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I have been a 22 seafarer owner since 91 and love the boat but went looking at GW and test rode a 28 sailfish. It was a very hard ride. Worse than my 22 footer. I looked in the bilge area and a one year old boat had a peeling finish and I didn;t like the fact that there was so much caulking for sealing joints. I looked at new Hydra Sports and was shocked at the low prices and nice design and hardware. It's not a boat for me because they don't offer a 28-30 model but I was impressed with the bang for the buck. A new 25 footer was 75,000. The same boat in a GW was over 130,000? You could almost buy two boats for the price of one. Keep one home and the other at a vacation spot....
I've got a 1988 grady trophy Pro and although I love the layout of the boat and the handling I will never have another due to the construction. had some soft spots in the deck so had it redone last year. when the shop got in there and started looking at the stringers they were totally shot, along w/the transom. If built properly there wouldn't have been a problem. It was sinful the way this thing was put together, exposed wood everywhere, small pieces scabbed in where they tried to correct for wrong measurements. Looked like they gave some epoxy and glass mat to a monkey and said "go at it." $30,000 later I've got a boat built like a brick outhouse that should last damn near forever. could 've been done like this the first time with no extra cost to grady if they took the time to measure correctly and pay attention to where they were throwing the epoxy around.
I've got a 1988 grady trophy Pro and although I love the layout of the boat and the handling I will never have another due to the construction. had some soft spots in the deck so had it redone last year. when the shop got in there and started looking at the stringers they were totally shot, along w/the transom. If built properly there wouldn't have been a problem. It was sinful the way this thing was put together, exposed wood everywhere, small pieces scabbed in where they tried to correct for wrong measurements. Looked like they gave some epoxy and glass mat to a monkey and said "go at it." $30,000 later I've got a boat built like a brick outhouse that should last damn near forever. could 've been done like this the first time with no extra cost to grady if they took the time to measure correctly and pay attention to where they were throwing the epoxy around.
wow
why would you drop 30K for repairs on a 22 year old boat
I own a HS 2390 vector, in my opinion there are no other HS lines worth even looking at, forget the others. I fish occaisionally on a buddy's GW 22. Not a real apples to apples comparison but close. My HS rides much better, is roomier and is overall a much better fishing platform. The GW has better fit and finish and will cost more upfront, has a cute set of cushions and is a great boat to take out and drink beer on.
If your planning to fish outside I would go with the HS, if you do more cruising around then go with the GW but you will pay much more the the GW and in my opinion your paying for the name. Well built boats but not a good value in my opinion.
Will pound your teeth out? Maybe the 20' model, but, the average deadrise on a Grady's waterline entry point is about 60 degrees.
dont care if its 90 degrees, the few ive been on will have you calling your chiropractor before you get tied back good at the docks..... they were both 24 ft......just mho....
I have a 2390 Vector and have been on a 23 Grady Gulfstream a couple times. The Gulsfstream seems huge compared to the Vector, and the cabin is roomy and comfortable. The HS fishes out at the canyons with its single all the time, but the gulfstream couldn't make the run, because of fuel limitations. For a family boat, I'd go with the Grady; for fishing, I'd go with the HS.
ElsyeM, spent the money to fix it because it has sentimental value and has been very well taken care of. doesn't look more than a couple of years old and I really like the layout of the boat. the repairs, (or rebuild) has given me an overbuilt, bulletproof boat that should last me the rest of my fishing career if I wish. If I ever do buy another boat it will probably be a Yellowfin and rot will definitely not be a problem.
Had a GW 192 and 204. Now have a HS 2000 Vector. Transom was soggy and floors were soft on the GW. If you're buying used, get a survey. Do a sea trial on both. GW still uses wood coring, HS doesn't. The 20' GW's have 80 gal's of fuel, my HS has 115. GW transom thickness 2.5", HS 3", probably because my HS at 20' was built for twin 115's. Love my pop-up cleats. GW doesn't offer them. Get a survey if you're buying used. Double clamped hose connections on the HS and bronze thru hulls too. GW single clamps and SS thru hulls. Oh, forgot to mention, if you're buying used, get a survey, because older GW's probably have wet wood somewhere.
__________________ 2000 Hydra-Sports Vector Model 2000
2000 Johnson Ocean Pro 200hp
Grady-White coastal fishing boats, manufactured in Greenville, NC, "has received the top ranking in customer satisfaction in every third-party independent study ever done in the marine industry." They have won eight consecutive Customer Satisfaction awards from J.D. Powers and Associates and seven NMMA CSI awards. Grady-White has carved a niche in the marine industry with a line of coastal fishing boats that are ranked first in the Coastal Fishing segment of the 2009 J.D. Power and Associates Boat Competitive Study.
I love my hydra sports 25' vector. We launched off a few waves saturday uninentionally and when she came back down, nothing shook at all, just a solid re entry. Not going to say it was like butter but it was definately not bad at all. When we were looking at boats we didn't even bother seriously considering grady white, their price tag is a joke. I am sure the quality is there but a boat in that size is not worth that much money to us. Sea trial them and let your gut decide.
To continue with a little more detail from my previous post, I actually enjoyed both my '84 192 and then my '92 204. The rides were nice near shore, they were both roomy, and I felt proud to own them when others looked at me and my family in it.
The primary issue I had with my 192 was blistering, everywhere. Also a soft spot where someone had removed the VRO oil tank and never filled the screw holes, so when I walked back to the port side transom, the flooring got soft. Also, when I replaced the fuel tank, there was decaying plywood in the bilge clogging the drain tubes from the forward areas. The plywood kept coming too, so the wood wasn't completely encapsulated.
The 204's transom drained/dripped stinky smelly brown water for days when I went to replace the transponder for a new FF. Both previous owners hadn't performed regular care like sealing or resealing openings into the wood core. I didn't get surveys done either time. Of course both instances were learning experiences for me and taught me a lesson that I used with this purchase a few years ago.
Since you mentioned that you're considering used, get a survey. My current beef with Grady is they're still using wood for coring. With better, longer lasting materials available these days, I'd think for the prices they charge, Grady would have been the first to utilize poured ceramic fiber transoms and balsa. Since Grady still uses wood, the purchase of a used Grady buys their expensive name and quality, but also the previous owners care. With this weakness that all Grady built boats have, or any used boat for that matter,
Get a survey.
As for the HS, no cracking anywhere, no wood rot, wider beam, more fuel capacity,12% heavier, better materials and have had zero issues for three years now with anything.
__________________ 2000 Hydra-Sports Vector Model 2000
2000 Johnson Ocean Pro 200hp
Bought a 2000 Grady White Gulfstream 232 this past spring and was nothing but impressed. Every inch of this boat lived up to what I thought the Grady name could deliver. Rock-solid/flawless hull, took everything I threw at her, and i'm still discovering storage spots. I was very surprised at the few times we experienced pounding and there was absolutely no rattling of any kind. We took her out 3-4 times a week, usually 20-30 miles fishing for tuna/stripers/blues every time or pulling our lobster pots. A buddy at my marina charters a 2390 vector and I've been out on it twice. He fishes the same spots as we do and has taken it to the canyons with clients. Seems like a very solid boat and fishes well, but not the dryest of rides. Wouldn't be my choice of boat if I was going to start a charter but it seems to be working out for him. My overall feeling is that Grady's are a better built boat and should be the choice if it's within your budget. They satisfy the harcore fisherman and his wife and kids.
Big picture......it's a win/win if you're able to go out on either make summer after summer.
...Tight lines...
Had a GW 192 and 204. Now have a HS 2000 Vector. Transom was soggy and floors were soft on the GW. If you're buying used, get a survey. Do a sea trial on both. GW still uses wood coring, HS doesn't. The 20' GW's have 80 gal's of fuel, my HS has 115. GW transom thickness 2.5", HS 3", probably because my HS at 20' was built for twin 115's. Love my pop-up cleats. GW doesn't offer them. Get a survey if you're buying used. Double clamped hose connections on the HS and bronze thru hulls too. GW single clamps and SS thru hulls. Oh, forgot to mention, if you're buying used, get a survey, because older GW's probably have wet wood somewhere.
That 2000CC Vector is probably the best kept secret that I know of in the 19-21' range. 22* deadrise, dry, heavy, solid, and stable. Can handle the weight of a V6 4 stroke no problem, or light twins for that matter. Walk-in console to boot. Why HS discontinued that model is beyond me, atleast they brought it back last year...even though they've made some changes.
__________________ Boatless again...
Key Largo 186CC/Yam 90 - Sold
Pro-Line 20 Walk/175 EFI Merc - Sold
Classic Aquasport 200WA/Evindrude 225 - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2000CC Vector/Honda BF225 - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2200WA Vector/Yam F115's - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2400CC Vector/150 HPDI's - Sold
Dusky 256/Honda BF150's - Sold
Twin Vee 26CC/140 Zukes - Sold
31' Fountain CC Open/Opti 250XS's - Sold
That 2000CC Vector is probably the best kept secret that I know of in the 19-21' range. 22* deadrise, dry, heavy, solid, and stable. Can handle the weight of a V6 4 stroke no problem, or light twins for that matter. Walk-in console to boot. Why HS discontinued that model is beyond me, atleast they brought it back last year...even though they've made some changes.
Actually, that exact hull has lived on as the 202DC. Get it while you can. I did.
Hey, Sparky good to see you again off the hydra-sports forum! Have you mounted that kicker yet?
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