1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

[mattttt25]

Looking at a 1994 Grady White 246G Explorer with 2002 Yamaha F225. Should I be afraid of the older boat? Anything to look for in that particular combination? Is it crazy to spend close to 30K for that package?

 

[tommays]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

grady like any other builder useing wood may or may not have problems with rot from poor sealing of the wood at the factory or poor care by the owner <br /><br />this can only really be found out with a really carefull survey<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Osprey]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

I purchased a 94 Grady 208 Adventure last year. <br /><br />1. Do a sea trial if at all possible.<br /><br />2. Plastic Thru-Hull fittings - If they have not already been changed you will have to deal with them. Grady's of this vintage all have plastic thru hull fittings in the hull and deck drains. These WILL crack and fail with age. From outside the boat, if you carefully inspect the inside surface of each thru hull, I would bet a big lunch you will find cracking. The cracks allow water directly into the hull and if one failed completely you would have a nasty hole right at or below the waterline open to the sea and this does happen. I replaced all of them with stainless steel. I can provide a link for ordering these if you need it.<br /><br />3. Drain Hoses - With all the drains and thru hulls these boats have they also have a bunch of drain hoses and hose clamps. Pop all the inspection hatches in the deck and use a flash light to inspect for cracked hoses, failed clamps and/or any water damage. <br /><br />While your at it take a look at the round plastic deck covers with o-ring seal. The hatch covers can deform or crack or the o-ring can deform with age and can be another source of water getting into the hull. They complete deck ring and hatch can be cheaply purchased and easily replaced.<br /><br />4. Also worth looking at carefully is wiring and electrical, especially in the stern. Bilge pumps, connectors, fuses, etc. Some work in this area will likely be required.<br /><br />5. If it comes with a 94 trailer this will likely be an area of additional cost / work. A ten year old trailer is often at the end of its useful life. I made the call to include the cost of a new trailer as part of my overal purchase costs.<br /><br />Is it worth the price? Well you likely know how much you would spend for a new one. Given that everything is in good maintained condition and the newer 2002 motor it would seem to be in the right range.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

appreciate the advice. went and looked at the boat twice already. really like it, big boat feel. a bit dirty, but i'm convinced with one day or work, it would look brand new. no real problems noted, seems like boat was really taken care of. one owner. no bottom paint, lift kept it's whole life.<br /><br />along with the long list of standards, here's some options: hardtop, electronics box, vhf, cb radio, 6 ft antennas, 2 larger screen fishfinders, large screen gps chartplotter, rocket launchers, spreader lights, outriggers, aux fuel tank (160 gal total capacity), marine head w/ macerator and holding tank, seat cushions.<br /><br />here's a link to some photos:<br /><br /> http://www.tristatemarine.com/Used-Boats/1994grady24.htm <br /><br />any other opinions on boat or engine, or anything else that can help. thanks-

 

[cowboyup]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

If you can completely detail that boat in one day, I'll fly you down here to do mine. I've got an 87 24 Offshore Pro I bought over a year ago and didn't get a survey done. Still haven't splashed it. Not to scare you, those are darn good boats, but get/do a thorough survey. Some item to pay attention to; Test the fuel tank compartment/water tank lids for sponginess. Open the inspection ports and smell for fuel. Ten years in salt water with aluminum tanks and foam would raise a flag. Also, look underneath the hull where the inner and outer stringers run longitudonally for crazing or hairline fractures. Check the drivers and passenger bulkheads at the floor. If Grady was still using that laminate garbage when they built that one, chances are, they're rotten. I've got lots more if you like.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

i'll take anything you have. if i can make a deal with this guy, the sale will be dependent on professional survey and water test.<br /><br />i wouldn't call the upper bay salt, much more brackish, but your point is taken. the boat has been lift kept it's entire life, no bottom paint. the guy obviously was an avid fisherman, but you can tell he took care of it well. it's dirty from sitting in a warehouse, but upon inspection, the boat is "clean".

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

I was in the same situation 3 yrs ago! Bought a '93 Grady White 232, 250 yamaha. Read all the posts you can although you've probably already decided to buy it!! They clean up well. With very little work, that boat will look like new no matter how dirty it looks. Of course have it surveyed. It's the engine you have to be careful of. Mine checked out fine and after the first year, I needed a new powerhead. It could of been my fault as this was my first boat ever. Keep that oil tank full! Half way could be as good as empty! Assume your going to need a new engine in a year or two (or three) and add that to the price and see if it is still worth it. I think it is. I paid 32k for it in 2002. Save some money for incidentals like new batteries, tune up, wire cowlings, and things that just age. I also had to put in a new fuel sender. Make sure the guages and electronics work.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

do you like the boat first boat?<br /><br />thanks for the advice. i'm getting a survey scheduled for this week, as soon as we make a deal. i've read everything i can on this model, grady's in general, the engine, etc. based on a few other boats selling around the country, the price seems very reasonable. of course, it could come down a bit for me. going to look at it again today.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

matt,<br /><br />Sounds like a good deal. I think some poster's here didn't notice the year of the engine. That's the main concern. If the survey doesn't find anything wrong with the stringers or transom, go for it. I picked up a 1981 Grady last season, I need to replace some fittings like mentioned above, and I'll be doing the boat's second fuel tank replacement in a year or two as well. Those darn foamed in tanks.....<br /><br />Here's a picture of one of the very few "straight inboards" they made, model is "Wahoo 256", soon to be renamed..... "WAHOO"..... <br /><br />

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

luna- nice looking boat.<br /><br />i'm headed back down today to look some more. can never look at a boat too much. dealer did answer some questions. engine had the bushing kit recall performed. didn't know engine hrs but would get them from the ecu. he estimated 240. a bit higher than the average 3 yr engine, but not bad i guess. everything conveys with the sale, and they plan to replace the transom rod holders with new. will obviously clean it and will de-winterize the engine.<br /><br />i also have an email from him stating that the owner guarantees everything to be in good working order at time of delivery, or it will be repaired/replaced at sellers expense.<br /><br />guy is asking $29,950. is it a slap in the face to offer $27,000?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

Not at all, leaves room for bargaining.<br /><br />The guy was asking 20 for mine (with a new 350 Mag MPI w/120 hrs.), but then found out it needed one of the tanks re-replaced. So he offered it to my friend/his neighbor for 12. My friend told me not to "insult his neighbor" by offering less. So I offered 10 , and we settled on 11.<br /><br />PS. You buy the Grady and you'll be putting the hours on it too!!!

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

i didn't even catch that your's was a 1981. amazing how they all look the same, whether they are 80s or 00s. guess that says a lot about the quality.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

Yes, unlike many/most other manufacturers, the general look and the lines of the Grady have not changed much in 20 plus years. Most people guess mine's vintage to be early 90's. They have some good history of the company on their website. I've read most of it, several times.....

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

mattttt25<br /><br />I love it! I'd buy it again! The boat will last forever. It's the little things. the stainless looks like the day it was made, no pits or stains, the gelcoat with a little cleaner and wax looks like new. Even the cabin, well lit, the upholstery held up, no rips or wear. Although my aft fishboxes and fore anchor locker covers started to chip, needed a little quartersized gelcoat repair. A windlass would be a real bonus!<br /><br />Pros. It's a fishing machine. Everything is well placed (could use a few more cup holders!), plenty of room to cast and work and it cleans up perfectly. It handles swells and chop phenomenally and the cockpit never gets wet. Plenty of storage. There's more but I haven't been out since November so it's hard to remember!<br /><br />Cons. The wife wants a couch, a cocktail table and a bathroom (although the porta potty isn't that bad!). It's not a fast boat, and it won't get on plane as quick as some, but it's got to be one of the safest boats out there.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

it always seems as i get close to the finish line- did my my homework, ran thru the pros and cons, and am ready to make the final decision- that something hits me and really starts to bother me...<br /><br />i'm now just afraid the boat will be severely underpowered. i think i'm just nervous about the big purchase and looking for a doubt. but what do you guys think? guy says it does 40-41 top speed, with a good 27-28 cruise. sounds like the right numbers. that's fine for me, same performance that my current boat gets. but i'm worried about the times i have 4-5 people aboard. how is that 4 stroke going to react? will i be struggling to get up on plane and stay there?<br /><br />dry weight of boat is 3500# without the hardtop. can hold 140 gal of fuel. add crap and people, and the engine. will this be a dog when fully loaded? max hp is 300, so i'm at 75% right now. any chance the bracket and tabs will make things ok?<br /><br />is this enough to make me think twice?

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

My 232 dry weighs 4000# rated at a max of 400hp. I have a '93 yam 250 2-stroke on it. The numbers sound about right. I can cruise at 4000rpm doing about 25 knots. The performance tests that Yamaha did with my boat and a newer engine were a little better. Now you have to remember I have a '93 with a repowered refurbished head. When trolling or going slow, it's fine when going 20 - 30 knots it's fine. when going 2500 to 3000 rpms it's kind of sluggish, wants to get on plane but needs more throttle than back off a little. I just don't go that speed. The only time it even seems to matter is when I on a drift and I want to go back and do it again, but the distance is so short that it doesn't bother me. I've never had another boat so I'm not sure if this is normal. I've been on a lot of small boats but thats a lot different. I don't think the power is a deal killer. If the price is right, the boat will always hold it's value. You can always sell it. Your gonna get a new engine eventually anyway and you'll get use to this one! When it's on plane, it rides like a dream. When I have eight people and a days worth of stuff, it doesn't make that much of a difference. It still behaves pretty much the same.

 

[Sea Mitch]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

Can you take it for a water test?

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

With some, uhm, "heavy" fishing buddies?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

i will take it for a water test before the deal is sealed.<br /><br />90% of the time, it will be 1-2 people onboard. handful of times i will take 3-4 people out for fishing, and the rest of the time 3-4 people to just cruise around. i don't need a lot of speed, but i just hate when the boat struggles to get up when i have a crew.<br /><br />like i said, probably just the nerves getting to me.

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: 1994 Grady White 246G w/ Yamy repower

You'll enjoy the ride. It's not a light little ski boat, to get the smooth ride, they build a quality boat, which means some weight, which means a little less speed than........<br /><br />Pick a rough day! And enjoy!