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Anyone have any experience with it? Since I didn't buy the 24' cruiser last year at a KILLER price (add that to stupid things I didn't do. Who was it said they would be giving those away this year??), anyway... I'm back to looking again. I saw a really nice new Grady 205 Tournament (dual console). This is a BIG 20' boat..looks more like a 22. It has a Yamaha 150 4 stroke; dealer said it tops out at 42-43 mph. I think it might need more motor just going on hull weight (2800#), but I haven't ridden it it. I'm no speed freak..if it will do 42..that seems fast enough to me. But then again..I've never met anyone who said they wish they would have gotten a smaller motor. My scout would do 48, and that was about 8-10 mph faster than I ever went.
But for just a little more $$..I can go with a 26' Chaparral SSI with the 5.7 l Volvo duoprop. I don't fish much anymore--most of my boating is limited to riding around and drinking beer. i know thats not most of you guys type of boat..but does anyone have an opinion or experience on that one? Decisions!
There is a big difference between a 20' and a 26'.* Not really an apples to apples comparison.* That said, why not look for a lightly used one thats a couple years old...
Joe: I just traded in my 208 after owning it for ten years. I really enjoyed and admired that boat. I had a 150 HPDI when I traded in. The hull is great. Can handle sloppy seas up to about 3' and stay on plane if you have trim tabs. Best part is the quality of the boat. Exceeded my expectations. 150 HPDI pushed the boat up onto plane just fine. My top end was 41 mph with full fuel. I saw 42 mph a couple of times lightly loaded. I believe the 150 four stroke would get about the same. I am very biased toward Gradys, but this is based on my experiences with them.
Joe, I rented a 20 tourney in Florida this January with a 150 yam 4 stroke and I thought that was more than enough power. I had her loaded up with 5 adults and 2 kids and we were running around 28 mph in calm water at @4200 rpm. With 2 adults only we were running low 30's same rpm and topped out just over 40mph. Ran for around 7 hours up and down and burned around 20 gallons total. One note- the 4 stroke is unbelievably quiet at slow speed, but with that transom configuration it's almost as loud as a 2 stroke when running fast. My family and I were very impressed overall but I would definately recommend adding trim tabs, this one did not have them and I was shifting people arround like ballast which the woman foke really do not appreciate. Why not rent one for a day to see if you like it? The $200 would be a small investment. As far as cruiser vs sport/fish boat- I own an older 24 grady and am looking to buy a 33 grady now. I've had cruiser boats before and other fishboats (seacraft) and I'd never go back to a cruiser, particularly an i/o, but that's really a personal decision.
I have seen Grady's own performance report on the 205 with an F150. top speed was 39.5mph @5700rpms. I have a 209 CC Escape with the F150 and with a light load I have hit 43.6mph @6000rpms. My boat weighs 350lbs less than the 205. I have a 13 3/4 x 17 steel prop.
Cannon's Marine on the north end of Longboat Key at Sarasota is a Grady dealer and they rent Grady dual consoles including the Tournament 205. Nice folks.
I loved my 208 adventure. The grady dealer service though a little pricey was very good.
Moved up to a 27' Tiarra with inboards and really miss my Grady. I should have held out for a 26' Grady. Inboards are overrated. Go with the outboard. The Grady name gets allot of respect, very good ride for 20', you'll be better off in the long run over the Chapperal. The Grady is awsome and will also hold up better over time. They are built right , marine grade plywood, stainless steal parts. Self bailing cockpit, and very easy to clean.I beat mine up running hard in 3' seas and it held up awsome. It's still a 20' boat and the 26. may ride better in slop.
As far as crusing goes,( I did 50/50 cruise/fish). The 205 will allow you to beach fairly easy compared to a inboard with
a i/o drive. The cabin in the chapperal will not be usable space while cruising.
Go with the grady. I really miss my old one.
I doubt a 150 will go over 40. I had a 200 efi 2 stroke that got 45 MPH lightly loaded, but I loved my Yamaha compared to my v8 inboards. I personaly would rather have 200hp, but I was out running storms in 2-3' slop at 30+ knots, 30 miles at in the gulf.
Grady White Tournament 205? 
