note: these photos and words from AOMCI and some photos are from D. Durpresne, M. Squier, and R. Eichrodt

2011 model year Grady-White boat

The Freedom is a Grady-White family cruiser

Grady-White Launches “Ultimate in Versatility,” New 25-Foot Freedom 255 Comfort-Filled, Bred-For-the-Ocean Family Cruiser

Specs: 24’ 9” with a 8’ 6” beam, fuel capacity is 153 gal., weight without a motor is 4,375 lbs. Built to take and work well with the Yamaha 350 Hp outboard

A Grady–White spokesperson is quoted by seabuddy…

“…Aboard the Freedom 255, there is roomy bulk storage under the bow seating for all kinds of gear–you name it. The starboard console offers a big bulk storage area roomy enough for camping gear, beach toys and more. The stand up enclosed head area in the port console is roomy and convenient for a day on the water with the family. There is plenty of room in that head area for fishing rods plus storage nets and bulk storage areas… “

Seabuddy says…I test drove the last new boat from Grady-White in South Florida in Feburary and that one’s ride set a new standard for ride and handling for me in its class. This one should prove to be another class leading winner from the Grady-White…”

more to come in another post

1959 Lyman outboard 17'

Offered only for two model years, 1959 and 1960, the 17’ which could take a 75 Hp Evinrude outboard was sandwiched between the 16 1/2’ Lyman model rated for up to a 60 Hp outboard and the Lyman 18’ often powered by twin 35-45 Hp Outboards.

It is a handy boat, lightweight, easy to trailer, and seating five with a large space to walk around in mid-cockpit, between the front and rear seats. A splash well was built-in with this model.

These boats were finished with a special color Lyman exclusive stain and varnished deck, seats, and windshield and a semi-gloss white paint on the lapstrake (clinker-built) hull sides.

Lyman Boats was at its production peak in 1955, with over 5,000 boats produced in sizes from 13’ to 20’ in length. As the founding family died and fiberglass took the lead as the matieral of choice for small boats, Lyman Boats made their last boat in 1973. Bernard Lyman built his first boat in 1873, and by 1875, boat building was his full time way to make a living, according to Tom Koroknay, now known as “Doc Lyman”, the Lyman expert. Note: While Bernard was the founder, his son, Bill, led the company to great heights during his time in mgt.

nice boat! its the new Chris Craft

World-wide, most would use the Mercury Verado supercharged outboards for the service support. Here in the USA, most would go with twin 250 Hp Yamaha outboards. Chris Craft also offers this boat sans any engines at about a $31,500 less of a price.

another angle

This 21 degree v hull is 29’5” by 10’ 2” and weights in at 8,000 to 8,500 lbs with engines.

nice seating and layout

A special option is a set of outriggers for fishing. Just think, fishing from your Chris Craft!

Sharp Helm layout

Known for its good ride in the ocean, this Chris Craft new boat model may signal a new direction for a top –of-the-line Chris Craft brand.

Top power for its all up weight

biggest grunt fromall that displacememt

new stuff for big outboards

This is the cheapest set-up that Bayliner boats and Mercury outboards offers. That is its reason for being. In Chris Brown (seabuddy) opinion that is not a good enough reason to buy it.

Perhaps a new – to – boating family are looking for a boat at a budget. This one should be in the $15,000 range once the family gets the 90 Hp Mercury Marine engine, Sun Top, and the bow and cockpit canvas covers that every boater needs.

That is perhaps a reason to look at it.

A family will want the 90 Hp Mercury Marine engine for all around use. There is no question about that. Figure on “kids only” water sports, not Mom or Dad with the standard engine. Also, you must keep any friends on the pier with the small standard engine. No satisfaction in either of these situations. Buy it, dislike the boating experience, and that’s it. Boats and boating is out of your life until the grandkids come along. Figure on a 18 – 20 mph cruising speed and very low fuel consumption. The standard engine will break 30 mph at WOT and the optional 90 Hp Mercury Marine out board engine will go much faster – she will break 40 mph easily and that’s with a family onboard.

Set your budget at $25,000 and get a Bayliner boat and Mercury inboard outboard, sterndrive V-6 engine with standard power steering and the Mercury Marine Mercruiser Alpha I sterndrive in a Bayliner 185 and the family has a good starter boat package and one that will bring years of exploring, cruising, and everyone gets to do ALL the water sports for years to come. Lots of family fun and go boating is a joy.

 BTW, marine exhaust manifolds and other marine parts are widely available for all these Mercury Marine engines.

note the optional sun top shown

185 Bayliner with sterndrive offers more seating

What you can not see is the NuV3 hull design that Scout Boats uses to make this bow rider miserly with fuel.

Scout Boats power matches their boats to Yamaha outboard motors, and in this case use a 250 Hp Yamaha outboard. This set-up delivers a best cruising speed at 25 – 27 mph at a low (for an outboard) 3,500 rpm and a WOT speed that touches 50 mph.

Note the cockpit storage, under-cockpit storage, and the raised helm seat.

Also look at that bow rail!

The bow rider cockpit storage area also has a unique fold-out entertainment table that needs to be seen in person.

Grade White, with its unique SeaV2 hull bottom shape designed for them by C. Raymond Hunt Associates gives a ride that needs to be experienced on your local waters Its really different in several ways from other v hulls that in the first 10 minutes you will know you have experienced something special from a great boat builder.

Power one with the new, 4.2 Yamaha 250 Hp outboard and experience the next generation in four stroke outboards. Cruise at a whisker under 30 mph for best fuel economy and expect to hit 45 mph with the throttle all the way open, WOT, light load.

This is a new design (the Freedom 255) coming from Grady White. It’s a bow rider (or dual console, in Grady White speak) that comes with a motor well, not a bracket mount outboard design. LOA will be 24’ 9”, beam, 8’ 6” and an outboard motor 30” shaft length for a single outboard powered boat.

Yamaha’s new 4.2 liter outboard motor comes in at 558 lbs dry weight. Use mid-grade gas and get 250 Hp at 5,500 rpm. This outboard is a three star CARB engine.

They are now here…the 2010 Crownline boats! This is a 2010 model Crownline boat bow rider. She really moves along with the 260 Hp Mercury Marine and inboard outboard Alpha drive. Been waiting for the 2010s Crownline boats? Wait no more.

More words and another photo on the second page.

She is narrow and needle nosed with a 7’ 8” beam and a LOA of 19’ 5”. The degree vee in the bottom is only eighteen degrees for more speed. So long, narrow, and medium vee…all for speed. Match the boat hull with 260 Hp or go smaller for a lower price. The 135 Hp in a Mercury Marine four cylinder Chevy block is the beginning engine. Merc’s Alpha inboard outboard drive is the right choice. Do not forget to get some canvas and a Bimini top, as well as a great selection of other options when you go Crownline boats for 2010.

Note, Crownline went out of business in December, 2008. New owners are now in place and they started building boats for the 2010 model year on October, 14, 2009.

Eight outboards on one boat?

No, it looks that way, but its two center console boats with four outboards each, slipped next to each other.