HELP - Freedom 235 drifts abeam when drift fishing

[W2f4]

New to Grady and this site.
Bought my fist Grady last fall, a new 2025 Freedom 235, took delivery this spring.
Thoroughly enjoying the boat and appreciate it's quality. Seating comfort and hardtop shade is fantastic. It's been great for the bay and river in central New Jersey coast.
However, in the ocean I have much to learn on how to dial it in for decent ride.
Coming from a 2660 sailfish center console that ate up ocean conditions cruising on top for a comfortable ride.

I mostly bottom fish for summer flounder & black sea bass at the local artificial reefs, ~5 miles from the inlet.

My 235 is drifting abeam and in this orientation the wind is dominate pushing me sideways, I'm getting too much side to side rocking that gets uncomfortable and limiting my time in the ocean.
btw I'm 68 and in overall good condition considering my spine's lumbar region is fused S1-L2, so dialing in for comfort is important.

In the Grady, thus far seems I'm limited to going out only when seas are 2 feet or less, and the wind needs some westerly component, ideally pure west. (NE/W/SW)

I've tried a single drift sock (51" across when laying flat / 36" dia) 75 feet off the bow hoping it would put the bow into the wind and chop, but it still drifts abeam.
I've also tried the drift sock from mid cleat, got a bit of rotation but still mostly drifting abeam.
btw - This size drift sock could hold the 26 center console bow into the wind chop.

I usually leave the 235's center windshield & bow doors open.

Thinking....
Next time out try closing the center windshield and bow door.
Try different engine positions.
I have another drift sock of similar size, could try adding as a second drift sock at the bow's other cleat, hoping the 2 don't get tangled.
Try the drift sock at the stern, though I'm not crazy about wind chop constantly hitting the stern & engine.

Would greatly appreciate any advice

 

[Jaysin52]

Welcome to the family! I purchased a 255 Freedom in September and finally got out to do some sea bass and flounder fishing out of Ocean City MD last week for the first time. We ran into the same issue in the same conditions. We did not use a drift sock. I keep my curtains on year round (advice from a highly reputable canvas person that's been doing it a long time). We kept all the windows, bow door, and bow windshield open. I was able to keep the boat tracking straight with just the outboard being slightly turned, and would bump it occasionally, maybe every 5 + minutes. There was a brief learning curve but we were able to do this for over 2.5 hours. I hope you're able to be able to do the same!

 

[ROBERTH]

Interesting to know why you didn't keep the sailfish as I hear they are a great ride. How did it drift?
In regards to drifting abeam, I have heard most center consols do this, however, I had a old 20' bowrider type boat before the 25 Grady Sailfish WA that I have now and they always drift with aft facing current/wind/waves.
I don't see any issues with the aft facing. It is most comfortable as you don't get the bow raising up and down if bow is facing the waves.
I am not really sure why they drift abeam. Would have thought the drift sock would have solved it.

 

[DennisG01]

Can't help with the solution as I've never been in that situation, but it's an interesting dilemma and primarily, that's why I'm writing to be able to follow this.

Obviously what's on the top side (CC, dual console, WA, whatever) doesn't really factor in - other than having extra canvas up, like a sail, for example. It's gotta be just a function of the size of the boat... length vs beam. Right?

Other than turning the engine hard over one way or the other, just some other thoughts...

-- Drop one or both tabs?
-- For the heck of it, try tilting the engine up

For a double sock... could you add a simple spreader bar between the two of them to keep them apart -- a 3' length of 2x4 for example just to clarify the "thought"... but certainly something better could be used. Would a 2x4 cause too much flotation? Maybe use a piece of PVC pipe, maybe drill some holes in it (maybe not needed), attach to each sock with a flange adapter (with a reinforcing backer plate).

Just spit-ballin' some thoughts

 

[Ekea]

were your engines down when you were using the drift sock? if so, they were also acting as a drift sock, but from the stern. id raise them and give that a try.