Boating — December 2018

SEE THE

VIDEO

SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound

rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level

1000 4.1 4.7 0.8 5.1 5.9 367.6 423.0 1 61

1500 5.6 6.5 1.2 4.7 5.4 338.9 390.0 1 66

2000 6.9 7.9 2.0 3.4 4.0 247.1 284.4 1 70

2500 7.6 8.8 3.2 2.4 2.8 172.1 198.0 1 76

3000 12.5 14.4 4.4 2.8 3.3 204.8 235.6 1 77

3500 18.9 21.7 5.7 3.3 3.8 238.2 274.1 1 80

4000 23.4 26.9 7.3 3.2 3.7 230.6 265.3 1 82

4500 27.7 31.9 9.1 3.0 3.5 219.3 252.4 1 91

5000 30.8 35.4 12.2 2.5 2.9 181.5 208.9 1 94

5500 33.8 38.9 16.0 2.1 2.4 152.1 175.1 1 99

6000 37.0 42.6 20.6 1.8 2.1 129.4 148.9 1 103

MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

High Points

XTransom-mounted retractable tow

pylon adds watersports versatility

to the ride.

XFresh- and raw-water supply helps

keep the crew and deck clean.

XRemovable platform can convert

the forward seating to a sun pad,

or remove the cushions for a

casting platform.

Specs

· LOA: 21'3" · BEAM: 8'6"

· DRY WEIGHT: 3,150 lb. · SEATING/

WEIGHT CAPACITY: 8/1,300 lb.

· FUEL CAPACITY: 80 gal.

How We Tested

ENGINE: Yamaha F200

PROP: Reliance SDS 14.5" x 15"

GEAR RATIO: 2.00:1

FUEL LOAD: 40 gal.

CREW WEIGHT: 450 lb.

Price

$76,315 (base with

test power)

GRADY-WHITE

Freedom 215

Dual Console

At the helm, mount an up to 12-inch

navigation display, a VHF radio and pre-

mium stereo system all within easy reach

of the custom bucket helm seat.

When you want to fi sh on the 215 DC,

there is plenty of room in the cockpit

for battling fi sh, and there’s a powerful

pump-freshening livewell equipped with

Grady’s unique manifold that ensures

top-to-bottom freshwater circulation for

lively bait. Rod holders are plentiful, and if

you get a gaff er on the line, hook your toes

under the styled toe rails and yank him

aboard with confi dence.

Fish it, beach-comb with it, and pull

the kids on skis, then get a babysitter, dress

up, and take this award-winning boat to a

four-star waterfront dinner.

When the National Marine Manufacturers

Association began surveying boat owners

about their experience with boats they

owned, Grady-White Boats was one brand

to receive top honors. And it

has done so every year since.

Grady-W hite’s reputation

is only enhanced by the new

Freedom 215 Dual Console.

Like all Grady-Whites,

the 215 DC is solidly built of

all-composite material and

fi lled with fl otation to make

it as safe as it is smooth-

riding, thanks to the SeaV2

hull design that features

fl at hull surfaces between

strakes. The deadrise

progresses from a sharp

wave-slicing entry to a more

stable angle at the transom,

giving a smooth ride at speed and a

stable fi shing platform at rest. And solid?

Through-bolted hinges, double-thick

hatches, and heavy-duty, stainless-steel

lockable latches keep everything bat-

tened down tight.

Further evidence of Grady-W hite’s

thoughtful construction is the cup- and

rod-holder drain system that whisks rain

or splash water overboard through scup-

pers instead of just draining it to the bilge

like lesser brands.

Topside, the seating is not only durable

with thick vinyl, acrylic board backing

and eff ective drainage to deal with the

elements, but it’s also comfortable thanks

to multidensity foam to soften the ride.

PHOTOS: COURTESY GRADY-WHITE BOATS

GRADY-WHITE BOATS

Greenville, North Carolina; 252-752-2111; gradywhite.com

To watch our
video review of
the Freedom 215
DC, scan this tag
or visit boating
mag.com/bbg18/
gradywhite
freedom215dc.

C

FISHING BOAT BUYERS GUIDE

CERTIFIED

TEST

RESULTS

BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 148 | BOATINGMAG.COM