Potential Buyer - Tell me about Grady moisture issues

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sccsurf

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I've admired these boats from a distance for some time. I'm in the market and have been searching for boats in the 1998-2005 range for a bout two months now - particularly the 232 Gulfstream. I feel like it would suit a family of 5 well for the harbor but also have the ability to safely and comfortably take us bottom fishing 20-30 miles offshore when the opportunity presents itself.

Spoke with a good friend who is a Yamaha mechanic in Florida as well as a local surveyor. Both independently made the following statements "there is rot somewhere in a Grady that old" and "all Gradys have moisture issues - it's not a matter of if but how much."

I'd really like to get down the skinny on this. I'm obviously talking to a bunch of Grady owners so I know there will be bias but just getting off the phone with a surveyor (who appears quite reputable) he has all but scared me away from even looking at this brand.

Lets hear it.
 
The Gulfstreams of that era are less likely to have moisture issues due to the transom design. Get a survey and decide from there.
 
fordfisherman said:
The Gulfstreams of that era are less likely to have moisture issues due to the transom design. Get a survey and decide from there.
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Ok, that's what I'm gathering. 1998 on seems to be less of an issue. I'll definitely get a survey. Just took a look at your boat today (1996 248 voyager). I have to say I was shocked at how bit it really was once I walked up to it! Unfortunately, it had been neglected and was in very poor condition. Poor guy will have to pay someone to haul it off.
 
I would agree with the above statement about how some models will have more of an issue than others will. Unless the boat has damage to it, I imagine that boats like the 228 Seafarer and 232 Gulfstream with their enclosed transom and transom bracket on them are going to have considerably less, or possibly even no, water intrusion to them at all. Comparatively, other models that have the bang cap/plate on them, especially when it is brittle, damaged or missing, is likely going to have considerably more water intrusion to them. But also as mentioned above, and as I always recommend doing, get an inspection/survey done on any boat that you are considering purchasing.
 
For any boat of that age, Grady or not, there will be moisture. That said, it becomes a case of how well that particular hull was cared for and maintained. In many cases, the moisture issue is overstated hype from THT, but there is a bit of truth to it. Do you due diligence on the boat you are interested in, and if your initial inspection looks good, get it surveyed. Most important piece of advice - do not be afraid to walk away from any boat.
 
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Appreciate the transparency here. I guess the next logical thought is if any boat of that age has some degree of moisture in the wood - is some degree of moisture acceptable? (or not).
 
like said above, non-bracket gradys were the ones known for the moisture issues. the aluminum cap on the transom would deteriorate and let moisture in. i think it was1998 that grady switched greenwood xl for the transom (pretty sure the stringers, too). it is much more rot resistant. they didnt go wood free until mid 2010s. your surveyor can guide you on acceptable moisture levels.

i will offer some uncommon advice, dont be afraid to pick up a boat with a bad transom. you can likely get the boat for more of a discount than it would cost to get it repaired, and do so with coosa instead of wood.
 
My 2003 gulfstream with bracket needed the transom replaced. Very clean boat but transom was shot.
 
Mustang65fbk said:
So what was the culprit behind the transom needing to be replaced?
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Not really sure why? I noticed motor nuts and washers were smashed into the inside of transom and bounce test flexed it. Had an 89 bracketed,93 bracketed,94,the 03 bracketed and a 96. 03 is the only one I owned with a bad transom.
 
rpnserv said:
Not really sure why? I noticed motor nuts and washers were smashed into the inside of transom and bounce test flexed it. Had an 89 bracketed,93 bracketed,94,the 03 bracketed and a 96. 03 is the only one I owned with a bad transom.
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grady.jpg
 
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