Thought about the needs/wants, now which 22-26 walkaround boat?

[Housecall]

This forum is fantastic for helping someone decide which boats to put on their “short list”, but there is lots of information that is not critical to MY decision making process. In fact, lots of the info is causing me “paralysis analysis!” In order to help me select my next boat, I have tried to evaluate the most important criteria for my boating needs.

Specifically, I will be spending 85% of the time fishing near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in fairly good weather (at least when I start!). I mostly drift, troll, or anchor fish (very little casting). Usually I fish with 1-3 friends, but occasionally alone. The other 15% will be cruising, tubing or other family activities in protected waters. Since the water conditions usually dictate my top speed (and I’m rarely more than 15 miles from my home base), WOT is not a huge issue for me. Also, twin engines are not a critical safety feature since I will almost always be within site of land (and Sea Tow!). My boat will be in dry storage year round.

The reliability and quiet of 4-stroke outboards is important but not absolutely critical. The boat should be as maintenance-free as possible (I know, I know!) since I am not much of a handyman. I have owned 2 boats (2002 18’ McKee Craft Dual Console with a 140hp Johnson 4 stroke, and a 1985 SeaRay 260 Sundancer) but am currently boatless.

I will test ride my choice extensively and get a survey before I purchase. I want to spend under $50K for a gently used boat that already has electronics. Since the actual cost of my boat (excluding ongoing expenses) = (the price I pay when I buy) - (the price I pay when I sell), I would like to consider resale value and resale ease in my area of the country (SE Va).

Having read most of the threads regarding the pros and cons of the different brands, styles, models, configurations, power choices, I have the following ideas:

Higher Initial Price: Grady White 232 Gulfstream, Pursuit 2470 Walkaround, Parker 2310 or 2510 Walkaround, Scout 242 Abaco

Lower Initial Price: Aquasport Explorer 245, Triton 2486, Seaswirl 2301 Walkaround OB, Sea Pro 238 or 255 WA

The higher initial price brands and boats will give me more “peace of mind” regarding the quality of the boat’s features and ease in reselling it when that inevitable day arises.

The lower initial price boats will give my bank account some “peace of mind” and would probably be fine for my needs.

With all of this information, I know the Hull Truth members can help me really narrow my choices. Thanks in advance.

Joe

[troll]

I recommend the upper tier boats. They cost more upfront but when it comes time to sell or trade up, the TCO will be more favorable due to less depreciation. You will also enjoy the higher quality, features, etc.

I like the GW Gulfstream. With a 9-3 beam it has lots of room for this size range. With a pair of F150s this would be a sweet rig. I believe a F250 would also work. The Pursuit would be my next choice. The best way to get a good comparison is at a boat show where you can see all of the models at the same time. You may also consider a sea trial when you narrow it down to two models.

[troll]

I recommend the upper tier boats. They cost more upfront but when it comes time to sell or trade up, the TCO will be more favorable due to less depreciation. You will also enjoy the higher quality, features, etc.

I like the GW Gulfstream. With a 9-3 beam it has lots of room for this size range. With a pair of F150s this would be a sweet rig. I believe a F250 would also work. The Pursuit would be my next choice. The best way to get a good comparison is at a boat show where you can see all of the models at the same time. You may also consider a sea trial when you narrow it down to two models.

[Fcal]

I don't know where you are getting price quotes, but to put Triton in the same price category as Seaswirl and Aquasport? The price I was quoted on the Grady 25ft was very close to the price I paid for my Triton 2690wa. The Triton offered much more not to mention a wider beam and a higher HP rating.
Go to some boat shows. There are alot of big ones coming up. New York, Atlantic City, and Miami. Find a couple you like and SEA TRIAL them.
Also I suggest you take a closer look at the quality put into the Triton before you knock it. I looked around for 1 1/2 yrs before making a decision, and cost wasn't a factor.
Good Luck
One other thing ! Why do people who haven't even bought the boat yet worry about selling it?

[toleary]

I have most of the same needs you have, and bought a boat a few months ago. My shortlist was the Scout, Gulfstream & Pursuit, and I ended up with the Pursuit. Hard to go wrong with any of them, but here is why I ruled out the others:

Gulfstream- really needs twins and about 300 total HP to run properly. I trailer my boat, and my tow vehicle could not handle the added weight, and I did not want the added cost and loss of range that you get with twins. Even our local dealer said the boats with a single 225 is a disapointment.

Scout- very pricy for a small, light boat. My test ride felt like a flat rock skipping over the waves. Just not enough room and seahandling ability for me (I need room for four divers plus gear). Good looking boat, very well built, but not really an offshore boat like the Grady & Pursuit.

Pursuit- Decent room, managable weight, very well built, acceptable performance with a single 225 (close to 40 MPH at WOT). I like the thing more now than when I bought it. Seemed to be better deals available on this than either the Grady or the Scout, at least out here on the West Coast where thay are not so well known.

Not familiar with the Triton, but looks good on paper and a lot people here seem to like them. No local dealer here, but I would have definitely shortlisted it if one was available. Same with Parker.

The others are not really the same level of boat, in my opinion. All may work for you, especially since you are not looking for offshore capabilities, but you should expect to suffer faster depreciation and more marketing time when you come to sell them, compared to the other boats above. May not be a big deal if you plan on keeping the boat for more than a few years, though.

In terms of resale, I think the motor you end up with will have as much impact as the hull, maybe more. In the price range you are looking in, it's probably a choice between an older 2-cycle on a better boat, or a newer 4-cycle motor on an lower quality boat. If you expect to keep the boat for a while, I'm not too sure that I would not go for the better motor over the better boat. My previous boat was a used Grady with an old 2-cycle motor, and I was never comfortable on the boat it until I replaced it with a quiet, reliable and fuel efficient 4-stroke. I'm not much of a mechanic, especially when I'm 20 miles offshore and seasick, and I would not want to ever again own a boat with a motor I did not trust.

Let us know how it goes.

Tom O

[dingbat]

Fcal - 12/27/2004 5:57 PM

The Triton offered much more not to mention a wider beam and a higher HP rating.

Acording to the Triton website the Grady is 3"wider and carires the same 400 HP rating.

[BIGnUGLY]

Check out the Grady 228 Seafarer. Huge cockpit for its size, easy to trailer, built for fishing, has the Grady name so depreciation won't be bad as long as you buy used. I have the Yamaha F225 and love it.

[Fcal]

Dingbat, I was comparing the Triton 2690wa which is actually 25'4" to the Grady 257 Advance 24'7". The 257 is only 8'6" beam with a max power of 350hp. The 2690 Triton has a 9' beam with a 400hp rating. The Grady with twin F150's was basically the same price as the Triton w twin F200's. Now in the same neighborhood was the Grady 265 Express w twin F225's which came in at $30k more than the Triton. These two Grady's were on my very short list and was seriously considering the 265, but couldn't part with the extra 30K. It is a beautiful boat, but the Triton layout better suited my needs. Besides 30k is alot of beer, bait, and fuel.

[Think Tweiss]

Since I own a 99 2470WA, I can speak from experience. The boat is great...The 225 OX66 is a rock solid engine and stronger than the 225 4 stroke....so don't shy away from a 2 stroke. Yes..With one or two on board and full tanks, I cruise at 30(4000rpm) and top speed of 40. Boat is almost unchanged since 1998 so you have a pretty wide range of years you can consider.

[Housecall]

Thanks for the responses to the post.

I didn't mean to denigrate anybody's boat, especially the Triton. It does look very nice and also higher than my price range. I don't really need a true offshore boat.

Regarding the GW Seafarer 228 vs 235...

What specifically do you like (or maybe more importantly, dislike) about these models? Is there anything else you would have added or found out you don't really use/need? Any little (or big) problems with the layouts?

I really like the look of the 228 and will test drive one in the next few weeks. It seems like a boat that can be easily handled by one person, yet can accomodate the 2 kids and spousal unit! To muddy the water, I went and saw the new Robalo 235. Sweet looking boat! I could get it new, equipped exactly the way I want for about the same as a 3 year old Grady. I know the resale would not be as good, but a 6 year motor warranty and some very nice features make it an interesting choice.

Although, there are a lot of GW Gulfstream 235s with a single 250 Yamaha 2-stroke for sale, I'm concerned that the 235 may need more HP than I want to purchase.

The Pursuit is going to be too much money, but seems to be a GREAT boat.

Thanks again for your thoughts and I'm going to keep looking, reading and riding.

Joe

[toleary]

I sold a Grady 228 WA to buy the Pursuit, and have about 500 hrs on the type. Probably the best fishing/diving day boat in it's size range, especially if you get one with a motor bracket. Amazing room in back for a 22 ft boat, good in rough water and excellent resale (took me 4 days to sell a 1990 hull with 2002 4-cycle). Plenty of room for a couple of kids below, but not really an overnight kind of boat. Only sold it because I wanted a newer boat with a real head and a little more cabin for overnight trips to the Channel Islands. In your price range, you should be able to get one with the SV2 hull design and a four cycle, which is an excellent package.

I would not be too shy about offering what you can afford on a Pursuit, either. I just bought a very well equipped 2003 with 225 4-stroke for not a whole lot more than your price range, after bringing the dealer down 25% from his asking price. The next few months are a great time to negotiate.

Tom O

[FishinHatteras]

Housecall. You say you want reliability & low cost maintenance issues? Here's your vessel:
http://www.shamrockboats.com/shamroc...cts&model=246A

[NewMoon]

Grady!

[Fcal]

FishinHatteras, I think Shamrock is a little out of his price range also. It's hard to get reliability and performance at a low price. That's usually why you pay the extra bucks.
Look around for a good used boat. Alot of bargains out there, especially now.

[turbo]

I have spent a lot of time on a Triton 2695 with twin 225 Evinrudes. The ride is very wet and harsh in any sea over 2'. Now, I have also spent some time in a Triton 2895 Center and that was a much better ride. I have only been in one 2695 WA and maybe the hull had problems or it rode bad because it was a walkaround.

[jdfnav69]

One important question. Do you plan on trailering? If so you will need to look at 8'6" beam boats or going through the hassle of getting wide load permits here in Va. Of course you could always register somewhere like NC to get around that hassle.

[Housecall]

I have no plans to ever trailer. However, if it needs work or returning to a dealership, I'm not sure how I would handle that problem. Especially with the GW Gulfstream (9'3" beam). Probably one more reason to stick with the GW Seafarer 228 or the Robalo 235.

I like the clean looks of the Shamrock, but I'm not experienced or comfortable with the inboard engine.

[Fishermanbb]

I've had both the 228 GW and the 232 (Gulfstream) GW ( 10 total - currently the 33 Express)......They are great boats.....With the Gulfstream I would say be careful going with just the single screw.....Here's why: It's NOT the power...The 225 or 250 will give you enough juice for what you are doing....BUT, the handling with the single screw on the grady bracket is a challenge because the engine is so far back. Mine had twins but I've handled a few with singles and it can be challenging - You can do it but you'll be fighting the boat in the wind. Now, with twins it is an AWESOME package - Simply the "biggest" feeling 23 footer around - More like a 25 ft. boat than a 23 ft. boat. The 228 Seafarer is also an awesome boat and for what it sounds like you are doing may be the perfect choice. throw an F225 on that and you'll have a great package (I'd get it with the bracket (228G) and the hartop. These are great boats and they do cost more....But they hold their value better than anything it their class so when you are ready to move up there is less pain...In fact, I've found that the total cost of ownership is not much more than some of the less expensive (But still perfectly nice) boats. Most times the additional cost I've incurred has been related to the interest expense on the price difference. Good luck!

[FishinWuf]

Call me biased, but I'm partial to the Parker 2310.* Has the build quality and ride, but maybe not the showy fit & finish of GW/Pursuit, etc.* Is much larger than the 22 GW.* I'll also admit that it will prob. not have the re-sale of a GW or Pursuit.

Regarding the 235 Robalo, it looks good in the showroom.* Go ride one and see what you think then.* Also, be sure to read this thread, including the comments from R235 owner "Hinmo".* http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=44719&start=1&posts=18

[jwas1]

This past summer I sold my Grady 232 and bought a Parker 2510 MV. The Grady had a 250 carbureted Yamaha and was a little underpowered as others have said. I fish from the Rappahannock down to Plantation Light similar to where and how you fish. With the modified vee, the F225 is plenty of power. 40mph wot. The mod vee is best for slow trolling for rockfish and drifting for flounder or anchored. Not as good a ride as the Grady when it gets snotty, but slow down a little and use the trim tabs and it is fine. New Parker is about 25K less than new 232. You should do well with either. Cockpit on Grady is 55sq ft! Good luck.