1994 tournament 19 open bow

[tictactug]

I am absolutely new to Grady's. I've always loved them, but own a Defiance.

However, I have a friend looking at a 1994 tournament 19 open bow. It has a 94 yamaha 175 saltwater series engine.

As you guys are the experts, just curious as whether it's a good salmon fishing boat (here in the puget sound).

The boat has about 300 hours and has been sitting for 8 years (the owners husband passed away). The son is selling it for her for $13K.

While any of the grady's I've been in look to be pretty set up, it looked like there wasn't a lot of storage room, but I'm only looking at pictures.

Another question is trim tabs? Is this a true deep V like my defiance. My friends not used to that type of boat, and I can't find any specs on the thing.

Again, just share thoughts and feelings if you have the time, I appreciate the help.

 

[Parthery]

The 192 is a nice setup....by '94, it too had become a Sea V2 hull design. The boat was basically unchanged from that point forward, and has in fact been brought back by GW for 2010 with virtually no changes (a flat panel dash for flush mounting and SS rubrail instead of rubber).

The bigger concern, if it was me, is what kind of shape the motor is in. If it hasn't been run in 8 years the carbs will likely need to be rebuilt...a new water pump, a drain of the fuel and oil tanks, and new batteries are where I would start. My guess is you have at least a $1000 bill to accomplish all this, so take it into account as you price it out.

 

[delongo]

Well, how do ya like that, a fellow Puget Sounder. There's not too many out there.... I have a 1994 tourney 192. I've been incredibly happy with this boat. I have a 200hp saltwater series. I love the power of this boat, but i think if i had the chance i would run a 175 on it.

I feel that it has a very ample storage. Even more than i thought. Over Memorial Day i took it from the Ballard Locks to Roche Harbor and it had plenty of room for myself, my lady, and an 85LBS lab. We camped so we had all of our camping gear as well as two coolers and a rubber container. I found that there was plenty of room to walk around the boat if you pack right. Utilizing all the space up front is crucial, but there really is a ton of room. I even have a 17" BBQ that i keep on board at all times. It also handled better than any boat i've been on of that size. It cuts through the water like butter.

I'm sort of with the other guy on the the maintenance that you may have to do, although i bought mine last year with 200hrs on the boat/motor and it's run perfectly (knock on wood). I would just take it into Jacobsen's Marine and have them do a service for $300 and go from there.

Hope this all helps and give me shout if you want need more info.

Cheers

 

[tictactug]

Do you have a kicker motor????

We'll be using this thing to troll for salmon. We're going to have to figure out how to get one attached or it's a no go on the boat.

 

[striped bass]

I agree with Parthery. Big expense lies ahead to make this vessel safe and sea worthy. Deck panels should be on your friend's list as well - not a cheap fix if they are rotted. $3,000 and up is a more realistic number to bring this boat up to par. $13K is too high a price for a 15 year old 19' boat - even a Grady.

Please post some pics.

 

[tictactug]

the boat has less than 300 hours on it.

It looks perfect and has been stored under cover it's whole life. The deck seems solid. Is there any way to test other than walking on it?

 

[striped bass]

Run a moisture meter over the entire deck (and hull). The meter will tell the story. Also knock all over the deck with a small hammer. The deck panels should have the same solid knock as the deck itself. If any part of the panel has a dead flat sound like a dull thud you probably have water logged wood core. A professional fiberglass specialist can do this test very well if you have any available. Main thing is to be very careful and cautious since this is, after all, a 15 year old boat.

Good luck.

 

[delongo]

I do not agree with Striped Bass what so ever. 13k for a clean grady is actually a great deal especially in the Northwest. They are typically in far better condition than an Eastcoast boats. Eastcoast Grady's are cheaper for a reason because of the weather over there. I bought mine for 15k last year and it's in mint condition and i plan to keep it that way. They are unbelievable boats and very much live up to there reputations. If it's in great condition, i would take it out for a sea trial and have a motor inspection, then go from there.

I do in fact run a 8hp kicker Yamaha on mine and it's located on the starbird side off the back swim platform (opposite the swim ladder). It's always out of the way and pushes the boat just fine.

 

[striped bass]

$13K for a "clean" Grady is the key issue. The buyer needs to build in wiggle room in case there are any "unclean' issues that he gets stuck with. A few structural defects and/or engine problems not caught before the purchase can run into many thousands of dollars to repair so he needs to protect himself. If Northwest boats are in better shape structurally the buyer can easily verify that fact with proper professional inspections before the purchase. If the vessel comes out with a superior bill of health then tictactug can re-visit the $13 asking price. Until the boat and engine are declared fully sound, buyer beware.

 

[delongo]

Okay, yes, inspections should be done. However it's not like you're buying a Bayliner here. Yes, i do understand it is still a boat, and yes it could have problems, but typically Grady's don't have those kind of issues. They are built very strong to withstand all sorts of conditions. I did not have a survey done on the boat that i own, however maybe i'm lucky maybe i'm not. If i was buying a bigger boat, then yes i would have a survey done. I understand what Striper Bass is saying although we just differ in our opinions. I hate to see someone spending a thousand plus dollars on multiple inspections for an inexpensive boat when in fact if something was wrong with the deck you could fix it with that money and if nothing is wrong then it's money lost. If you have money to burn then go ahead and get all the inspections. Good luck.

 

[striped bass]

I would like to share a few Grady facts with my fellow Grady captains some of which I have personally experienced myself. Gradys suffer from dry rot deck panels. Much discussed on this and other boating forums as well as transom replacement. This 15 year old boat is not under warranty so that is a $2K repair job to remove, scrape and replace the wood core under the deck panels. The 2 stroke SWS Yamaha is automatically suspect due to its age especially after sitting for an extended period of time. New power head (installed) is $5K to 6K. Electronics such as GPS, horn, VHF radio, aerial, wiring, batteries, fuel pumps, oil pumps, fuel sensor indicators in the tanks, VST, O2 sensor, are all up for grabs and can run into many thousands if needed to be replaced. The list goes on and on. These items will in all likelihood show up within the first year of tictactug's useage of the vessel unless he has an experienced professional check it out beforehand and then there is still no guarantee. Also a thorough survey beforehand helps build confidence in your boat especially before taking out the family and children on the open water.
Delongo, I do get you point, however. For only $13k, what the hell - get the boat and take the odds that it is a clean vessel. If additional work is required after, perhaps, it may be worth the risk.
For me as a class act annal retentive, I prefer to inspect every system before I would make this purchase. Its more of a matter of individual style and preference. Delongo your approach has merit, too. I just take a different approach.

Tictactug we hope to see some pics real soon after all this "free" advice :>)

 

[delongo]

Fair enough Mr. Bass. Now it's time to see the real deal. Good luck on your purchase and if you decide not to go thru with it, may you have great luck in the future. If you have any other questions give me a shout or come take a peak at mine. Have a good one guys!

 

[tictactug]

Delongo,

What type of kicker bracket do you have???

 

[RICHNLE]

Tictaktug, you asked if the boat is a true deep V, and it is not. I have a 2002. The ride is still very good and the boat is very stable. I added trim tabs to be able to get the nose down when heading into a chop and am really glad I did. The tabs allow a slower plane in these conditions and allow the bow to cut through the chop for an excellent ride in a boat this size. I also added a kicker bracket (I am not sure the make now, but it is one of the adjustable ones with the red handle). The transom is pretty crowded, but it all fit, and everything works great. The bottom of the swim ladder does hit the trim tab when it is down, but it is not a big deal.

I am really pleased to see that they brought back the 192. The extra length and the smaller bow area leaves a lot more open space in the back than the 185. I am always amazed at how much stuff and people we can get into that boat. The 185 has a much roomier bow area which many people really like.

 

[delongo]

Tictaktug, I am not sure what brand of a bracket it is. It's pretty simple though. Basically what it does is lays flat on the swim platform about 8x8 and then on the end it has another vertical piece that is also about 8x8. And that's where the kicker slides down and attaches. This proabably sounds confusing but it's the best way i can describe it