Grady-White’s new Freedom 325 emerges from evaluation as an excellent dual-console boat and one more reason for the company to win customer-satisfaction awards. It’s definitely beautiful with its upturned bow designed to ease through the treacherous passes of the Carolinas. The sheer line sweeps back and down in a graceful curve to the deep, but not too deep, secure cockpit — you can wire a fish over the side with your feet tucked firmly under the toe rails.
The deck is low enough to fish but still high enough that you can tip dual Yamaha 300 outboards completely clear of the water — a feature essential to the long life of outboards. The platform is deep enough to give easy access to both motors, so cowls can be lifted to check the oil and filters underneath. The ladder nested on the starboard side can be deployed from the water, a saving grace for a person overboard.
The hardtop boasts integrated supports that keep it sleek, and a grab rail runs from the hardtop to the dash, providing a secure grip for extra stability in rougher waters. Polished stainless-steel chrome and powder-coated supports add flash and elegance.
Grady-White boats are known for their many safety features, like solid all-composite construction and general flotation designed to keep the vessel afloat in an emergency. Grady-White never misses an opportunity to promote the SeaV2 hull, but we’ve actually never felt that they’ve overstated its benefits. The variable-deadrise hull progresses from 20-degree deadrise at the transom to a sharp wave-cleaving stem at the bow. The latter smooths the ride while the running surface stretches across the waves, cleaving the water.
Spacious seating with best-in-class vinyl upholstery and firm resilient foam cushions means luxury for cruisers in command-deck seating as well as those in fold-out cockpit seats.
There is plenty of tackle storage, rod holders ideally positioned for fishing and a powerful baitwell. Beauty, safety, fishability and luxury are the four pillars of Grady-White’s success — and of the happiness of folks who own Grady-White boats.
High Points
- Grady-White’s custom livewell includes top-to-bottom plenum that keeps water circulating, eliminating dead zones that kill bait.
- Custom hardtop has integrated tempered glass and is ready to receive outriggers.
Price: $342,185
How We Tested
Engines: Twin Yamaha F300s
Drive/Props: Outboard/SWS II 15.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 14 gal.
Crew Weight: 700 lb.
Grady-White Boats – Greenville, North Carolina; 252-752-2111; gradywhite.com
