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OK, I've narrowed it down, and am planning to buy a new dual console - either the Grady White Tournament 22' or the Boston Whaler Ventura 21'. I'm looking at the boat with four-stroke 200hp, ski pylon, raw water washdown, hydraulic steering, and trim tabs. I have researched every web page I can find, read all the threads, and would like your opinions on some specific questions:
1. Between the two, which would you prefer, and why?
2. Which would give the better discount off MSRP? What discount could I expect for each? (I have gotten an 18% discount offer from a Grady dealer.) What general price should I expect to pay, based on the experiences of those of you who have bought these boats?
3. I have talked to one dealer of both Gradys and Whalers, and he really was pushing me toward the Grady. Do dealers get a better deal from Grady? Was he going to make more on a Grady deal than a Whaler deal, or should I believe him that the Grady is a better boat?
4. Which would pull a skier better?
5. Which would family fish better?
6. Which would give the better/drier ride in chop in the Great Lakes waters?
7. Which would stand up better - we plan to keep the boat for at least 10 years.
8. Which offers the better canvas?
Thanks for your help. I must say, at the start, that I have found Grady dealers a little arrogant in the dealing aspect "Pay our price or go somewhere else" and then you run into the dealer exclusive area thing that was discussed in other threads. Has anyone found this?
Anyone have a Whaler or Grady dealer who will strike a good, honest (ha-ha) deal?
I think the two boats are so comparable that you should decide which layout you prefer. Although both boats have substantial flotation, the Whaler appears to have more as Whaler claims level flotation.
The Whaler is 400+lbs heavier, so its performance should be less than the GW with the same engine. Personally, I would go with the 225 four stroke whichever boat you get. The weight also may be a factor for towing.
The Whaler has a Euro-transom with a transom door. It will be easier to get in and out of when the family is skiing/tubing.
A great dealer that has fair prices, that is not arrogant, and that handles both GW and Whalers is Taylor Marine Center in Delaware. Their phone is 302-422-9177.
I take it you are looking at new boats. If not, note that the Grady didn't have a head until this year.
I think Grady has better canvas, although I never compared the two. Both are very fishable and should stand up about the same.
My personal preference is the Grady based on its layout. I also like Grady's fishboxes over the in-floor ones on the Whaler.
The good news is that you will be very happy with either.
The Grady has a bigger cockpit/smaller bow area than the Whaler due in large part to the Whaler's Euro-transom (I prefer the bigger cockpit). I saw a Whaler 21 Ventura with a passenger side chair rather than the back-to-back seating, and it really opened up the boat.
The Whaler has a foldaway bench seat in the rear instead of the two rear corner seats. I prefer the bench and you can put it out of the way when you have no rear seat passengers (in my case, most of the time).
If you call Taylor Marine, ask about the 22' Glacier Bay catamaran dual console. I know you aren't looking at it, but it might make an interesting point of reference for comparing features (they carry GBs). http://www.taylormarinecenter.com/
[This message was edited by Frank007 on 10-04-02 at 12:09 PM.]
Frank007, you are the man. Thanks a lot. That is good info, and I will check out Taylor Marine. What kind of discount should I push for off of MSRP? Will I get a better deal on the Whaler, or the Grady?
For my part, the boats are so similar, that I'll take the better deal. I think the fit and finish are better on the Grady, but I'll take care of the boat and if there's a significant difference in the amount they'll come off, then I'll take the better deal.
People generally think 12-15% off list is good, and you are doing pretty well to get 20% off, for a current boat in normal circumstances. My experience with Whalers and Gradys (limited, although I spent a lot of time shopping them last year) is that they are desirable enough so that you are not going to get the high end of that range. Also, you get a lot of dealer service from Grady dealers so they will have more costs to cover. I have seen Whalers at SeaRay dealers offered at 9-10% off.
I think you should decide what a fair price for the boat is off list and then work with the dealer to get there. Perhaps they won't drop the price as readily as throw in extras for free to close a deal.
I don't know if you can get a better deal on one or the other. Why not just ask the dealer? Last year Whaler was doing some nominal dealing from the factory (offering various packages free or $1500 off on particular weekends). I don't know if that is still occurring.
If you get a dealer selling both, why not ask them to compare the two boats and tell you why you should pay $X for one and $Y for the other?
I'm not going to be much help, but here is what I have found. Go to goboatingamerica.com, and they have a listing of what they say is the MSRP for new boats. I the case of Grady Whites, that is the hull price, less the motor. goboatingamerica does not have new motor prices, but I think you can get the price of the motor you want fairly easily. Then shop around and figure out the prices of the options you want, and voila!, you have the starting price.
I'm looking at Boston Whalers and Grady Whites also, and have about the same problem as marvfan. The dealer where I will be using the boat really, believe it or not, does not seem eager to sell a boat. Not very responsive, not very friendly, and seemingly pretty impatient with a first-time buyer.
I know dealers must get a lot of people wasting their time, but heck, I want to spend money there. The problem with Gradys, I have found, is that their dealers are reluctant to talk with you (or won't at all) if you are not in their "footprint," so if you have a non-responsive dealer, you're just out of luck.
Ah, but the process is the fun, isn't it? That's good info from Frank - I would guess in today's climate, we might be able to get 15-18% off a Grady or Whaler.
Are you up in that area -Upstate NY ?....in any event there is a GW dealer close to Rt 81 and the Canadian border -@Fishers Landing I have a point of contact at that dealership who will help you out- if you are interested...send me a note.
MarFran:
FWIW both are great boats, IMHO your issues will tend to arise out of your 'powerplant' (routine maintenance/costs, where is the servicing dealer, can you locate sasified 'service' customers, warranty coverage periods, maybe your ability at troubleshooting mech issues-diy?, etc.)...in sum I would more heavily base your decision process based upon the 'powerplant'....
I tried to send you an email, but it got returned. I'll try again - thanks.
Are you in the TI area? I would love to have a contact at HChalks, which I assume is the dealer you are talking about. Since I'll be using the boat in that area, I would sure prefer to buy from a local dealer, but if I can get a much better price - like $4500 off as a fellow on another thread mentioned - then ....
As I said on another thread, if you review the National Marine Manufacturers Assn site, you find that boat sales have been down significantly for the past year. I think that means there should be some good deals out there, but the bad news is that some manufacturers/dealers are going to be going out of business. As a result, maybe we need to pay a couple of hundred more to the local dealer if the sale will help keep him in business, but not a couple of thousand.
Plus, as the economy continues to tank, I think we will see some great almost-new used boats hitting the market.
grady 223/5 Tournament and Whaler Ventura 210 
