"Harry.Krause" wrote in message
...

Last week, Gene mentioned Grady-White's new 36' Express, which sounded
like one hell of a boat. Well, my friendly neighborhood GW dealer has one
in stock, sitting up in its yard. Trip Yamaha 250 four cycles.

It is an amazing boat, and even more amazing is the fact that the dealer
ordered it on spec. He's dropping it into the water this weekend, if the
weather is good, and predicts that it will be sold by next Monday.

About $380k as equipped from the factory, and a guess of another $40,000
for electronics. I don't know if it is standard, but this one had a bow
thruster, the first I've ever seen on a Grady.

A great ride for the bucks, and a good buy, when you consider what other
big-time 36-foot express style fishing boats are going with twin diesels.


I live on a canal that has some shallow water to run through to the Gulf (3
1/2 feet draft max on *low* tide). These outboard-powered boats are an
attractive option, but I'd never buy one with triple engines. The maintance
costs alone on those four-strokes would cost almost $3000/yr. And the fuel
costs would be insane. They wouldn't get the life that a diesel would get,
so I'd be replacing them in 5 to 7 years...to the tune of another $50-60k.

You might say "hey, people who can afford $400k for a boat, don't have to
worry about the maintenance and fuel". Bunk.

When it's time for me to move up, I'll be buying an outboard-powered boat
(unless a jet drive Hinckley pops up on the market for cheap), but it will
have two outboards...not three. By then, 300+hp four-strokes should be
commonplace.