Opinion on boat im looking to buy

[ultrasport]

Hi just looking for some advice. Currently looking at a 2004 seaswirl striper 21 foot walk around cuddy. 175 2 stroke evinrude with 130 hours and still under warranty, Hard top and canvas (i really like the hard top), fresh and salt washdown, GPS and color fishfinder. Seller is asking 18K. Plus 2005 trailer. Seems like a good deal to me. Seen pics supposed to go on Sunday. I currently have an 84 grady 20 foot overnighter. Some people say im gonna hate the ride of this boat compared to the older grady, but i just really want a reliable running boat most important. And this would be for some long island sound fishing. Any advice appreciated. Thanks scott

 

[ultrasport]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Oh and to add the only bad part is that the owner said boat was never winterized for selling reasons. He says he runs it once a week. Anything to look for on outboard that wasnt properly winterized. Im on long island, been a rough cold winter. Thanks again.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Oh and to add the only bad part is that the owner said boat was never winterized for selling reasons. He says he runs it once a week. Anything to look for on outboard that wasnt properly winterized. Im on long island, been a rough cold winter. Thanks again.

Not winterized in that environment just keep walking and find another boat.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

The main thing to do on an outboard in the winter is to fog the cylinders. This will prevent the formation of rust. If the engine has been run regularly this is no more of a problem in the winter than it would be in the summer. Few people fog the engine between uses in the summer!
If the rest of the rig checks out, I would not be concerned about the lack of winterization. Many outboards are run all winter so are never winterized.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Don't be so quick on the "walking away" part. Inboard motors and outboard motors are essentially two different beasts when it comes to winterizing. As long as the outboard was placed in the 'down' position then all of the water should drain out. The only issue to be concerned with would be the lower unit and gear set. If there would be a leak in there and somehow ingested water then yes, it would freeze and raise havoc.
I think you will find that the Seaswirl will be a lighter vessel compared to your older GW but without looking up the numbers I could be all wet on the issue.
No, go take a look at her, ask the questions concerning the lower unit and be your own judge from there.

 

[dave11]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

What about just repowering the Grady?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

i agree with gcboat. we never winterize an outboard in the south. we just check the lower unit for water in the fall. if any thing to really be concerned with would be the water pump.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Whats the grady got in it ? Motor and drive wise? And what you gonna do with it after you get the newer boat?

Ok the out board left in the down position after use is all that has to be done, for short duration, lay ups. But i hope the guy flushed after every use.

Look at the paper work see when the t-stat was last changed and the impeller also.

Run it on the muffs take off the motor cover and look for any water leaks, on the top end.

Look behind everything, look for a leak anywhere on the block.

You won't see a crack unless it's running. Look for rust trails on the block to indicate if a crack was repaired and painted over, pay close attention, cause when you bring it home it will be to late.

Do a compression check of the motor after you run it.

And do look at the transom, the floors and, the exterior of the hull close up.

Pull up the hatch's on the floor what do you see.

You see lot's of water in the hull?

Good luck !

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

The old Grady Whites are great boats! See if you can take the Seaswirl out for some test runs and compare the ride.
If you like the Grady you could repower for less than 18k...just an idea...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Gary hold on i got first dibbs. I lust for a Old Grady, 20 footer, guy around the corner has one.

He's gonna be buried in it the old coot.

Guy down the block from maybe 1/8 th of a mile has a 2.3l cobra, 19' footer.

I told him i won't take it if he paid me to. Not bad shape, why i want another headache. He wants 2 grand for it, the trailer is nice also.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Yeah 2x Tashasdaddy and gcboat. Seems like a decent deal if everything checks out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

I hear ya Chief!! LOL!! I always loved the looks of the Grady White...
I don't see many for sale down in this area..
I am happy with my Chris Craft though....

 

[ultrasport]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

I have had 470 merc freshwater cooled motor profesionally rebuit twice in two years. Fisrt time was blow by due to bad piston. Than last year got salt water due to bad riser. Fully rebuilt again with brand new carb, fuel pump, water pump, throttle cables, distributer cap rotor. new riser and all new gaskets, alternator conversion kit. So I have had my share of problems and put LOTS of money into the grady. Some people think I hsould keep it after all I put into it but I think I may go crazy if I have to pull that motor out ever again. Shes a good boat and looks mint poeple think its a 2000 or newer but im just wanting an outboard im sick of the I/O. Plus I would enjoy the livewells and washdowns. Still supposed to check out boat sunday. Also I was told 2 different models of evinrude in 2004. FICHT and ETEC. I hear ETEC is great and FICHT has problems. I dont know which one the boat has yet. Any advice. Thanks.

 

[ultrasport]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Oh and if I do buy the new boat a 1984 grady overnighter with about 8K invested last 2 seasons will be up for sale

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

What you heard is mostly true.

The e-tec has been very well received and has proven itself.

The early Ficht's did have issues. By the time they were worked out, the party was over.

 

[rick6977]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

The hull on that seaswirl will give you a very soft ride,the 20 degree deadrise cuts the chop well.The gradys i have been on ride harsh even though they are expensive,especially the older ones.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

The hull on that seaswirl will give you a very soft ride,the 20 degree deadrise cuts the chop well.The gradys i have been on ride harsh even though they are expensive,especially the older ones.

What model and year Grady did you ride on?

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

The hull on that seaswirl will give you a very soft ride,the 20 degree deadrise cuts the chop well.The gradys i have been on ride harsh even though they are expensive,especially the older ones.

Ditto... Grady's are "nice" boats but well overrated in my opinion. I've fished several with buddies of mine and have not been impressed with the ride quality in any kind of washboard chop.

Funny how stuff I never noticed much in my youth really bothers me now! I'm all about the comfort. I don't want to arrive anywhere feeling beat or vibrated to death... makes the ride back seem 2-3 times as long too.

Another buddy has a old 25' semi disp cabin cruiser.... Trojan I think... a bit slow with the inboard but man that thing is smooth in anything but 6-8ft seas.

Planning hulls are quick but not well suited to smooth rides unless you get up there in size. And steep dead rises help in chop but are usually wet boats on planning hulls. I had a couple of older Makos that took the chop great but you were soaking wet all day.

 

[ultrasport]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Im still on the fence on purchasing this boat. Couple experienced boaters have told me seaswirls are POS and are better left to look at inside malls and in driveways. I know its not the top of the line but has everything im looking for and economical. Any more advice on this model. Anyone own this model?

 

[rick6977]

Re: Opinion on boat im looking to buy

Im still on the fence on purchasing this boat. Couple experienced boaters have told me seaswirls are POS and are better left to look at inside malls and in driveways. I know its not the top of the line but has everything im looking for and economical. Any more advice on this model. Anyone own this model?

a 21 footer and they are a solid boat with a good hull.The fit and finish is not top notch but they are very seaworthy and one of the best rides in that size boat.Go to striper owners forum and see what the guys on the west coast think of them.They have very rough water and this is exactly what these boats were designed for.I like mine and i'm now looking to move up to the 24 foot walkaround which has the same 20 degrees of deadrise,cuts the chop and also drifts comfortably. Talk to the guys who own them and you won't hear that they are pieces of s--- because they are a good mid tier boat that will get you there and back as good as higher priced boats ,better yet go for a few sea trials and you be the judge.