23 foot Gulfstream ride vs 258 Explorer

[BillW]

I'm interested in teh 232 Gulfstream and the 258 Journey. Two questions:
1.) How does ride of the Gulfstream compare to the ride of the Journey as the Gulfstream is wider and a little shorter?
2.) Technically the Gulfstream is over the legal trailerable limit. Can owners comment if (and how often) they have been bothered or ticketed for trailering the Gulfstream?
I currently own a 1999 22 foot Grady fisherman powered by a 2003 225 hp Honda four stroke with a 2007 5 star trailer. The motor has 150 hours. The boat has the original bimini top with brand new (never been used) canvas covers for the console, seat and two jump seats. It has a VHS radio, brand new 2007 GPS, and original fish /depth finder. I bought the boat last June and love it but for family reasons want to trade for a cabin style boat. Anybody interested in a trade?

 

[jrocket567]

Although I cannot speak directly about the 258, the beam on the 232 makes a heck of a difference, especially while drifting. Coming from "narrow beam" boats, and then after my experiences in the wider Gulfstream, I would never go back to a narrow beamed boat.

In addition to the ride, It also has more breathing room to move around in. One of the major selling points of the Gulfstream (it was that or the Seafarer), was how Dad did not have to squeeze himself between the captain's chairs heading to the cockpit.

The beam also helps with a trolling spread-- I can easily run 5 lines on any day, and 6-7 on very nice days, without outriggers.

The trailering question also came up, and many owners (and the dealer) said that they hadnt had too many issues with the width. Majority of cops won't notice the extra width, unless you try to drag it through downtown Manhattan. I'm not sure about where youre located, but in Virginia, to get an over width permit, all you need to do is go online, tell them where youre going, and print it out.

I love the Gulfstream and wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe a new 28 Sailfish) but I dont think you will be upset with either.

Jay

 

[wahoo33417]

Bill: Our dealer put a 232 and a 258 in the water for us to compare side by side. Both were rigged with F150s. The dealer was fantastic. Both rode very well. We got into some 2' - 3' chop. I thought the 258 went into the seas a bit better and the 232 handled a following sea a bit better. Not a great big difference either way. But it makes sense. The narrower beam and longer running surface of the 258 gave it an edge heading into a chop. The 232, with four-strokes hanging on the bracket, made it a bit easier to keep the bow from digging in while running in a following sea. The 232 drifted well, but with 740 hours on my 258, I can say it also handles beam seas well.

We opted for the 258 largely for what I think is a more more fishing-friendly transom. And the Admiral liked the transom door for getting on the boat with dive gear.

The 258 sacrifices too much (in my opinion) walk-around space to accomodate the cabin. It is tight when a sailfish takes you around the boat in 4'-5' seas.

The F150s pushed the 258 up onto plane much quicker and with less bow rise than the 232. In the end, we opted for the single F250 for fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance.

While waiting three months for the F250 to come in, our dealer let my wife and I take the 232 out for a day, where we had a chance to change our minds. We didn't.

I'm very happy with our 258. If it just had a bit wider walk-around space it would be about perfect for us.

Rob

 

[BillW]

232 vs 258

Thank you very much for your response. Everyone has been great offering their input.

Sounds like I can't really go wrong either way. I was kind of leaning toward the 232 because I felt it offered a little more open cockpit and more spacious cabin but I go back and forth. Especially because the 232 is not legal to trailer and while I have a slip I occassionally like to fish in different spots.

Thanks again,

Bill

 

[BobP]

BillW, your question has been asked many times before, do some searching for old posts for more info. Getting out on both boats on similar tough water days will tell a lot. There is no substitute for sea trial.

As was said, where you live effects law enforcement activities on trailering.

It's not just permits, days of the week like Sundays or Holidays / hours of the day - towing may not be allowed at all. I suggest you call a few of your local boat movers and ask them what restrictions there are - they will know. It's best to find out now.