![blackfin boat owners forum blackfin boat owners forum](http://www.blackfinforums.com/sites/default/files/blue-marlin-small_0.png)
Moreover, omit the reclining port side bolster seat and get a Deluxe Captain Chair on the port side to match the starboard Captain's chair and you will have substantially more space for guests and still have plenty of seating capacity in the GW. You will find the Robalo to have less interior space compared to the GW 225 Tournament since the GW has a bracket mounted F250. For $8K difference in price I might go with the Robalo since you will have less turbulent water conditions on the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. We now have a GW Tournament 225 which we need for fishing at the Race and Watch Hill Reef were there is plenty of difficult water. My wife and I were raised on the Chesapeake Bay and we now live in New England. I will take some time to examine fit and finish differences. I was trying to take advantage of pricing discounts and warranty extensions by making a decision in the winter. No dealer in the Chesapeake seems to be willing to provide sea trials in January, and I do not know if I have the experience to know the difference. What does Robalo do with their transom design that you find to be a negative? I noticed the 275 Grady does have the walk thru, but for a first boat I thought a 225 would be a good starter. Your comment on the transom walkthru was one of the differences I noticed, but having little experience I did not know how important that would be. My specs, including wetted length, came from internet research which may be incorrect-the info suggested the running surface on the Grady was 19'9" which may have something to do with the bracket.
![blackfin boat owners forum blackfin boat owners forum](https://www.blackfinboats.com/zupload/site-options/21.png)
BLACKFIN BOAT OWNERS FORUM TRIAL
Having looked at Pursuits, Regulators, Cobalts and even a Hinkley(my first sea trial before they told me the price!), the choices are somewhat overwhelming to a novice. I am still leaning toward the Grady but I just want to make sure that Grady's reputation is worth the difference. I was focusing on the Grady when I noticed the Robalo on the dealer's lot.
![blackfin boat owners forum blackfin boat owners forum](https://media.iyba.pro/images/2772952_e29f20b3_5.jpg)
At the end of the day I guarantee that you will have your answer as to whether or not the GW is worth $8,000 more, no doubt about it. Go drive both boats, sea trial both on the same day in the same conditions and put them through their paces.
BLACKFIN BOAT OWNERS FORUM PLUS
On practical design I see a major plus and minus to both boats, the Robalo has a walk through transom, the GW does not which to me is an absolute requirement, on the other hand the Robalo design looses a lot of valuable room with their transom design.Īs for specifications, I agree on the beam width but do not know how you conclude that the wetted length on the Robalo is longer with an LOA of 21'6 against the GW with 22'2" plus the bracket? In the final analysis it does not matter, do not get all hung up on specifications of dead rise, beam and length, you’re splitting hairs at this level. On aesthetic design I like the look of the GW much better but that’s my opinion, yours is the only one that counts here. Site down the hulls on both boats are they straight or does one wave at you. Look at how both companies finish below decks how they execute their through hull connections, wind shield installation, wiring, bimini hardware ect. Look hard at the quality of components used on both boats and decide for yourself which is better. Next, from my observations over the years the fit, finish and overall quality of the GW is better than that of the Robalo. In the past that was Pursuit, as of December it became GW because GW offered a better product for my wants and needs at the time I was ready to buy. I purchase from the firm that builds the best design and best quality boat for my needs at the time when I am ready to purchase.