Grady-White strikes again with Advance 257
5/25/2004 2:12:13 PM by Marshall Brodie
Grady-White
Boats must be doing something right. They have earned the J.D. Power
and Associates award for highest customer satisfaction in the category
of coastal fishing boats (17- to 28-foot) for each of the three years
that the award has been given.
Plus, the National Marine Manufacturers Association has given
Grady-White its customer-satisfaction award for fiberglass outboard
boats both times that this award has been given.
With all of these accolades, it is no surprise that expectations are
high for a Grady-White boat such as the Advance 257. Though designed
specifically for fishing, the 24-foot, nine-inch center-console Advance
257 also offers plenty of seating for leisurely times with family and
friends, unlike some other competing boats.
The Advance 257 is not inexpensive but it does reward the owner with a
generally high level of fit and finish throughout. Interior design is a
product of customer surveys and is functional, without any thoughtless
design flaws. For instance, the live well and fish boxes are all
mounted above deck for easier access and so that they drain overboard
reliably, by gravity, without the need for a macerator pump.
Hatch lids are supported by a stainless steel strut and have a rubber
gasket to keep them watertight and rattle-free. Construction is
conventional but stout with a solid fiberglass hull and
fiberglass-encapsulated plywood stringers that are backed by a limited
lifetime warranty.
The test boat was equipped with twin Yamaha F150 four-stroke outboards.
They proved to be a perfect power option for the Advance 257. These
quiet four-strokes pushed the test boat up on plane quickly and
provided strong mid-range acceleration yet were economical to operate.
At 3,500 rpm with two adults and a full tank of fuel, the test boat
cruised at 27 mph while getting nearly 3 mpg. At wide-open throttle,
the GPS indicated a round-trip average of 48 mph at 5,900 rpm.
An important safety consideration for those who venture far offshore is
whether a twin engine boat can plane on one engine to quickly return to
port in case of an approaching storm or approaching nightfall. This was
not a problem with the test boat, with one engine tilted up, we were
able to get up on plane easily.
DRY RIDING
C. Raymond Hunt Associates, a leading naval architectural firm and the
inventor of the modern deep-V hull, designed the hull of the Advance
257 -- and all other Grady-Whites. The variable deadrise hull of the
Advance 257 proved to be soft and dry riding in two- to three-foot seas
that we encountered, knocking spray out and down. Turns were crisp and
smooth. Whether we were at rest or running, the boat remained stable.
Fishing action normally takes place in the aft cockpit and the Advance
257 was designed to maximize angler's success. Acircular and functional
interior design stems from customer surveys. For instance, the live
well and fish boxes are mounted above deck for better access and
drainage. A32-gallon live well in the transom bulkhead features a
watertight hatch but if water sloshes out while retrieving your bait,
the water is channeled overboard keeping the cockpit dry.
AMPLE STORAGE
Six rods can be stored under the gunwales with four more in the leaning
post and another four in the optional T-top to ensure that everyone has
the right rod for any situation. Need to change lures? The aft side of
the leaning post has four tackle trays and bulk storage to keep fishing
tackle quickly accessible. Adjacent to the live well in the transom
bulkhead is a 185-quart insulated fish box to store your catch. Two
more insulated fish boxes are in the forward casting platform -- or
they can be used for dry storage. The 257's center console is one of
the better designs in its class. The engine gauges span the console
across the top for easy reading. The horizontal row of electrical
switches are also in plain sight above the steering wheel. Alockable
electronics box is protected by a plexiglass cover.
SAFE MOVEMENT
Well placed handholds provide safety in rougher seas when moving around
the console. The engine control levers, though, could interfere with a
passenger's legs when shifted into reverse. Raising the controls onto a
pedestal or moving the leaning post back slightly may solve this
problem. Access to the head, batteries and wiring inside the console is
through the starboard side door. Once inside, there is more than six
feet of headroom. The two engine batteries are mounted high to keep
them dry but there is only room for two, with twin outboards. (Many
owners prefer a third battery to run accessories while at anchor
without the risk of draining the starting batteries.) Well finished and
well designed, the Advance 257 will most likely help Grady-White earn
more awards for their display case. For more information, call
Grady-White Boats at 252752-2111 or visit its website at
www.gradywhite.com
Marshall Brodie can be contacted at mbboating@yahoo.com