First Grady - Which Model Would Work Best For Us?

FreedomCrawler

FreedomCrawler

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Oct 21, 2025
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Annapolis
Good morning all. We just shifted to Annapolis area from Hawaii and I’m looking to finally get a boat here. I was originally planning to get a sailboat however I like the idea of being able to trailer around the area a bit more. After more research I’ve settled on finding a Grady White.

It’s just my wife and I along with the kid. Maybe a pup on the boat every now and then so wouldn’t be a lot of people. Here’s what I’m looking for:

- Something comfortable for the family, so thinking a cabin not a CC.
- Be able to fish off of or tube if the kid wanted to. Would also love to be able to scuba dive off of in the right areas. So Swim platform would be a plus.
- I don’t plan to go miles away from shore. Mainly the Chesapeake and if I tow down the east coast or something.
- Most likely going to keep on trailer. Tow vehicle is a diesel Jeep gladiator ~6500# max
- I’m mechanically inclined so don’t mind wrenching but have only had small trailer sailers around 22’ and never had to do fiberglass work. Can learn but don’t have extensive motor boat knowledge.
- Budget $6-8k as I don’t mind putting some work into one with good bones. I’m budgeting in storage fees/repairs outside of that budget. Looks like late 80’s/early 90’s fit this. That and I want to make sure we use it. Will go from there if we enjoy it enough.

I would love a gulfstream based off what people have said about them but I’m limited on my tow vehicle so I’ve nixed that.
I’m thinking Overnighter or Seafarer 226/228 might fit the bill?

No clue on which transom setup would be better for getting in and out of the boat or if it matters? Full, with the cut out or outboards attached to a mount off the back of the boat?
Inboard vs outboard? Seems like the inboard engines are reliable but outboards are easier to swap out.


I really appreciate it a lot!
 
aGrady has been out of the inboard market for quite some time. Good overall boat for your needs and family size would be a 22 for Seafarer. The Seafarer has a cuddy cabin and walk around and a few different transoms. I believe a swim platform was available on all mode;;s. It is a good all-around boat. I would look into purchasing one with the SV2 hull. It provides a much softer ride. I believe the SV2 hull became available with the 1992 model. That may put you out of your desired price range but it would be worth it if you could swing it. Good luck
 
  • Like
Reactions: FreedomCrawler
Legend said:
aGrady has been out of the inboard market for quite some time. Good overall boat for your needs and family size would be a 22 for Seafarer. The Seafarer has a cuddy cabin and walk around and a few different transoms. I believe a swim platform was available on all mode;;s. It is a good all-around boat. I would look into purchasing one with the SV2 hull. It provides a much softer ride. I believe the SV2 hull became available with the 1992 model. That may put you out of your desired price range but it would be worth it if you could swing it. Good luck
Click to expand...
Yes it seems about 50/50 in regards to inboard bs outboard in the years I’m seeing. Generally late 80’s. 4.3 in the overnighters and 5.0 in the seafarers

Year wise, in the range I’m looking it seems below 1990 is the most common. Some teetering the budget 91/92’ but that may have only been one or two.

Also been trying to find one with a hardtop which also seems about 25% of the ones I’m looking at have already
 
Unfortunately for 6-8k choices will be limited and likely need work. I’d go with the best maintained one you find.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FreedomCrawler
MA208 said:
Unfortunately for 6-8k choices will be limited and likely need work. I’d go with the best maintained one you find.
Click to expand...

I’ve got about a dozen right now that I’m looking at within a few hours of me. I think with the season and area we are in I’m pretty lucky. Just trying to narrow down boat and setups to consider going after. From there focus on what I can work on. Configuration and model are my main focuses to try and narrow down my searches. I’m seeing the most overnighters, sailfishes and gulf streams and then seafarers.
 
Yikes... total budget of only $6k-$8k? I don't think you're going to be able to get much for that price and would also maybe consider a 208 Adventure as they're going to be a smaller, less expensive boat. In regard to weight, I think you're going to be at or over your 6,500 lb max towing capacity with a 228 Seafarer that's moderately loaded down. I've got a 2004 GW 228 Seafarer with the hardtop, Yamaha F225 and aluminum I-beam trailer, of which my boat alone weighs over 5,300 lbs with just a half tank of fuel and minimal other fishing gear. My aluminum trailer also weighs 975 lbs per the registration, which would mean you're again likely going to be over your 6,500 lb maximum tow rating. A few things to mention and I believe they were spoken of up above, it wasn't until 1992 that GW came out with the SeaV2 hull, which they still use today. Before, they used the SeaV1 hull and it's not as smooth of riding, as well as it makes for a wetter ride. On top of that, in I believe it was 1997 GW stopped using standard marine grade plywood and instead switched over to a product called Greenwood XL, which is supposed to be better at resisting rot. If you don't care about either of those things and are on a strict budget then by all means go about it in that direction. I love my boat, have had no issues with it knock on wood and think the only reason why I would ever sell it would be to get a bigger Grady White like a 232 Gulfstream.

That being said, I don't see my fishing/boating needs changing up anytime soon and the boat is perfect for what I use it for. Mostly I use it to troll for salmon, check crab pots, go cruising, you can pull kids on an inner tube or waterski, you can go to the sandbar, have a sunset cruise, overnight on it if you're feeling adventurous, take the boat to SeaFair, etc. It's a perfect sized boat for trailering/launching/boating/retrieving on your own and is super easy to tow. I love how it has the transom bracket and the fully enclosed transom as opposed to the bang plate/cap, which also gives you more fishing space since it doesn't have a motor well taking up a ton of room. The cabin is definitely small but functional and you could overnight with two adults as well as maybe a small child onboard. I also love the hardtop as it will keep you and the family out of the elements and much more comfortable when fishing/boating. As mentioned before though, I think you'll be close to if not over your maximum tow rating, which would have me considering a 208 Adventure if I were in your shoes. That being said, I'd also consider increasing your budget considerably, but that's also just me. Good luck with your search.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FreedomCrawler
Thanks for taking the time to reply on that Mustang. Extremely in depth. Budget wise that’s what works for me right now and I think it’s a great opportunity to see if we enjoy it and use it as much as I hope. That’s my initial purchase budget as well. I assume tune up and repairs along the way will add to that. I enjoy older vehicles and tinkering so the nostalgia of older things is often more attractive to me as well. Which obviously leads to its own issues.

Right now my top choice is a 1986 seafarer 228g. I like that it has the bracket system on the stern to allow more room and the 22’ size. It does have an older 1999 Yamaha 250 OX66 on it though with unknown hours. However at least it’s an outboard that I can work on or swap easier if needed.
Second top choice is a 1988 Overnighter with hardtop and the inboard mercruiser. This one cosmetically looks a little better At least in the pictures. Hoping to see it today.

I think that gives me a good range of both models in regards to what I’m looking for. No to see the pro’s/con’s of inboard vs outboard and the two boats. Luckily the overnighter is a lot closer but the seafarer is further
 
If the ones you're looking at are halfway decent - go for it. I don't think you can do wrong at that price as long you don't need to spend many hours and $$ doing a floor/stringer rebuild. So check those out well. Since the OB has a solid transom, that helps to alleviate the ridiculous transom rot issue of many GW's.

Stern drives are great things - but there is more maintenance/upkeep on them. Specifically, bellows and transom seals - and manifolds/risers if it's seen a decent amount of salt. I wouldn't personally shy away from an I/O - but OB's are certainly simpler. And with 250HP on that size boat... MORE than enough power from the OB.
 
DennisG01 said:
If the ones you're looking at are halfway decent - go for it. I don't think you can do wrong at that price as long you don't need to spend many hours and $$ doing a floor/stringer rebuild. So check those out well. Since the OB has a solid transom, that helps to alleviate the ridiculous transom rot issue of many GW's.

Stern drives are great things - but there is more maintenance/upkeep on them. Specifically, bellows and transom seals - and manifolds/risers if it's seen a decent amount of salt. I wouldn't personally shy away from an I/O - but OB's are certainly simpler. And with 250HP on that size boat... MORE than enough power from the OB.
Click to expand...

Great thank you. I think my biggest concern with the inboard is the engine life since they are usually original engines and the seal? Around where it exits from the bow? Not sure if that’s even an issue.

I like the idea of the 228 a lot and besides it not having a hardtop, it seems like the better boat option when it’s apples to apples. Obviously not the case with used boats when it comes down to their upkeep and condition but definitely leaning towards the 228g unless the overnighter is in better condition. If the inboard is good to go and it is in good condition I could easily be swayed
 
FreedomCrawler said:
Great thank you. I think my biggest concern with the inboard is the engine life since they are usually original engines and the seal? Around where it exits from the bow? Not sure if that’s even an issue.

I like the idea of the 228 a lot and besides it not having a hardtop, it seems like the better boat option when it’s apples to apples. Obviously not the case with used boats when it comes down to their upkeep and condition but definitely leaning towards the 228g unless the overnighter is in better condition. If the inboard is good to go and it is in good condition I could easily be swayed
Click to expand...
Sure!

Can you clarify what you're asking regarding seal/exits bow? I'm not sure what that means.

I/O's can definitely go a long, long time - easily a couple thousand hours if cared for... minus "crap happens" of course :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.