Best family / fishing boat

[Doulos]

I am new to Grady Whites. I boat around the Holden Beach NC area and I have been fishing out of a 20 foot Riddick but have grandbabies now and need a boat that will allow getting infants out of the weather, sun, and a potty for mamas, but it still be able to fish.

Primarily fishing on the intercoastal and rivers, but would like to venture offshore. Boat will be trailered when not on the water. Time spent will probably be 60% family time/ cruising 40% fishing. Need to be able to accommodate a trolling motor.

I have been pondering the 282 Sailfish and other cuddly cabins but I’m looking for suggestions

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

I have been pondering the 282 Sailfish and other cuddly cabins but I’m looking for suggestions

Please do your self a favor and go out on a cuddy cabin boat when it's sunny and hot and try to stay in the cabin for more than 10 minutes.
Most smaller than 30ft cuddy cabin or WA boats i know of have the cabin looking like a warehouse, but if you your your wife is very orderly and you carry only minimum boating and fishing stuff the space below can be usable if not too hot and stifling.

Would a dual console Freedom model not be the better choice?

Chris

 

[Hookup1]

I have a 1997 268 Islander which is basically a narrow beam Sailfish. Twin F150 Yamaha's. It is the smallest GW made with an enclosed head. It is a cuddy cabin that I use primarily for fishing so the cabin is a big tackle box. The built in rod holders are great. Microwave removed and converted to a tackle box. No A/C or generator so cabin can get hot - but there is a forward hatch. Also replace enclosure to get more air into helm area. Most of the time I don't use side panels. If this model appeals to you I would look for a 270 Islander with a little more power - 200's or 225's straight 4-cylinder no V-6's (beam too narrow).

I would stay away from the older Islander and Sailfish models. GW was still using plywood/Greenwood the transom's. Seeing a lot of $10,000 transom replacements on this site and many more in "denial".



I think Chris's point about looking at a Freedom model is a good one. More open layout, a little smaller, trolling motor capable. You can add aft and forward cockpit shades if you are not running around too far or fast.

Good luck!

 

[Mustang65fbk]

If you're looking specifically for a walkaround model of Grady White with a cabin, hardtop and so forth then I'd recommend a 232 Gulfstream. It's a big "little boat" at 23' but it has a 9'3" beam and sounds like it'll check off all of the boxes you have listed above for a boat. You could also always go up to the 282 Sailfish as you mentioned as well but that might start to become a bit bigger of a boat than you want, if you go out by yourself. If you're going to just be cruising 60% of the time, you could always look at a 235/255/275/285 Freedom as well. Of which the family might like something like that a bit more as it's an open bow boat and the kids/grandkids/wives could sit up front. They also have a hardtop available on them to keep people at least somewhat out of the elements and I imagine you could still fish just fine with one, even though they're a dual console style of boat. Good luck with whatever you decide on doing.

 

[GH02050]

My biased opinion... I personally love my 232 Gulfstream. The weight and beam makes it seem and perform like a much larger boat. It's a nice ride on even a shitty day and easy to go solo. We love the cabin too but it's a lot hotter in NC your experience could be different. Freedom's are also really nice boats if you can wrap your mind around a dual console. configuration.