Grady vs Scout in the 27-28' range

FREEDOM!!!

FREEDOM!!!

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
323
Reaction score
119
Points
43
Age
54
Model
Freedom 235
I've been considering upgrading from the 235 to a Freedom 285, but then I'm also curious about the Scout Dorado 277. I don't know anything about Scout other than it has a great reputation and most people put them on par with Grady. Unfortunately, there aren't any in my area to go look at or sea trial.

Was wondering if anyone has experience with Scout. How's the ride, quality, fit and finish....compared to Grady? One thing for sure, the Scout is absolutely gorgeous! In my opinion it's the nicest looking DC out there. Grady tends to look a little old-fashioned by comparison. But the most important factor for me (and mostly my wife) is ride quality. The Grady hull is just superb.

Just looking for some honest feedback. Thanks.
 
I agree that the Scouts are sweet looking. I have considered them in the past. Looking at the specs, they always showed up considerably lighter than the Grady. I couldn't get over thinking they were not as robust as the Grady. That may not be true, only in my mind maybe, because I was never aboard one. I don't know if that weight difference is notable in the models, you are looking at. On the pretty scale they rock.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: FREEDOM!!!
FREEDOM!!! said:
I've been considering upgrading from the 235 to a Freedom 285, but then I'm also curious about the Scout Dorado 277. I don't know anything about Scout other than it has a great reputation and most people put them on par with Grady. Unfortunately, there aren't any in my area to go look at or sea trial.

Was wondering if anyone has experience with Scout. How's the ride, quality, fit and finish....compared to Grady? One thing for sure, the Scout is absolutely gorgeous! In my opinion it's the nicest looking DC out there. Grady tends to look a little old-fashioned by comparison. But the most important factor for me (and mostly my wife) is ride quality. The Grady hull is just superb.

Just looking for some honest feedback. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I have no experience with Scout, but there's one at a place called Legendary Marine in Destin, Florida which appears to be about 20 miles away from you.

 
FREEDOM!!! said:
Yeah, the Legendary salesman already contacted me about that one. Offering a smoking deal on it, but I can't get over that hideous baby blue interior.
Click to expand...
I mean true... it probably wouldn't be my first choice, or even second or third... but you could at least check out the quality, fit, finish and layout of the boat to see if it's even something that you're interested in?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: FREEDOM!!!
I looked at Scout before going with a Grady and I agree with whoever said they seemed like they are lighter built. No disrespect intended, Scout makes a fine boat, I think Grady makes a more dated boat but a tougher boat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bergrenm and FREEDOM!!!
Mustang65fbk said:
I mean true... it probably wouldn't be my first choice, or even second or third... but you could at least check out the quality, fit, finish and layout of the boat to see if it's even something that you're interested in?
Click to expand...
They even offered to have the interior replaced. They know that blue is a disaster and are desperate to get rid of it. Anyway, I think we made a decision. We are going to keep the 235 for a while. No real need for a bigger boat. So instead we just bought a little Boston Whaler Montauk 150 yesterday. The wife said she wanted her own boat to canal cruise with and putter around the sound. It was her idea. Besides, she said if we were to upgrade the 235 it would be a bigger Grady. She doesn't want anything else.
1746272506022.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peter A, igblack87, Mustang65fbk and 2 others
FREEDOM!!! said:
They even offered to have the interior replaced. They know that blue is a disaster and are desperate to get rid of it. Anyway, I think we made a decision. We are going to keep the 235 for a while. No real need for a bigger boat. So instead we just bought a little Boston Whaler Montauk 150 yesterday. The wife said she wanted her own boat to canal cruise with and putter around the sound. It was her idea. Besides, she said if we were to upgrade the 235 it would be a bigger Grady. She doesn't want anything else.
View attachment 36901
Click to expand...
Well that’s a perfect boat for canal cruising, plus you can drop the Bimini and go fly fishing. Regarding the Scout that is no longer on your radar screen but in addition to build quality I’d be looking at resale values.
 
on the scale of "bare bones tough as nails fishing boat" to "wine cruise and sand bar", scout is closer to the latter. the grady will be tougher & stronger and be a more timeless design. the scout will be fancier and trendier.
 
FREEDOM!!! said:
Besides, she said if we were to upgrade the 235 it would be a bigger Grady. She doesn't want anything else.
Click to expand...
I'd keep close tabs on your wife. There are plenty of men who would kill to hear their spouse utter those words!
;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: FREEDOM!!!
Like many women, the lines of a popular brand of cruiser were the apple of my wife's boating eye. Then she spent a few hours on one. Between the lack of functionality and the performance in chop was enough for her to recognize GW is doing something right with their designs.
 
family affair said:
Like many women, the lines of a popular brand of cruiser were the apple of my wife's boating eye. Then she spent a few hours on one. Between the lack of functionality and the performance in chop was enough for her to recognize GW is doing something right with their designs.
Click to expand...
I'd be a dead man if I ever bought a boat that didn't handle the waves as well as the Grady no matter how awesome it looked. That's her main priority. Good thing I didn't get that sweet SeaRay I wanted....
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: family affair
I looked at a 28ft Scout XF (the one with the boxes inside the gunnel) from about 2005 and it was in a good shape for the age.
Only problem i found was that the bench was too far forward and my knees hit the console, but i guess bench could be unbolted and moved a tad back.
Boat was on the dry so i could not sea trial her, however she left me a well built impression.
Chris
 
FREEDOM!!! said:
I've been considering upgrading from the 235 to a Freedom 285, but then I'm also curious about the Scout Dorado 277. I don't know anything about Scout other than it has a great reputation and most people put them on par with Grady. Unfortunately, there aren't any in my area to go look at or sea trial.

Was wondering if anyone has experience with Scout. How's the ride, quality, fit and finish....compared to Grady? One thing for sure, the Scout is absolutely gorgeous! In my opinion it's the nicest looking DC out there. Grady tends to look a little old-fashioned by comparison. But the most important factor for me (and mostly my wife) is ride quality. The Grady hull is just superb.

Just looking for some honest feedback. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I have just purchased a 2025 275, moving up from a 232 gulf stream, I have also had a scout 202 center console. I would look seriously at the scout. Grady builds a nice boat but the 275 has handling issues. both my scout and 232Grady ran and tracked well, I can't say that for the 275. the 275 tends to roll to one side or the other and say there, any correction lays it over to the other side and the large hardtop adds to the problem in a crosswind.
I would look to the scout or a 285GW if you can.
Good Luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FREEDOM!!!
John perkins said:
I have just purchased a 2025 275, moving up from a 232 gulf stream, I have also had a scout 202 center console. I would look seriously at the scout. Grady builds a nice boat but the 275 has handling issues. both my scout and 232Grady ran and tracked well, I can't say that for the 275. the 275 tends to roll to one side or the other and say there, any correction lays it over to the other side and the large hardtop adds to the problem in a crosswind.
I would look to the scout or a 285GW if you can.
Good Luck
Click to expand...
I have heard that about the 275. Same beam as the 235. Long and skinny and a bit tippy. If we do eventually upgrade it will most likely be the 285.
 
I own a Freedom 285 one of the best boats I have owned. Probably over my lifetime over 20 boats.
Great family boat and I use for fishing as well. I decided to go with 285 over 275 because one foot in length and one foot in beam! A 9'6" beam on a 28 foot boat is extremely stable and platform that can go through tough seas. I have twin Yama 250 and cruising at 22-25 knots burns around 15-17 gph. Great ride, I upgraded my electronics with Garmin and put on Minn Kota Spot lock. I can dock it myself if needed. Great fit and finish and love the Max hull. No idea on the Scout, but Grady has the name. Not that many used 285 around, you want twins no single engine on that boat. Only issue with the beam you are supposed to obtain special permit to trail it? My boat is in RI if you are close by?
 

Attachments

  • side view.jpg
    side view.jpg
    121.5 KB · Views: 4
Gspier1 said:
I own a Freedom 285 one of the best boats I have owned. Probably over my lifetime over 20 boats.
Great family boat and I use for fishing as well. I decided to go with 285 over 275 because one foot in length and one foot in beam! A 9'6" beam on a 28 foot boat is extremely stable and platform that can go through tough seas. I have twin Yama 250 and cruising at 22-25 knots burns around 15-17 gph. Great ride, I upgraded my electronics with Garmin and put on Minn Kota Spot lock. I can dock it myself if needed. Great fit and finish and love the Max hull. No idea on the Scout, but Grady has the name. Not that many used 285 around, you want twins no single engine on that boat. Only issue with the beam you are supposed to obtain special permit to trail it? My boat is in RI if you are close by?
Click to expand...
That's what we are looking for. Like you said, there just aren't many around for sale in the Florida panhandle. There are a few in south Florida. The Scout wins hands-down on looks and creature comforts. Grady's are first and foremost fishing boats...a bit spartan, but tough as nails. If a Scout ever comes up in my area I might have to take a look just to see...but I think our next boat is going to be the Freedom 285.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SCSeawolf
FREEDOM!!! said:
They even offered to have the interior replaced. They know that blue is a disaster and are desperate to get rid of it. Anyway, I think we made a decision. We are going to keep the 235 for a while. No real need for a bigger boat. So instead we just bought a little Boston Whaler Montauk 150 yesterday. The wife said she wanted her own boat to canal cruise with and putter around the sound. It was her idea. Besides, she said if we were to upgrade the 235 it would be a bigger Grady. She doesn't want anything else.
View attachment 36901
Click to expand...
Does she have a sister...? :D
 
I think you have to go in with an open mind, inspect thoroughly and ride both in various conditions. A heavy boat is good for sure but don't let the GW bias get in the way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.