SPECIFICATIONS
Length 24’ 9”/7.54 m
Beam 8’ 6”/2.59 m
Hull Weight Dry 4,045 lbs./1835 kg
Fuel Capacity 151 gal./571 L
Price (as tested) $92,000
TEST BOAT PROVIDED AND PRICE
QUOTED BY:
DESMASDONS BOATWORKS, ONTARIO
WWW.DESMASDONS.COM
In the bow is a lounge area. The cushions
lift and there are two large fish boxes
with gasketed lids and gas lift struts. The
cover in the centre reveals a set of tackle
boxes. Notice the padded inwales around
the edges.
outboard start twist of the key starts,
idle like a pussycat but it has the
heart of a lion. We recorded a full
6000 rpm at a blistering 52 mph. The
Grady-White Advance 257 hull is
4,050 pounds alone with a centre line
length of 24’ 9” on an 8’ 6” trailerable
beam. It’s a big brawny boat to be
traveling such speeds and the
“Carolina shear” with the trademark
flared bow delivers good looks and a
dry ride.
Bring sunscreen and a hat, then
get ready for a fabulous day on the
water. In the bow is a large upholstered platform with padded inwales
and thoughtfully recessed stainless
steel handholds making a comfortable
and safe place for passengers to ride.
Underneath are substantial forward
fish lockers with gasketed lids secured
by elastic rubber latches. There is a
large anchor locker and also a built-in
tackle box locker forward.
Grady-White has placed another
seat on the forward side of the center
console. The console itself may not
look very large but in fact, it has a
locking door, a pump out toilet, and
storage as well. You can lock your
belongings into this secure area.
The business side of the console
places the controls on the binnacle
top and the steering wheel just slightly to port. Hanging underneath the
roof is a protected box where you
can install your electronics. There is a
windshield for your comfort and
space for your engine instruments
and switches down the front face.
Surprisingly, inside the centre console is
space for a Sanipotti head and there is a
locking door as well as storage to keep
valuables safe when you are away from
the boat.
These boats tend to be driven from a
standing position but the helm seat is
actually quite comfortable for seated
operation. I particularly liked the
footrest.
By the way, Grady-White uses a
warm buff color for the gel coat
rather than a bright white. It may not
seem like a big difference but in the
dazzling Florida sun it is a lot easier
on your eyes.
The back of the helm seat has
tackle storage, a locker for larger
items, a very sturdy handhold for
standing passengers and rod holders
for four fishing rods. A great feature is
the padded inwales all the way
around. Toe rails are included too, so
fishermen can secure themselves
while landing fish.
Landing a big fish is always a challenge and the aft swim platform is
best for that. But it is a multifunctional
area – perfect for swimming, family
water skiing and wakeboarding duties
and the design adds a great safety
measure – keeping a following sea
from entering the cockpit.
Grady-White includes a sturdy
fibreglass transom door and on the
transom top is both a large bait well
and a big aerated live well. A neat
feature is the bench seat that can fold
out of the way when you’re fishing.
Of the boats we featured in this issue
of Trailer Boating Canada, the
Grady-White is certainly at the high-end with a Canadian selling price as
tested of approximately $92,000, but
Grady is internationally recognized for
the quality and utility of their boats.
Teamed with the amazing new
Yamaha 350 hp V8 outboard, this is a
class act from stem to stern. You can
expect years of trouble-free pleasure
out of this blue water rocket. ●
