New Grady White 25' CC

[flyfisher76]

Hi everyone,

I'm completely new to this forum and have found many of your posts interesting. I currently live in Washington State but grew up in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay outside of Annapolis and probably spent more time on boats than I did in a car when I lived there. I'm in the military and am getting transferred back to the Maryland/DC area this spring. I'm thinking about purchasing my first boat so that I can enjoy being on the Bay again with my family while also doing as much fly fishing as I possibly can! I'm looking at purchasing a Grady White Advance 257 CC so that I can have a boat that is very fishable, versatile, easy to handle by myself, and suitable for both Bay and some off-shore use when I want to go fly fishing out in the Atlantic off the Maryland/Virginia coast.

I'd like to get the thoughts of those who have owned or currently own one of these boats......opinions of the boat, what a fair price is for a nicely equipped GW 257 Advance, recommendations on power sources (dual vs. single), etc. For years GW has built some of the best boats on the market, but I'd like to hear some opinons of those who own one or a similar boat since I have been out of the boating market for about 10 years since I have been in the military. Thanks everyone! Any and all advice/opinions are appreciated!

Mike

[Drifter]

Welcome aboard.

The threads on this link might be helpful:

http://www.thehulltruth.com/search/q...t=&custom-end=

[captainvfr]

I had a 247 Advance for many years. Similar hull, nice ride and GW guality is excellent. Look for a 26 Regulator first and compare. The Regulator may be more money, however, the ride will be worth it.

[flyfisher76]

Thanks guys....the threads were great that you recommended. I am also looking at the Regulators and Contenders. My father owns a Grady Tournament 225 that he got from Taylor Marine in Delaware a few years ago....he's very picky about boats and LOVES his GW! That's one of the main reasons I am so drawn to them....I strongly believe in paying for quality and not quantity with boats. A boat that is uncomfortable and not built well is a boat that will not be used and simply collect barnicles. I will bouncing back and forth between assignments in Washington, DC and the Seattle area (where I'm at now)....so we need something is versatile and well built to handle a variety of conditions. I do need the boat to be particularly well layed out for fly fishing....nice casting platforms, good stability while not on the move, reliable power so I can get to the places I want to go with reliability. It will be used for everything from fishing for salmon in the Puget Sound to stripers on the Chesapeake to tuna off the coast of Maryland/Virginia. I'm kind of coming to the conclusion that with boats like GW, Contender, and Regulator you just can't go wrong...they are all great in their own way!

[mistymorn]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind...the GW is a great choice...you will be pleased with a Grady White.....

[flyfisher76]

I know your love yours!!!.....think you would do some fishing we me Dad??

[mistymorn]

absolutly, I would be honored

[miike]

there was a THT member selling a newer marlin 30 in edmonds for 100k. im sure you know jacobsens is the seattle grady dealer, they sometimes have a couple used boats. also master marine in mount vernon has a 1988 sailfish 25 for 30k but it needs new motors and canvas and electronics. i dont see many CCs over 20ft on puget sound. i think youll find the market in washington to have WAs and pilothouses more than CCs. boats usually are cheaper on the east coast.

mike

[flyfisher76]

Thanks Miike....I have talked with Jacobsens but it seems that they don't carry much in the CC's. You are dead on....they said that there are not many CC's sold on the west coast and the best sellers are the walk-a-bouts. Based on timing and the better deals on the east coast, I'm going to wait until I get back east to make this purchase. So right now, I'm just trying to become as informed as possible so I make the best choice....thanks for your post.

[PSW]

Fly the local IMC Pursuit dealer just took a 24 Pursuit Center Console in as a brokered boat. The owner already purchased his other boat from IMC so I know he is motivated. If you are still in the Seattle area you may want to take a look at it. the boat is up on their website islandsmarinecenter.com The cheesy seats in the front should come out easy. Not sure if a kicker is of interest for the type of fishing you do either. The boat was used on the Colombia river in Oregon and the owner just purchased a 3100 Pursuit with inboards.

[flyfisher76]

I found it....thanks for the heads up. I hadn't considered Pursuit's, but know that the boats are high quality...is the company still partnered with Tiara? How do you like your Pursuit? How's the ride? How would you compare it to a GW or Reg?

[PSW]

Fly, look under boats for sale. It is a 2003 and is listed just above the glut of Sea Sports they have for sale. Looks like a nice boat and most the river fishing gear should come off easy.

[derekd]

The GW 257 looks like a great boat. I'm actually looking to upgrade from my 222 to either a used 247 or 257. The 257 is laid out nearly identical to the 222 but I'd like to upgrade to a boat with twin engines (want to spend more time offshore). My 222 has been great in the bay and served its purpose well on the occassional offshore trip. The boat has easily handled 4-5' seas and I'm sure the 257 would be just as good. If your interested in a 222 take a look in the for sale section, it may be great for your needs. Good luck with your search.

[delmar]

i could be wrong but i think most of the gradys have a 20 deg deadrise which in general will give a better fuel effeciency but a little less forgiving ride than a deeper v. something to consider. i have a great article somewhere about a guy who set up a grady 25 for bluefin off NC. .

[JeffGSR]

Here is some more feedback on the Advance.
http://www.greatgrady.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1166

[flyfisher76]

Thanks everyone for your input.....definately like to get as many opinions as possible from people who have owned or have experience with these boats. I'm convinced that GW are such good products that safety and reliability are never a factor....they are put together 1st class. I think when you compare boats like this its like comparing a BMW to a Mercedes....both are great and people have their own loyalties. When I get back east, I think that we need to sea-trial a few boats to see which we like the best. Keep the opinions coming if you have them though....love reading what everyone has to say.

[Lively-Lines]

I don't think you could go wrong with the Grady. There are about 3 Grady dealers in MD alone so you should have lots of choices once you get back on the East Coast.

Welcome back to The Bay!

[flyfisher76]

Thanks....can't wait to get back to my home. It's been a few years, but the Bay has always been on my mind! Can't wait to be on the waters that I know and love....

[seahornet]

Just sold a 2006 Grady White Bimini. Grady White does a good marketing job, in my opinion, they DO NOT build a quaility boat nor do they stand behind there product. I sold the boat because the dealer would not fix manufactures defects. I would look at other boat lines. I have owned regulators and there is no comparison , the regulator is a better boat and the manufacture stands behind what they build. Good Luck !

[flyfisher76]

Interesting....I have never heard of that before. It seems odd that if a boat is under warranty, that a boat company that has been in business so long with a reputation like they have would not stand behind their product....is there more to this story?