I'm looking at getting a used Grady. Does anyone own or have test driven these new hulls. It would be on boats starting 1993. Is it worth the extra money? Noticeable difference? Thanks

I bought a 2003 Grady White 257 Advance this past year and have been extremely impressed with the ride of the hull. I have been on numerous comparable size boats and haven't found a single hull I preferred the ride of. The boat is very smooth, dry and handles rough water exceptionally well I highly recommend that you take one for a test ride.

[Steve]

Have you ever been on an older Grady without the SeaV2 hull? I don't doubt Grady's handle the seas.. I've been on a 1985 Grady and I was impressed with it's ride. What I'm wondering is if the SeaV2 is even better and worth the extra cash. I would have to move from a 1988-1990 to at least a 1992.. That jump in years adds between $5K and $10K in price.. Dealers say it's two totally different rides but they don't have any late 1980's for sale.. Thanks!

I have been on an older Grady (although many years ago) with the older style hull. I remember not being overly impressed with the ride of the boat at the time. When I began looking to purchase a new boat last year, I didn't even consider a Grady as an option (I was mainly considering Regulator, Edgewater and Seacraft models). It was only at the insistence of a friend that I test drove a Grady and was really surprised at how nice the boat rode. I may not be the best person to answer your question given that it has been a long time since I rode in the older style Grady, but from what I remember, there is a discernible difference in performance.

[Steve]

Thanks for the response.. It's good to hear you like the new hull design..!

Is there anyone else out there that has a comparison they could share.. Thanks!

I own a Grady 208 with SeaV2 Hull. I prefer the ride in my boat and the hull is runs fast in slop compared to others in this size category. For instance we ran in heavy water 40 miles out and another lessor boat, a 23ft center console tucked in behind us. I catch just about everyone in my boat with my 225 Honda power. But what convinces me that my ride is good is that everyone I take out on the boat tell me how impressed they are compared to other small boats. The hull can get up on top of a 2 foot chop and FLY. My hull length obviously has limitations. My friend's 30' Marlin is fabulous and we ran it in 5-8 with occasional 10 footers, no problem. Good luck and I would go late model hull with 4-stroke power.

[Rob]

The Sea V hulls are great I have a 1995 208. Most seaworthy 20' I've been in. Definitely worth the money over the older hulls.

[Rob]

To: J. Ketchen

I'm curious as to what kind of power you have on your Grady 257 and what you think of it. We have just ordered a Grady 258. With Yamaha's delay on the F250 we ordered, we can either wait on it or spend the extra dollars to get twin F150s.

Tx, Rob

Rob,

My 257 is powered by a single Yamaha F225. A great, fuel efficient engine, but in my opinion, not quite enough power to achieve really good performance on my hull. My boat will cruise in the 32-33 mph range at 4800 rpms, which is fast enough for a lot of people. However, if you are like me and want to get places in a hurry, the 36-38 top end just isn't enough. Looking back, I wish that I purchased the boat with twin 150s. I hear that the F250 will have a little better acceleration and torque in the lower rpms, but I'm pretty sure that the 258 is heavier than the 257, so my guess is that you will get marginally better performance with the F250 that I do with the F225. If money is not your largest motivating factor, I would go with the twin 150s. I am stuck with the single engine setup, but plan to eventually repower if and when they come out with an F300. Either way, I'm sure you will love the boat. Good luck.

I've had my Grady for 4 years now. It is powered by 1197 twin Yamaha 150 (2 stroke)engines. The ride is great. It handles rough water exceptionally. I cruise at ~ 34 mph but it tops out at 46 mph @ 5400 rpm.

This is a great boat.