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Random Quote: It'll make sense when it happens. . .
I own a 222 and regularly fish on a 226. The 226 I fish on is powered by a 225hp SWSII which is more than enough power. The boat is ver very well equipped to fish both inshore and offshore. We regularly run the 226 40-50 miles offshore and with the 225hp we cruise at 25-28mph and tops out around 42mph. Sorry I don't have more info for the 226 w/a 200 but I think that should be ample power. All in all the 226 is a great boat but I feel that the fish boxes are a little small.
I have an older Seafarer with a 225 Yamaha Saltwater series II, it pushes the boat along pretty well, I would imagine a 200 would work alright but I always figure that just because you have the extra horses dosn't mean you have to use them, they do come in handy every once in a while.
I have a 01 228 seafarer which I love. The boat has 49 square feet of fishing space and can fish 3-4 guys without a problem. My boat has a 200 yamaha hpdi and I cruise at 30 mph @ 4000rpms which is fast enough for me. It will handle 3-4 footers with ease. The boat has a soft ride and does not pound..You wont be sorry owning this boat.
Can't say I own one but I know somebody with one. I was looking for a 22' cuddy and the grady 226 seems to blow everyone else away. The cockpit is huge. The new Hydrasport 2200 VX doesn't even compare. Smaller cockpit, aft jump sits made for 8 year olds, and a walk around that Nicole Richie couldn't get around. The grady w/a is really quite big and usable. It sure seems to have little competition.
I have a 2003 Seafarer 226 with a Yamaha F225 on the transom. I really like it alot.
PROS:
Rides very well. Has alot of fishing space. Has a ton of storage. Coolers hold ice very well. Stainless steel components seem top of the line. Love the tow rails. Very easy access to virtually everything. Batteries are a breeze to remove. Big anchor locker. Water does not back up onto deck through scuppers. Grab handles everywhere. Factory canvas is very good quality. And many more things I could say that I like about the boat.
CONS:
One thing broke after 218 hours. That being a small trim strip behind the passenger seat. Not very noticable though, and it doesn't really bother me. Wiring could be neater. With full tank of fuel, dual batteries, coolers full, and loaded with exception (basically, everything that would be on board except passengers when your heading out for the day), the thru hull fittls for the scuppers sit 1/2 way below the water line. But with that said, with passengers on board, the floor drains work very well and water never backs up onto the deck.
I would think a 200 2 stroke would be adequate on that boat. As far as 4 stroke is concerned, I would not wany anything less than the F225.
Brad
__________________ Grady White SeaFarer 226 w/Yamaha F225 - SOLD
I had an '88 228G with a 225 evinrude. The one thing you had to love about it, was the cockpit was as big as your living room, 4 guys and everybody had room.
No i currently i am running a 330 TE Worldcat wouldn't trade the boat for anything. My father is looking at a boat or boats that is. I am tring to get to get a Grady. He likes Sea fox and Sea Hunts because of the price diffence. The motor isn't that big a deal he will not be going very fast with his.
There is a lot of talk about the engine cut-out and people don't like it - we have only had water come through twice and both times the splash guard was up so no water got in the boat.
We have the factory installed T-Top and it is worth the money IMO.
The only time we get wet in the boat is when running with the wind at your side.
Even with the 225 2 stroke, it is not a speed demon by any means we top out at about 40 MPH - I think the 200 HP would be fine for everyday use.
We don't have trim tabs, but I have heard the boat is better with them - we do encounter some lean at times and the tabs would certainly help.
The toe rails in the back are my favorite part of the boat - makes it much easier on rough days.
I have 100% confidence in the boat and cannot say enough good things about it.
I own a 2002 Tournament 223 with an F225 on it. This boat is roughly 500 lbs lighter then the 226 and tops out at 43 mph with the 225. I definitely agree with Brad1 regarding four stroke power. If I was re-powering my boat, I'd be seriously considering 250 hp which is the maximum hp rating for this hull. Great boat though, I've been very happy with mine.
I have a 228 with a OX66/225 and I like the boat alot.You should be OK with a 200 hp engine,but you won`t break any speed records,but neither do I.If you are serious about buying this boat I would suggest trim tabs if they are not already on it.My opinion is Grady is in a class by it`s self on these 22` boats.
I have a 1997 226 w/ a 200 carbed Yamaha. The 200 is fine for inshore fishing--cruises at 27 mph at 4000 rpm and tops out at 41 mph at 5400 rpm. That's running w/ full gas, hardtop, and curtains.
For off-shore runs, I think tabs are mandatory, both to keep the boat level in cross-winds and to keep the bow down when running into seas to minimize pounding. Also, when I repower, I'll go with more horses, 225 or 250. When running off-shore, I have trouble keeping up w/ the fleet (w/o running > 4000 rpm, which would increase fuel usage and decrease range),which cruises at ~30 mph. Also, the boat tends to bog down on the back of swells off-shore, to the extent that I have to turn off the swell to regain planing speed. More power would minimize that, I understand.
The 226 is a good fishing boat, as others have said. Tremendous deck area for fighting fish, gaffing, etc.
200 HPDI is fine for the 226. A local buddy of mine here has the 226 w/ 200HPDI (THT name parthery). We've run our boats side by side at WOT and both were about the same top speed. I think the difference is the lower weight of the 226/engine combo compared to my 228 with a F225. It is definitely a good match for the 226 - economical and about the same mpg as the F225. Only difference favoring F225 is it IS a little quieter, esp at idle, and of course there's no oil tank to fill whe you add gas. I'd definitely recommend the 226/200HPDI combo as a boat to consider.
Owned one with a 225 motor, 200 should be OK for a fishing load (3-4 guys with gear), but not enough if you use the boat for diving four guys or carry a lot of extra gear. Agree with everyone else that for it's size it's a roomy, good running boat.
Yeah the 33 is Awesome i love it and wouldn't ever want anything else! Anyway's thanks for everyones opinion and experience with this boat. My father bought the 226 GW Seafarer. I really liked the boat he is going to love it.
Grady-White 226 Seafarer 
