John Eichelsheim from Boating New Zealand magazine.
Today we're in beautiful Tairua. And we're reviewing the Grady White Seafarer 228.
It feels really really solidly made, and the ride is really quite brilliant.
You've got to remember that this isn't a huge boat.
It's about a little over twenty two feet.
But you'd think you're on a much much larger vessel. Pretty quick too with the 300 Yamaha on it.
According to Grady White's figures there you can get up to 52 knots out of this particular rig we certainly saw
Mid-40s during our run, so it's pretty impressive. Also a great boat to throw around. This is quite a deep V hull.
But they've also done some interesting things with the transom arrangement, and the dead rise aft
instead of the normal "V" shape there its quite rounded off,
and whether that is what's contributing to the really secure ride,
I'm not sure, but you can throw it into a turn at full speed and it's not going to trip up.
I'd like to introduce Stuart Arnold. Stewart is the importer for Grady White Boats in
New Zealand, and Stuart you've had a long association with Grady White, not just in New Zealand.
But also in the U.S. That's right. Yes. Previously spent quite a lot of time over in Florida.
Was actually a Grady White owner before we got involved with Grady White.
With our association obviously importing boats to various places including mainly, New Zealand.
We were approached by Grady White to bring their brand over to New Zealand and it's going very very well at the moment.
So Stuart is there.. Could you put your finger on
something in particular that you that you really like about Grady White.
Well I think it's the quality of finish. The ride obviously is very important.
They're designed for operating out in extreme conditions, so they're perfect for New Zealand.
That's what the boats are built for. Their quality is without exception the best in the world.
They've been now the most successful boat building company in the state since 1959, building the best boats.
We've won, every award there is going so, it speaks for itself really.
Fantastic. Thank you Stuart.
So like most boats of the Grady White range, the 228 Seafarer,
is designed primarily for fishing, and it's a great fishing boat. This cockpit is
perfectly set out for a serious angler, right down to the thigh height
gunnels here that they're nicely padded. Lots of toe room. But I particularly like this transom area.
Which has a simply huge live bait well right where you need it.
Close to the bait board, close to where you'd have your ready rigged rods, and there's also a nice
set of rod holders there for tackle that you want to use straight away.
Whole layout has been optimized so everything works the way that it should. If we lift these corner seats out
we've got really good access down to the pumps and the levers.
We can turn everything off that we need to all through hull fittings.
It's been really well thought through. A wide platform aft. Divers will find that useful.
But if you really wanted to you could put a cage on there,
and you've got a great place to keep the messy stuff outside of the boat.
There's something you really need with a fishing boat is somewhere to keep the catch.
And again this particular boat is really well endowed.
We've got a huge insulated fish box down here, and on the other side
we've got a similar size that extends right back underneath the seat base here,
but it's split in two, one side has a separate lid.
You can keep drinks in one side and food in the other side. Both of the bins are nicely insulated.
You'll keep your ice in there no trouble.
So this boat is a full walk around.
The side decks are plenty wide enough to get around easily enough.
And there's plenty to hold on to too here on the Bimini top.
Now the supports of the Bimini anodized aluminum, looks nice. It's going to keep well over the years.
Everything about this boat exudes quality. All of the deck fittings are high quality, heavy duty down to the cleats.
The anchor arrangement is suitable for New Zealand boating conditions, including the Lumar winch, which is
something that Stewart specified specifically for New Zealand.
Yeah, it feels like it is fit for purpose, because it is.
I really like the helm position of this boat and works well with your standing up or sitting down.
But to be honest, I prefer to drive the boat sitting. The seat is very comfortable, and it's adjustable every which way.
But it's also got really good lateral support. So even when you're throwing the boat into a tight corner,
you're not going to get thrown out of the seat.
That's really useful in a Seaway.
Everything of course is, you know forced to hand as you'd expect and a boat like this, which has had so many years of
development and experience from the builders.
Yeah, all in all it's a pleasant place to be. The clears can be pulled out on a summers day.
But on a day like we had today with a bit of wind it was nice to have them up.
You know the Seafarer is also set up as an overnighter you could sleep in there.
There's plenty of room in the forward cabin with the infills in.
There's also a sink and a toilet, and Grady White offers options for toilets.
This boat offers not only performance, but also high level of comfort, and the
sort of handling that you'd feel very confident in any kind of Seaway. On top of that
It's really well kitted out for fishing. So if you're in the fishing market
This is something you should probably look at quite seriously. But that aside
Everything about this boat is going to fill you with confidence, when you're out at sea.
John Eichelsheim from Boating New Zealand.
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