Grady-White Freedom 285: Review

By combining proven fishing performance with creature comforts, Grady-White has created a gun saltwater crossover. Twin 300hp Yamaha V6 outboards add vigour, while Yammie’s fully integrated Helm Master joystick is among a long list of options that create a cutting-edge luxury dayboat that does it all.

OVERVIEW
- The Freedom to do it all
The just-appointed new Grady-White dealer in NSW, Short Marine, went in all guns blazing at the 50th Sydney International Boat Show in July, 2017. Among its centre-console line-up was this neat Freedom 285 dual console and dual-outboard rig.

The name says it all — this bluewater crossover boat gives you the freedom to do it all — but as the boat has emerged from Grady-White’s fishing stable it's more qualified than some to head offshore.

Such has been the popularity of these excellent crossover boats, with serious-fishing pedigree and performance, that the aptly named Freedom range contains some of the best-selling models in the entire Grady-White fleet today.

Now matter how you look at it, the Freedom 285 is a beautifully executed crossover. Following an afternoon charging around the at-times-bumpy Sydney Harbour, and then bounding out through The Heads, this boat had us crossing over, too.

Compared with other offerings in the burgeoning multi-purpose boat genre, the Grady definitely has North Carolina heritage. There’s a flared bow, plenty of freeboard, a sweeping sheerline, and a well-balanced cockpit. The hardtop is the cherry on top.

But it’s not until you get aboard that you find all the goodies. Our test boat was loaded with them to create a true luxury SUV of the Sea.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A luxury social boat with fishing function
Grady-White boats comes pre-rigged for Yamaha outboards. The twin V6 300hp Yamahas, up from the base 250hp models, give a top speed of 48 knots or more than 55mph, according to the factory supplied data.

But it’s more the mid-range passenger hauling grunt that makes these twin 300hp outboards a great choice. That performance, and the on-board amenities, set this boat apart from other crossovers.

The big options included Yamaha’s impressive Helm Master joystick docking and driving system. It’s a $20k spend, but everyone’s going joystick in the U.S. so expect more of it on outboard boats Down Under.

This latest Helm Master joystick controller had the Set Point feature with Fish Point, Drift Point and Stay Point that lets you hold station various ways, maintain heading and virtually anchoring. The system is dynamite for hovering above wrecks or reefs and jigging or just holding station after finding a patch of fish on the drift.

For that purpose and navigation, the test boat had a 16in Garmin 16in MFD screen — a radar dome would be nice — as well as Yamaha’s flagship CL7 7in touchscreen colour display. The boat also had the must-have Convenience package for battery charger and shorepower with 220V factory wiring.

For the family, there was a fully moulded hardtop with SureShade cockpit awning, a refrigerator in the cockpit wetbar, a bow filler cushion to create a sunpad, and full covers. But while you pay a premium for all that, Grady-White obviously packs a lot aboard at factory level. Check the standard specs to see what we mean.

As for pricing, the test boat had a ticket of $379k with the upgraded twin 300hp Yammies and all that kit. The base price with 250hp Yamahas is as low as $299k. But you will want the hardtop and Garmin if nothing else.

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Fishing amenities include rod storage in the tee-top frame, a 127lt insulated fish/ice box with overboard drain in the bow, an even bigger 175lt number back aft, a 120lt live well, gaff and net storage in the cockpit (and in the enclosed lock-up bathroom), integrated tackle trays, raw-water wash-down, padded coamings and toe kicks, and gunwale-mounted through-bolted rod holders.

The family features come in strong via the bow seating with infill to create a sunpad or the addition of the table for lunch. The cockpit seating includes a flip-down transom lounge and a super-cool back-to-back passenger seat with an electric aft lounger extension (retracted you get the full cockpit for fishing). The helm seat is also electrically adjustable and the boat has a wiper and freshwater washer.

The shaded amenities centre with Corian counter packs a sink and the upgraded fridge, while the lockable step-down head on the portside is a luxury number, with electric toilet, macerator, holding tank, nice bathroom fittings and that off-duty rod storage.

The integrated swim platform and </br
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freshwater cockpit shower cater for swims, while sturdy stainless-steel grab rails, a self-stow anchor with windlass, LED lighting, 12V accessory and USB outlets, drinkholders, plus a decent sound system with MP3 and Bluetoothm are all useful standard kit. There’s also a digital Captain Grady boat operation guide for your iPad and iPhone.

But you don't need any tuition to see the flowing bow-to-stern layout with abundant seating for 12 will work like a charm. Whether it’s the Whitsundays, Broken Bay, Sydney Harbour, Port Phillip Bay or Rottnest Island, the Freedom 285 won’t balk from long-range, offshore, coastal duties. And with a sweet hull and engineering, you get to travel with comfort.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- A 28-footer with serious engineering
Measuring 28ft down the centreline without engines, this Freedom 285 is big boat with self-draining decks. The Raymond Hunt hulls is a variable deadrise design with 19 degrees at the transom. You get a fine entry for slicing the waves, flared top sides to help shed water, and stability at rest.

Hull construction is all hand-laid GRP with a composite stringer and transom system designed to be impervious to water. Through-hull fittings are stainless steel, the deck hardware is all 316 and through-bolted, and the boat doesn’t rattle, shudder or thump.

The inherent sense of seaworthiness and safety will mean a lot when fishing and family boating. With the high freeboard, you don’t sit atop this boat so much as within it. And with 761ltr of fuel, you can range beyond your backyard for adventure cruises and fishing expeditions.

Another thing to note is resale. Grady-White boats command a premium throughout their life, partly because you just don’t hear of any quality control or manufacturing issues.

ON THE WATER
- A contagious sense of Freedom
The highlight is the ride and drive. As Manly ferries crisscrossed The Heads, and a reasonable wind and swell rolled in from afar, the Freedom 285 with twin 300hp Yamaha outboards hit its straps.
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Top speed was almost 48 knots or 55mph, so this is a rocket with the twin V6 300hp Yamahas. Commanding attention with an ‘I’m-an-offshore-boater” attitude, the 28ft twin rig has power and poise.

Meantime, the Yamaha Helm Master joystick is there to make your marina manoeuvring a pro-level act, too.

While I took this boat solo using the twin throttles, newbies will find joy in the stick. Yet with a bow thruster listed as an option, you could save a packet going that route instead.

Why I would buy the Helm Master is for the station-holding and heading function. The days of having to anchor over a deep reef while jigging for kingfish, coral trout or Samson fish are no more. Use the Set Point feature and hover above.

Late in the day, the boat was inspirational at rest. There are lounges, views, shade, cold drinks, and an easy entry to the water. A windlass makes anchoring easy, too.

Tucked in behind the high-aspect safety-glass windscreen, the Freedom 285 just glides up to planning speed and sounds like a jet aircraft with the twin V6s in harmony as you power up.

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Trolling speed at 1500-2000rpm and 7.4-8.6 knots will see you burn about
20lt/hr with the twins. You could run on one engine and alternative the
hours.

At 2500rpm, you’re planning at 13.3 knots. Low-speed cruise is at 3000rpm for a fast 21.55
knots. Your combined burn of 48lt/hr gives a range of 307nm from 90 per
cent of the 761lt tank.

Optimum cruise is 3500rpm and
26.7 knots, where you’re burning 62lt/hr for a safe range of about 300nm. Inshore, you
might sit on 31.5 knots at 4000rpm for 83lt/hr. Of course, above
4000rpm you start to chew through it.

At 4500rpm, you get 36.15 knots
for 112lt/hr and 5000rpm sees 40.2 knots fast cruising for 137lt/hr. Then 48 knots flat out.

But the nice thing to note here is the responsiveness in the 3000-3500rpm range, meaning you’ve got plenty of power to shift a big crowd in this high-volume crossover.

Meantime, I sensed no banging, thumps or thuds. There was no spray lashing the windscreen. The boat carved a path offshore, while hydraulic trim tabs and twin legs let you adjust for heel and uneven load.

Off-the-wheel handling was sporty. It’s a sweet ride and drive.

VERDICT
- A bluewater day cruiser
In the good old days, a lot of the pleasure-boating would get done on 28-footers. The big runabout variants of flybridge cruisers were popular people-movers and party boats.

With today’s refined outboard engines, the 28ft social boat has become more practical. Unlike the low-slung bowriders we once contended with , this high-riding offshore Grady-White is definitely more like an SUV of the Sea.

The North Carolina boatbuilder's pedigree and a good dose of serious fishability soon get you thinking seriously about crossing over. The Freedom 285 is an exemplary Grady-White that can do it all.

Who ever said the secret to happiness is Freedom got that right.

LIKES
>> Sweet performance and handling
>> Superb build quality and attention to detail
>> Seaworthiness for coastal offshore boating
>> Serious fishing features
>> Separate luxury head and convertible seating
>> Yamaha Helm Master technology

NOT SO MUCH
>> You pay a premium for this beautiful Grady-White
>> Yamaha Helm Master is a $20k option
>> Fuel burn up the top end is heavy

RATINGS
Overall rating: 94/100
Mechanical/equipment: 4.8/5
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.9/5
Value for money: 4.2/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0

PERFORMANCE DATA*
RPM        KNOTS        LITRES PER HOUR
1000        5.47            9.84
1500        7.40            16.27
2000        8.60            26.00
2500        13.3            37.47
3000        21.55        48.00
3500        2.6.7            62.08
4000        31.5            83.27
4500        36.15        112.42
5000        40.20        137.03
5500        43.6            171.10
6000        47.9            202.14

Specifications: Grady-White Freedom 285
Price as Tested: $379k with upgraded twin F300 Yamaha 300hp outboards and options including Yamaha Helm Master with Set Point functionality, Convenience Package with battery charger and shorepower, hardtop, marine head, and more.
Price From: $299 with twin F250 Yamaha 250hp outboards
Length Centreline: 8.53m (excluding engines)
Beam: 2.89m
Bridge Clearance: 2.44m
Cockpit Depth: 0.69m
Hull Draft: 0.51m
Transom Deadrise: 19 degrees (SeaV2 variable deadrise hull)
Maximum HP: 2 x 300
Fuel: 761lt
Hull Weight (dry): 2713kg without engines
Engines: Yamaha F300 V6 four-stroke

Supplied by:
Short Marine
Ferguson’s Marina,
The Spit, Mosman, Sydney
More at www.shortmarine.com.au.