I currently have a 1995 228 seafarer which I repowered two years ago. This boat is a great ride, I love it. The need is changing and the need for an open bow is here. What are the opinions on going from a seafarer to a freedom 235 or 255? Also the current a 1995 seafarer 228. 250 suzuki 100 hours, new lighting all over, fusion sound system, huge tower and top, garmin electronics. Anyone got an idea on asking price?
Grady white freedom 235
- Thread starter Grady2219
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Mustang65fbk
GreatGrady Captain
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I think that the biggest consideration in terms of pricing will be where you're located at, what all the boat comes with and the condition that it's in. If you're on the east coast or the southeast like Florida, prices are typically quite a bit lower than they are out here on the west coast/Pacific Northwest area. My initial thought process was between $30k-$35k because of the repower and there's not a ton of competition for other 228 Seafarer's on websites like Boat Trader and so forth. I think the biggest reasons for a lower price would be that the boat itself is now 30 years old, it's the older style of 228 Seafarer, does it come with a trailer? Etc. Not exactly an apples to apples comparison but I bought my boat back in October of 2021 in Maryland for $26.5k, of which she's a 2004 Grady White 228 Seafarer with a 2004 Yamaha F225 at just under 1k hours on her at the time of purchase and a 2009 aluminum I-beam trailer. I'd been looking for a boat for just over a year before I found mine and was looking at 228 Seafarer's exclusively, as well as checking all of the major boat sales websites religiously. Even today, I still look around on Boat Trader and other websites to see what's being sold and for how much.
You might be able to get a higher price if you're on the west coast/PNW, but I think you're going to possibly have a somewhat smaller pool of people interested in a boat that's now 30 years old. As has also been talked about before, a good deal of credit unions and so forth also won't loan on anything over 20-25 years of age. And also as mentioned above, a lot of it depends on the actual condition of the boat, what's all included, etc. It's quite difficult to give anything more than a ballpark figure over something that I've never seen either in person or any pictures of, as well as know next to nothing about the boat, etc. I can't give much of any insight on a 235/255 Freedom other than just the specs being the weights of said boats are likely going to be pretty similar, if not a little bit more than your 228 Seafarer and both come with an 8'6" beam. Which should be a little bit better than your 228 Seafarer which is only an 8' beam. That being said, the 255 Freedom is still the same width as the 235 Freedom, even though it's a longer boat, so that might be something to consider, along with the fact it'll likely cost a bit more money. With having a dual console style of boat, you're likely not going to have as much weight in the bow of the boat either like you would with a walkaround, so it may not be quite as comfortable or smooth riding? Idk, someone with a 235/255 Freedom I'm sure will be along here shortly and give you their opinion, either way, good luck with whatever you decide on doing.
You might be able to get a higher price if you're on the west coast/PNW, but I think you're going to possibly have a somewhat smaller pool of people interested in a boat that's now 30 years old. As has also been talked about before, a good deal of credit unions and so forth also won't loan on anything over 20-25 years of age. And also as mentioned above, a lot of it depends on the actual condition of the boat, what's all included, etc. It's quite difficult to give anything more than a ballpark figure over something that I've never seen either in person or any pictures of, as well as know next to nothing about the boat, etc. I can't give much of any insight on a 235/255 Freedom other than just the specs being the weights of said boats are likely going to be pretty similar, if not a little bit more than your 228 Seafarer and both come with an 8'6" beam. Which should be a little bit better than your 228 Seafarer which is only an 8' beam. That being said, the 255 Freedom is still the same width as the 235 Freedom, even though it's a longer boat, so that might be something to consider, along with the fact it'll likely cost a bit more money. With having a dual console style of boat, you're likely not going to have as much weight in the bow of the boat either like you would with a walkaround, so it may not be quite as comfortable or smooth riding? Idk, someone with a 235/255 Freedom I'm sure will be along here shortly and give you their opinion, either way, good luck with whatever you decide on doing.