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Ok, here is my story. Short but sweet. I have now taken my first ride on a Grady White boat. Always admired, but never been on one. I seatrialed a 2002 Seafarer today and now have a price on a 2006 (new). I need guidance on the price. This is big money for me when it comes to luxury items!
226 Seafarer with Yamaha F250TXR $65260
Dealer prep $3990
Deluxe Helm chairs $580
Hardtop with radio box and spread lights $5760
Custom enclosure $1950
Head with inline macerator $875
Swim platform $525
Livewell $520
Washdown $525
Total 79985 - 6085 discount $73900. Please give me your opinions!!
Thanks!!!
__________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
In my opinion, check out the nice new model used ones here on THT For Sale Section, theres a good mix of several 226's and 228's, all ready rigged and about 25k cheaper!!!
Sweet choice though, I want my next boat to be a 228, if I can afford one.
__________________
2004 Silverado 2500HD
2001 Grady White 265 Express
I think you should be able to do considerably better on price. 4 grand dealer prep is a hose job. There are tons of these around, almost every bigger grady dealer has at least 1 sitting. You should get a mimium of 20% off of that inflated price.
I work a deal on a GW 228 pretty hard. Demo'd it twice, spent a few hours on it crawling around and here is the price that I came up with...
2005, new, 228 with the 225 4 stroke and galv trlr w/sideguides, loaded as yours is plus the windlass and aux fuel tank. I don't recall their quoted "list" price, (but that was probably made up anyway), but I got a firm price in writing from them for $63,785 plus tax and DMV only. They did have four on the ground (2 still wrapped up) and it was mid-model year.
Of course, you should adjust for one model year plus the larger motor, but it looks like there is still room to move. And I agree...$3,990 is a rip even if it includes freight. The boat comes pretty much ready to splash, except of course to do the usual run-up and check of the systems. Three to four hours max by a tech that knows what he is doing. Sounds like the ever-so-popular freight and prep scam (extra profit) to me...
The later model 228's (2004?-2006) have a redesigned dash/switch cluster which is much better than the previous models (IMO), plus I would have preferred the 250 HP vs the 225.
10% off is the standard, non-negotiated discount on a current model Grady. And yes, I believe Grady actually has a "real" list price. I would expect at least 20% on a leftover. Which, by the way is close to what "A Boater" got.
If you know what you want, and you're buying new, you have all the cards and dealers can offer you nothing but the "perceived local service" BS.
I would call around the east coast inc. Florida and go with the dealer with the lowest cost. Forget the $3995 or whatever dealer prep.
And yes, I believe Grady actually has a "real" list price. .
If they do then many of their dealers are playing fast and loose with it. I have priced Gulfstreams from 4 different dealers and their quoted "list" price given in writing varies by 10 grand.
GOD! That's a bunch of $$$ for a 22' boat! Have you shopped around? Like--- a Jag is a nice car but can you get by with a Camry? And have you looked at what late model boats you can get with that dough?
__________________ I know I used to have a memory but I forget what I did with it.
Well, that was my concern. Not only does it seem like a ton of money for a 22' boat, it also seems like a ton of money for a 226 Grady. My main concern is getting burned with no resale. I currently have a 2002 Fishhawk that is in great shape. I have actually reconsidered just repowering with a quieter more fuel efficient motor than the current johnson 150. I also had people on this board give me suggestions and I have considered sailfish, polar, hydra, boston whaler, etc. The grady is expensive but the boat is a tank. Not sure what other boats are built like a grady.....
__________________ "24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
Comparing the 226 to the 228 (at least in our area).
If there was one flaw, well, maybe fluke, in the 228 (again, IMO), it would be the bracket mount. I've heard (and then experienced) the lack of control while maneuvering in reverse. Even the salesman had trouble getting the boat on the trailer and put a nice gouge in the gelcoat because he couldn't maneuver in reverse.
It has been mentioned here on THT to tilt the motor up prior to going into reverse to help out the situation. Personally, I don't think that you should have to tilt up the motor to navigate in reverse in a properly designed boat. But hey, that's just me...
Otherwise, the boat is a 10 in my book.
I mentioned this only because you brought up resale value.
That all being said, our local dealer won't even stock a 226 because everyone (at least in our market) wants the 228 due to the larger cockpit and full transom. Made sense to me too.
Grady White 226 2006 Leftover 
