gradyfish22
GreatGrady Captain
Summer Rae,
I have to agree with Tim, I would not be worried so much about the side to side motion as structural issues, yes the tower might make it slightly more tender but if it is just a standing platform without controls or a buggy top that is not that much weight, maybe 200-300lbs at most. The biggest concern is the hardtop itself, if the standing platform is on a stock hardtop I'd avoid it. You really need a custom hardtop or one modified all together. The 265 has a large hardtop for a 26 ft boat, possibly the largest on any boat in its class. Grady does not recommend a liferaft on top which weights maybe 100lbs, there is no area strong enough to support this area when you are running and pounding. You would have to add an aluminum plate under neath to support the weight, that means taking the wiring out of the piping to weld it in. Then you need to reenforce the hardtop supports. Tim's hardtop came loose with no added weight, but his is the only one I heard oif that happening to so far, but I have heard of problems on hardtops where guys did install liferafts, the mounting bolts came loose or the pipe welding cracked. It may only be 100-300lb of weight but it is in a place it was never designed to be supported and it adds a bit of stress on the hardtop and its structure. If having the tower is a big benefit to you, be aware you may need to modify the hardtop and spend a few bucks to make her safe for years of use. Regardless, I'd sea trial the boat and see how she feels drifting, if she feels fine to you go for it, if not find one without the tower there are a handful for sale. We just listed our 1989 22 Grady with a broker and he just posted a gorgeous 4 stroke powered 2002 265 express I think they are asking $78,000. Boat is through brightwater yacht sales in pt pleasant NJ. I only took a quick glimpse of the boat from the dock but it looks to be in great shape and priced about right for 4 stroke power, I'm sure with the market they would come down a bit as well. I know you may not want to travel but always remember southern boats are exposed to the elements more and are typically used more so they should be a few bucks cheaper in price then a northern boat that is run for a shorter season and stored on land and covered, not saying you cannot find a great boat down south but they should be a few bucks cheaper in price.
I have to agree with Tim, I would not be worried so much about the side to side motion as structural issues, yes the tower might make it slightly more tender but if it is just a standing platform without controls or a buggy top that is not that much weight, maybe 200-300lbs at most. The biggest concern is the hardtop itself, if the standing platform is on a stock hardtop I'd avoid it. You really need a custom hardtop or one modified all together. The 265 has a large hardtop for a 26 ft boat, possibly the largest on any boat in its class. Grady does not recommend a liferaft on top which weights maybe 100lbs, there is no area strong enough to support this area when you are running and pounding. You would have to add an aluminum plate under neath to support the weight, that means taking the wiring out of the piping to weld it in. Then you need to reenforce the hardtop supports. Tim's hardtop came loose with no added weight, but his is the only one I heard oif that happening to so far, but I have heard of problems on hardtops where guys did install liferafts, the mounting bolts came loose or the pipe welding cracked. It may only be 100-300lb of weight but it is in a place it was never designed to be supported and it adds a bit of stress on the hardtop and its structure. If having the tower is a big benefit to you, be aware you may need to modify the hardtop and spend a few bucks to make her safe for years of use. Regardless, I'd sea trial the boat and see how she feels drifting, if she feels fine to you go for it, if not find one without the tower there are a handful for sale. We just listed our 1989 22 Grady with a broker and he just posted a gorgeous 4 stroke powered 2002 265 express I think they are asking $78,000. Boat is through brightwater yacht sales in pt pleasant NJ. I only took a quick glimpse of the boat from the dock but it looks to be in great shape and priced about right for 4 stroke power, I'm sure with the market they would come down a bit as well. I know you may not want to travel but always remember southern boats are exposed to the elements more and are typically used more so they should be a few bucks cheaper in price then a northern boat that is run for a shorter season and stored on land and covered, not saying you cannot find a great boat down south but they should be a few bucks cheaper in price.