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2008 Everglades 240cc vs 2008 Grady White 257 Advance...which would you pick?
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2008 Everglades 240cc vs 2008 Grady White 257 Advance...which would you pick?
Hi everyone, first time poster but long time lurker of the forums here. I'm finally on the verge of buying a boat and have it narrowed to an Everglades 240cc and Grady White 257 Advance. Both are brand new 2008 models. I really like both boats, each has its pluses and minuses but I would be very happy with either one. The boats I am looking at are similarly optioned with the differences being the Grady has a canvas T-Top with a Yamaha 350 outboard vs. the Everglades fiberglass T-Top and twin Honda 150's. The Everglades also has a retractable windshield which I like.
Both boats seem to have excellent fit and finish and the feel of the materials used throughout is high quality. Pricing is very similar between the boats also so that is not a factor. I am leaning towards the Everglades as it has all the features of the Grady and then some but am curious to see how others view these 2 boats. The boat I buy will be used in the Tampa Bay area, fishing the bay and trolling the skyway area, some gulf fishing/trolling and flats fishing if possible. It will also be used for general cruising with friends so ride and interior comfort are important also. If you were spending your dollars on one of these boats, which one would you buy?
Here are links to each boat model to freshen your memory of these boats.
Is the Everglades the 240cc or the 250cc? If it is the 250 I feel it will be a little on the underpowered side. If you are going very far offshore I would not get the single.
Both are great boats. Can't comment on the ride, but they should be about the same in the ocean. Not an issue for your bay/flats needs.
Everglades is "unsinkable" and is FULL of family features for the cruising you mention. I like the dual OB also.
Grady just changed the 257 to split bow seating this year. Is this the layout of the boat your looking at?
For me, I think your instinct is right....
BTW, for the price these two ask you could probably get a lot more boat (26'ish) from other manufacturers. (just adding to your stress i know)
Have fun picking
P.S.: The 240cc and 250cc is the same boat (name change in 08), I think rotodriver is thinking of the 243. Low to mid 40's wot is what you'll see with the twin BF150's
If I am reading the specs correctly, there is about a 1,000lb difference in the boats. The Everglades being heavier and twin 150's on a 5,000 lb boat would be a concern for me. I would think the Grady w/ a single 350 would be a very nice set up. It doesn't sound like you are going to be far offshore (if you are, then definitley twins) and the reliability of modern engines offset by less maintenace of a single sways me to the singel engine boat
RG, I sell Everglades. Both are fine boats. GW has a reputation for having among the best customer service in the industry, certainly a plus. The 240cc, rebadged as the 250cc, Is a considerably bigger boat than the GW. 9'3" beam as opposed to a narrow 8'6" on the GW. The 240cc is also about 1000lbs heavier. The boats WILL NOT have a comparable ride. Sea trial both in some slop and this will enlighten you. The 240cc does have a possible negative issue, depending on your preferences. IMO we made a mistake powering this boat with the 150's. As stated in another post, it's a low-mid forties boat. Most of our buyers prefer more speed and faster to plane. At East Coast Marine, we only used twin 200 Hondas or Yammies after the first we had with 150's. The boat is also more fuel efficient with 200's. Sea trial both boats. If you are satisfied with the performance on the 150's equipped boat and they are similarly priced, make your choice. If you are still open about alternative choices, e-mail me. I have a leftover 240cc with 200 Hondas and a rock bottom price. Good luck with your decision.
I looked at an everglades 24 not too long ago, not sure what year but either 08 or 09. Anyway I felt that the boat was not layed out well for fishing, it had a huge console on it which ate up way to much room in my opinion. Seems to me that console belonged on a 28' or larger boat. Regardless that boat left alot to be desired. Maybe the one you are looking at has a different/better layout? They are built very well just seemed like they did not manage their space very well. JMO
I'm a big fan of Grady's, but that Everglades is a good looking boat. I don't really care for the euro transom of either one, but the Everglades seems to waste less space. I would be very concerned about being underpowered though. It's a lot easier to get used to a layout that isn't perfect than it is to get used to being underpowered. If you can get the Everglades with twin 200's for anywhere near your ballpark, jump on it.
As you can tell from my signature I have an Everglades240cc...I just bought it on March 31...new...but leftover 2007...it is my dream boat...I seatrialed on a very windy day, and ran it one mile into the ocean out of Indian river inlet, DE...got only one drop of water on the windshield in 6' rolling seas going about 16 mph.
At the Baltimore boat show, the 250cc (same exact boat) with twin Yam150's was on sale for 121.9k...which was way out of my price range...if you want I can give you pricing info by PM...my boat came with twin 175 Zukes and it gets 48MPH in both directions with a full tank of fuel and a crew of 3. My guess is that twin 150's should do 44MPH. Will not plane on one engine, not even close. This is the best riding boat in its size class. I can't say enough good things about this boat. Honestly I do know of any better boat at any price is the 25' center console range. Design, finishing quality, features...this boat has it all...there are a lot of features that you may not even realize...most models apparently come with power assist...my boat came with twin steering cylinders made by Ultra-Flex. I have always liked having a larger cabin, this boats cabin is just the right size. There is enough room to walk around the cabin in either direction with touching anything. This boat is ready to have quality electronics installed...i will send you pics to help you with ideas of install...its not any one thing, its everything.
Thank you for all the input and opinions. I am concerned also about the boat being underpowered and was supposed to sea trial the twin 150's this week to see how it felt, but it is expected to rain all week in my area so I do not know yet if that will happen.
Some of you said twin 200's would get better gas mileage than twin 150's and I am curious how? Wouldn't bigger 200's just naturally burn more gas? Do you mean I would have to push the 150's harder (more rpms) to reach a given speed thus burning more gas?
Eddie Everglades- is your 2008 new with warranty, etc. How bottom is rock bottom?
Hey buddy, I already sold you one Everglades!! Are you ready for another? Yes, the 240cc I have is new with full warranty on boat and motors. E-mail or call me and I'll give you the bottom line.
Some of you said twin 200's would get better gas mileage than twin 150's and I am curious how? Wouldn't bigger 200's just naturally burn more gas? Do you mean I would have to push the 150's harder (more rpms) to reach a given speed thus burning more gas?
You nailed it.
Where are you located, RG? Call or e-mail me. You won't regret it. I have your boat.
2008 Everglades 240cc vs 2008 Grady White 257 Advance...which would you pick? 
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