Buying a new boat, input needed

[SatBchNole]

Hi everyone,
I don't post on here very often, if at all.
I'm looking to buy a new boat and have it narrowed down to 2: Pursuit DC235 and Grady-White Freedom 225.
Anyone have any experience with either brand? I appreciate any input.

 

[Nole-4-Life]

Don't know much about those, but I'll sell you mine. It's in perfect condition. We've decided to sell it and get a camper.

http://gainesville.craigslist.org/boa/5240225141.html

 

[Dee1135]

Hi everyone,
I don't post on here very often, if at all.
I'm looking to buy a new boat and have it narrowed down to 2: Pursuit DC235 and Grady-White Freedom 225.
Anyone have any experience with either brand? I appreciate any input.

There is no doubt that you are considering to exceptional brands and competing models. I like the transom walk-through door on the Pursuit, especially if you have kids. Also like the location of the livewell in the Pursuit.

 

[OsceolaNole]

Partial to the Grady. Spent many hours in a 27 ft center console - very reliable and well built.

 

[itsjustme0770]

Lake boat or ocean boat? What's your primary usage?

 

[LT4PLY]

Pursuit is built by S2. Their other brand is Tiara. They are high quality. We had a 3250 with Cat diesels and full tower for a while. Build quality is up there with the best production boats. If they haven't changed it the non skid they use is aggressive as hell and will tear up your knees when kneeling on it. It was also a PITA to clean fish blood, etc. off of but it worked better than any other non skid I have ever experienced.

Grady is also high quality but I tend to see them more as a workhorse / fisherman's machine where the Pursuit is more of a combo boat with better creature comforts and will be far more modern.

It isn't worth buying new. For the price you can get a lightly used boat for a lot less or get a lightly used boat for the same price that is a heck of a lot more boat.

Both of these boats have bottoms from the past. They save a ton of money by using a straight bottom. If you compare them to something like a 23 Donzi from the early 2000's... the 15 year old Donzi is light years ahead when it comes to the running surface and hull build. What both these manufacturers stick to is the tried and true bottom that dates back to the 60's. They are far less efficient than some other boats out there but the money saved can be put into other parts of the boat. My 28 Donzi with twin engines, top speed in the low 70's, and cruise speed around 50 gets better MPG than either of these boats.

Another note is both of these boats are compromise boats that literally do nothing great but can do a lot of stuff ok. They suck to fish on because the outboard is in the way and you don't have much side with the dual console. They aren't fast. They aren't big enough to offshore. They are a crappy ski boat. The freeboard is low so they aren't comfortable cruising (feels like you are going to flip out the back when you hit waves, riding up front isn't that safe and will knock your teeth out). 9 times out of 10 they are replaced with more of a purpose boat after the owner figures out how he actually uses it. This is another reason to not buy this model new. I have known very few people happy with this style boat in the long run.

 

[SatBchNole]

Lake boat or ocean boat? What's your primary usage?

Inter coastal mostly in Brevard County. We like to go down to the sandbars at Sebastian Inlet. Once in awhile we hit the ocean. Mostly use our current boat for bar hopping and towing various water toys.

 

[SatBchNole]

Don't know much about those, but I'll sell you mine. It's in perfect condition. We've decided to sell it and get a camper.

http://gainesville.craigslist.org/boa/5240225141.html

Thanks but we have a current boat that we are trading in to help bring the price down.

 

[seminoledq]

Don't know much about those, but I'll sell you mine. It's in perfect condition. We've decided to sell it and get a camper.

http://gainesville.craigslist.org/boa/5240225141.html

The LR continues to surprise. That had trap written all over it but I''l be damned if it wasn't a boat listing.

 

[SeaPA]

I assume those little things are to be used as a tender for your real boat?

 

[itsjustme0770]

Inter coastal mostly in Brevard County. We like to go down to the sandbars at Sebastian Inlet. Once in awhile we hit the ocean. Mostly use our current boat for bar hopping and towing various water toys.

Have you given any consideration to a power catamaran? Great ride in any kind of sea. You like the transom on the Pursuit, you'll love the transom on the cat. Boats tend to be wider and, I think, more versatile with space.

 

[LT4PLY]

Inter coastal mostly in Brevard County. We like to go down to the sandbars at Sebastian Inlet. Once in awhile we hit the ocean. Mostly use our current boat for bar hopping and towing various water toys.

IMO Both are kinda crappy boats for that assuming you are in Sat. Beach. That's where I grew up, lived on Tortoise Island so I know the area like the back of my hand. You have a lot of decent runs down there, hour north / hour south type of a deal. I'd get something in that speed range that is more comfortable or something faster.

 

[ericram]

Get a friend with a boat.

 

[divinnole]

If the 225 GW is them same hull as the GW Gulfstream then you need to stay a long way away from it. I have owned and rode on many many boats and that is the worst, wettest and roughest riding hull I have ever been on. One of my dive buddies had one and if the seas had a 2 in the forecast we would stay on shore. It had to be 1' or less before we would go offshore. If someone offered me a 22' GW for free with only requirement being I had to keep it and use it I would turn it down. The 24' and larger Grady are fine boats but the 22 sucks.

 

[SatBchNole]

IMO Both are kinda crappy boats for that assuming you are in Sat. Beach. That's where I grew up, lived on Tortoise Island so I know the area like the back of my hand. You have a lot of decent runs down there, hour north / hour south type of a deal. I'd get something in that speed range that is more comfortable or something faster.

Crappy? How do you figure? Pursuit has a 250 Yamaha and GW has a 300 Yamaha. They can both go pretty fast. The hulls are made to go offshore so the rides are pretty smooth. And yes I have lived in Satellite Beach most of my life.

 

[LT4PLY]

Crappy? How do you figure? Pursuit has a 250 Yamaha and GW has a 300 Yamaha. They can both go pretty fast. The hulls are made to go offshore so the rides are pretty smooth. And yes I have lived in Satellite Beach most of my life.

I already stated previously... I'll state differently

Take the GW. Cruise is a bit under 30 mph. Just above 2mpg. Outboards blow for watersports (torque is not existent... ..300 hp is not all the same, you have to factor torque especially in a boat! Look at ski boats and they promote torque at a low rpm). They aren't great for fishing, in all but center console setups, and even then it's not great. Straight bottom.... Straight from the Wynn design that aronow made famous in the 60s MINUS the 24 degree dead rise that made the ride great.

Pretty fast? I'm looking at 50++ foot convertibles that cruise faster. My current boat cruises slow at 45... Mid cruise 50, fast cruise 55. I get 3.5 MPG. You have long runs there where that means a lot. From a $$$$ aspect... It's about 30 miles from sat beach to Sebastian. You can run 29 mph in that Grady at 2.2 MPG. Takes an hour and a half contending with idle zones. Costs about 75 bucks round trip at 2.50 a gallon. Same trip takes a bigger, much better riding, twin step under an hour and only 43 bucks in gas.

Also... There are a few sub 25 foot boats that are designed for offshore. Neither of the ones you posted are close to being one. They are both inshore designs to be taken offshore on only the best of days hoping it ends well.

 

[SatBchNole]

I already stated previously... I'll state differently

Take the GW. Cruise is a bit under 30 mph. Just above 2mpg. Outboards blow for watersports (torque is not existent... ..300 hp is not all the same, you have to factor torque especially in a boat! Look at ski boats and they promote torque at a low rpm). They aren't great for fishing, in all but center console setups, and even then it's not great. Straight bottom.... Straight from the Wynn design that aronow made famous in the 60s MINUS the 24 degree dead rise that made the ride great.

Pretty fast? I'm looking at 50++ foot convertibles that cruise faster. My current boat cruises slow at 45... Mid cruise 50, fast cruise 55. I get 3.5 MPG. You have long runs there where that means a lot. From a $$$$ aspect... It's about 30 miles from sat beach to Sebastian. You can run 29 mph in that Grady at 2.2 MPG. Takes an hour and a half contending with idle zones. Costs about 75 bucks round trip at 2.50 a gallon. Same trip takes a bigger, much better riding, twin step under an hour and only 43 bucks in gas.

Also... There are a few sub 25 foot boats that are designed for offshore. Neither of the ones you posted are close to being one. They are both inshore designs to be taken offshore on only the best of days hoping it ends well.

Thanks for your insight. What brand of boat do you like?

 

[FreeFlyNole]

Are you in Satellite Beach? I joined Hayleys boat club just shy of three years. It is the best boating decision I've ever made. Not often in my life have I been so satisfied with a decision. You pay like $2500 to join, and $250 a month. They have +-40 boats. Deck boats, fishing boats, water ski/wakeboard boats, pontoon boats, they all are in pretty good shape, they all run great, they have a great, very friendly staff, and you never have to clean the boat, gas it up, no maintenance, nothing. Totally hassle free.

I live about 4 miles from the marina, I call and by the time I'm there a boat is in the water. In 2 years only one time was there no boat available and it was on a memorial day weekend or something where I didn't schedule it in advance. Never had a breakdown. When they gas it up, the gas is the same price as ethanol free at the regular pump at a gas station, they don't rip you off for fuel.

I have owned boats my whole life and would NEVER EVER EVER own a boat if I had access to a club like this in my area. You would be an absolute fool, if you live in Satellite Beach to buy a boat, unless you are some hard core boater who is going to go to the Bahamas fishing or something not to take advantage of this awesome set up in your back yard.

 

[maddog69]

How about something like this????

 

[SatBchNole]

How about something like this????

Now that's a party barge!

 

[TPANole]

Boat owner for many years. Pursuit 2670 for the past 12 years and the boat is still in great shape. I second the suggestion of looking at newer used in the top brands. Engines now come with five or six year warranties and the top quality boats have ten year warranties on the hulls. Many new boat owners sell within the first few years. Also might look at Cobia boats, manufactured by Maverick/Pathfinder so top quality and very family friendly designs.

 

[hatsbo]

Another Pursuit owner, had a 22 ft Tiara Cuddy cabin, sold when we headed north to Charlottesville. Solid boat, no complaints, put it through some hellish conditions, especially those pop up thunderstorms. Like my cars lately, bought it used, saved some major moola. Like a lot of things bigger is better, could have used a couple more feet for a smoother experience when we went offshore.

 

[coolguy100]

Make sure about the duel console set up....they are tough to really fish on if you want to do that...They are tough to ski on if that what you want...they are tough to get out of at a sand bar if that is what you want...I guess they are fine to have an adult beverage on and see Christmas lights on the intracoastal... it looks like they don't even have a bimini....they look heavy and look like they have a deep draft for what they are.
.I bet resale on duel consoles are not as high as on a 22 to 25 foot fishing boat...or same size bay boat.

I took the time to look at the actual boats and I will tell you there is no way I would buy the grady...
if you ever get something caught on the lower unit or have something wrapped on the prop you have to get out the boat to deal with it...on any kind of rough chop that gets dicey....

if it was between those two I would get a pursuit....

Just my two cents I don't know what you can really do with either of them....it is kinda like buying a Honda pickup, what do you do with it.

OH>>>btw...any boat beats no boat.


B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand

 

[KevNole]

A vote for GW

 

[squiffynole]

If you need a dingy I can make my 13' Whaler available for purchase, its a little dinged up I've hit most every oyster bar between the Rock Garden and St. Vincent Island!

 

[VirginiaNole]

Just make sure whatever model you buy does not have any wood in it. I thought Grady's had a wood encapsulated transom and or stringers.

If your motor is going to be a four stroke Yamaha make sure you keep it under warranty for as long a possible.

For the record I have a 32 Regulator. I have twin Yamaha F350's and these motors are junk. I will not own another Yamaha motor after spending that kind of money and having to replace power heads after 5 years, then having the heads rebuilt within a year of the new power heads being replaced. Yamaha customer service is a joke if you have a problem.....

 

[coolguy100]

Just make sure whatever model you buy does not have any wood in it. I thought Grady's had a wood encapsulated transom and or stringers.

If your motor is going to be a four stroke Yamaha make sure you keep it under warranty for as long a possible.

For the record I have a 32 Regulator. I have twin Yamaha F350's and these motors are junk. I will not own another Yamaha motor after spending that kind of money and having to replace power heads after 5 years, then having the heads rebuilt within a year of the new power heads being replaced. Yamaha customer service is a joke if you have a problem.....

I have a Yamaha....best motor I ever owned...but wow power heads...yikes...

good call on the wood though...never do that...

 

[SatBchNole]

Just make sure whatever model you buy does not have any wood in it. I thought Grady's had a wood encapsulated transom and or stringers.

If your motor is going to be a four stroke Yamaha make sure you keep it under warranty for as long a possible.

For the record I have a 32 Regulator. I have twin Yamaha F350's and these motors are junk. I will not own another Yamaha motor after spending that kind of money and having to replace power heads after 5 years, then having the heads rebuilt within a year of the new power heads being replaced. Yamaha customer service is a joke if you have a problem.....

Yamaha is running a promotion until the end of November, the warranty is 6 years, normally 3 years.

 

[VirginiaNole]

Yamaha is running a promotion until the end of November, the warranty is 6 years, normally 3 years.

Just keep in under warranty, when it blows up...not if.....but when, it will put a dent in your pocket if your not covered. Make sure you keep up the maintenance and keep records or if you don't, they will try and get out of any repairs.

I made it a point to make sure my records were kept by Yamaha service dealers just for that purpose.

 

[VirginiaNole]

I have a Yamaha....best motor I ever owned...but wow power heads...yikes...

good call on the wood though...never do that...

Glad your having no issues. I have 5 of their motors and have been a loyal customer until the BS I have had to endure. When you drop $60K on new F350's, then have to turn around and spend another $25K for repairs within 5-7 years, you'll understand why I am bitter.

I will never own another grey motor, period.

 

[coolguy100]

Glad your having no issues. I have 5 of their motors and have been a loyal customer until the BS I have had to endure. When you drop $60K on new F350's, then have to turn around and spend another $25K for repairs within 5-7 years, you'll understand why I am bitter.

I will never own another grey motor, period.

gotcha...you know these companies cheapen their stuff sometimes...and now no one backs their equipment

 

[divinnole]

The manufactures are squeezing so much HP from the engines anymore it is a crap shoot when you start going above 250hp in any of the brands. I run etecs on all my rigs (all 250hp and below) and have had no issues with any of them, but I know others who have had issues. The only ones I seldom hear any issues from are Honda but those are some weak ass motors and the corrosion properties are awful.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

It's been years since I boated regularly but what's the motivation for so much power? 25 years ago twin 200s were considered hot stuff.