quote:
Hi Salt fever just curious,why the Grady. I do know they are great boats, so expensive compared to some of the locally built boats.They charge an extra 20 grand just for the logo.I will keep my eye open for ya though. How far will you travel.I'm going to san diego on fri.You never know what you find down there.
thanks the runt
Hi Runt,
No doubt the Grady name carries a premium price and you need to have your head examined if you choose to purchase new.
I spent 6-months actively searching for the right deal.
The below market price low time boat with limited saltwater use etc... I was searching Whaler, Parker, Grady, Pursuit, and couple other lessor know Aluminum hulls. The Grady just happened to meet my criteria at a low price. Mine was about 12k below market price including the cost of transport New England to Oregon. It was that low price the got me into a Grady. Not the snobbery and that other crap and believe me you get alot of guys taking shots at you at you for owning a Grady.
After having now owed one for 8-months and comparing to other hulls I have fished on I can honestly state she is one solid built boat with a very straight tracking, soft, dry ride and quality hardware and cosmetic finish - no cheap china stainless or sun cooked gel-coat. There are no doubt better buys but, when purchased right, the Grady is hard to beat.
Other item to consider:
Most who purchase Gradys new have a wallet full of money and almost always spec them out with premium electronics and upgrades - mine came w/ all Raymarine electronics including 24mn Radar, sounder, and 10" color and 10" mono gps/plotters and dual VHF radios.
Complaints:
Wavy rub rail, replacement parts pricing (fortunately very little has been required) limited access to through hulls and mechanical pit, narrow companion way between helm and passenger seat, windsheild and foward hatch window gaskets leak water in heavy rain, hydraulic steering is too stiff, not enough tackle storage in fishing cockpit, so-so live well, limited fresh water storage and smallish fishing cockpit for 25ft hull compared to a Parker or other "fishing" boats.
Positives:
She can land hard off the back side of a big wave and not shuttler one bit, not a creak or groan from any part of the deck under my 325lb frame, stoutness and quality finish of hardward, hinges, latches, doors, cleats, rod holders etc... Solid fiberglass core is very quite, huge fuel capacity at 155-gallons, 450mile range, three large insulated fish boxes (must for tuna fishing), twice the gel-coat thickness of most other comparable brands (according to my fiberglass guy doing some repairs from a recent ill-fated take out during a 30mph quartering tail wind), excellent factory support for a 9-year old hull, high resale when I trade up, and near new looking 9-year old fiberglass boat - something about their gel-coat really holds up overtime.
Nasty Oregon Waters:
I needed a positive floatation hull, with good fuel capacity and range that could handle fast approaching nasty weather when I am 40-50-60miles off the Oregon coast chasing tuna or halibut. It's not un-common for one to run out two hours and take 5-6hrs to slog back in tightly spaced 4-6ft wind chop here in Oregon. All but one of our coastal ports has river bar to cross to before reaching habor waters and the one that does not, closes often under rough conditios due to a very narrow, blind entrance. Many times after missing the tide for idea river-bar conditions you are forced to drive in some pretty nasty standing waves for a mile or so. Those river-bars kill or sink 2-3 boats every summer (I can think of three guys from my home fishing board/forum who died or lost someone close last August crossing an Oregon river bar at the end of the fishing day). Amoung the 200-300 salt fishermen from my area, the list of boats owned by those who fish regularly is a who's-who of quality boats. Any thing less would come un-done in short order in our home waters. Grady has a demostrated history of long service in Oregon conditions so it just felt like the right buy for me.
Edited by - 5-Salt Fever on 04/06/2006 00:32:40
Edited by - 5-Salt Fever on 04/06/2006 00:40:35
Edited by - 5-Salt Fever on 04/06/2006 00:46:10
Edited by - 5-Salt Fever on 04/06/2006 00:52:02
