 said:
I am curious to see what the demand is for the new 251 coastal explorer ... shallow draft, low gunnels, "bay boat " In looking at the pictures above, PNW, I don't see any CC's or DC's !!! LOL They must all be out fishing !!!!

That will be a popular boat down here in Florida. Looks a lot like the Robalo Cayman. I get clowned by my family when we use the Grady...or as they call it...Grampa Grady.

glacierbaze · Sep 1, 2021

I just sold my DC Tournament 22, after 10 years. I don't recall ever riding in front of the windshield, but from the driver's view, it's easy to see that it is the best seat in the house, as long as you are not getting wet. For people who boat/fish primarily with family, instead of fishing/drinking buddies, and split their time between the local lakes and nearshore, DC's make a lot of sense. The Freedom line has an enclosed head, all the way down to the smallest model, which takes care of the biggest fault, in the long running Tournament predecessor.
All you have to do is look at the photo gallery for any boat in their line-up(except the Canyon 306), to see who they are marketing to, with generational goals.

Bird Blaster · Sep 1, 2021

I love the look and ride of the GW walk around. After this gulfstream my next one will be a marlin.

Fishtales · Sep 1, 2021

Lots of good comments here. I really like the walks as you get rapid bow access and use that you don't from an express. I'm not a fan of the DCs at all. Seems like my dealer has morphed into a day boat business and the bigger boats are just not in as they once were. I get it, I don't like it but I understand. I like my boat, but will be open to other manufacturers next time and do my homework.

SmokyMtnGrady · Sep 2, 2021

I love my 228 and I would love to be able to buy a NEW Sailfish or Marlin. There are a number of 228s cruising around Key Largo. I see a number of walks there. Maybe there will be a resurgence of the walk around. Part of Grady's problem is they built a great 22 footer that I bought new and I have taken care of it. it's not like buying a new car every 4-6 years. I bought new in 2009 and have the same boat. So, the market is kind of tough when you sell a new boat to a buyer who holds onto it. it is easier to grow your business with repeat customers than trying to attract new ones.. I drank the Grady Kool Aid and I am about to be in a position to possibly get a bigger boat . The Sailfish if I could get it new would be on my list. They invented the walk around and I suspect they will have a model or two in the line up. I wish they had more,but it is what it is.

The Walk Around Cuddy R.I.P.

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