From The Helm: 2005 Grady White Fisherman 222

I bought a 2005 Grady White Fisherman 222 four years ago as my first motorized boat. I fish about 200 hours a year in Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, and off the west coast of Florida. Many non-fishing days, I like to float in the harbor or anchor up at a beach for sun and swimming. I trailer it to and from Florida on a twin-axle Load-Rite trailer; the 8-foot beam is within the limit so that I do not need a special permit in any states that I pass through.

Why a Grady White?

I knew little about boats when I set off to buy one. The names Grady White and Boston Whaler came up most often among friends as quality brands, so I looked for something reasonably priced from either. I had also been told that a head was “required,” or else the wife, kids and friends would not join me boating, I followed this advice and can say that it was a good thing I did, for while the head is rarely used, it is required when recruiting a female “crew.”
I quickly narrowed my choice down to a three-year-old, fully loaded Grady White Fisherman and a new Boston Whaler Dauntless 200. I ended up buying the Grady White because the dealer, Baert Marine, responded to my question of “What’s your best price?” with an attractive offer while the Whaler dealer would not negotiate.
Over four years several Grady White dealers along the East Coast have helped me with various questions, parts, and minor problems. I can now say that my decision was a great one. Baert Marine and every other Grady White dealer that I have interacted with has been helpful, knowledgeable, and fair.

The Basics

The Grady White Fisherman 222 is a 22-foot, 2-inch T-top with a Yamaha 225 HP engine. It has a full suite of Raymarine electronics (UHF radio, fishfinder, and radar), plenty of storage and space for fishing, plenty of power, and a head inside the console. (It’s a small space, but that has never been an issue when the head was needed.) It does not have the baitwell option, which I worried about at first but quickly found to be a good thing because I needed the storage space for my many lure containers. I found that using a separate cooler with an electric pump worked just fine as a baitwell. However, boaters that fish live bunker often may find my baitwell solution less than ideal.

Positives

Deck Space for Fishing: I fish the entire season in New England and winters in Florida, so I see all types of weather. I fish for most inshore fish, both bottom-fishing and casting, so the 360-degree deck space is really helpful. It’s not uncommon to hook a nice striper from the side of the bow and land it on the adjacent stern. And when there is more than one person fishing, the space really pays off.

Flat Foredeck: The foredeck of the Fisherman is flat across the entire space so I can fish off the bow without worrying about falling into a foot well—trust me that when you have a big fish on the line, the last thing that you are thinking about is your footing. It also increases storage space.

Electronics: I have the larger Raymarine C80, 8.4-inch display with a full set of electronics: chart, VHF, fishfinder, and radar. I use the chart all the time, and the radar I use rarely but with the most benefit.  I have gotten caught in fog many times. The radio is needed for periodic weather checks and possible emergencies, the fishfinder is always on and helpful finding bottom contours.

16-inch Draft: I have learned that not drawing too much water and being able to get my engine up pays off when I am fishing the back waters in Florida, heading to a beach in New England, or untangling a lobster pot line. Since I did mention Florida, I have to expand and say that the Fisherman is great for inshore fishing in the Gulf but only fair for fishing the inland bays where you need a flat boat to get up into the shallows.

Layout of the Center Console: I often boat alone, so easy access to the most important controls and things that I use is essential. Standing or sitting at the captain’s bench, I can easily see the large Raymarine display protected inside the center console. I do prop the door open when there’s not a lot of spray as the Plexiglas cover does interfere some. I also use this space for storing my most used papers like fishing regulations. On the top surface I place my tools for cutting braid or a lobster pot line in an emergency, my water bottle, a jar for discarded line, my fishing log, and anything else I need to reach quickly. The front windshield keeps everything dry and in place when it gets windy. Hanging from the T-top is a large enclosure where I keep the VHF radio and the fog horn.

Storage: I live over an hour from my boat so leaving necessities on the boat is really helpful, however,  this requires lots of storage. In the bow, there is the anchor well and three huge storage spaces reached by doors in the decking. These have drainage and were probably designed as fish boxes but I use a large cooler for that purpose. I really appreciate these large storage spaces using them for everything from rain gear to extra lines. Inside the center console, in addition to the head, is a nice sized recessed space that I use for containers of medical and cleaning supplies, fuel additives, dog treats, and my container of emergency flares. Next, there is a space under the foot rest for charts and a huge space under the captain’s bench seat where I keep a half-dozen or more large lure containers along with containers for my livewell pump, binoculars, etc. In two stern wells, I keep everything from suntan lotion to my artificial lures. Finally, along the gunwales I use the open space for fishing weights, which I keep in plastic food storage containers, cleaning brushes, and anything with a pole. I keep a large cooler between the stern seats and use it for bait and fish.

High Gunwales: Certainly one benefit of higher gunwales is keeping kids and dogs in the boat, but I find it also very helpful when I am fighting a big fish or leaning over to grab a hooked fish. It is also useful when the afternoon chop in Buzzards Bay builds.

Power and Mileage: I boat a lot and often travel 15 to 20 miles to a fishing spot, so speed and fuel cost are important. The Yamaha 225 seems a good balance between the two. I have never wanted more power. Going 35 mph is fast enough for me, and averaging 2.6 to 2.9 mpg hasn’t broken my bank account. I take my dealer’s advice about the complexity of these engines and leave the service to a professional, which can easily run $400 or more every 100 to 150 hours.

Fuel Tank Size: The Fisherman has 96 gallons and I wouldn’t want less. During much of the best striper months I am out at sunrise and often back after the fuel dock has closed, so a smaller tank would cut into my fishing time.

Seating: I have a two-person bench seat in front of the T-Top, single flip out seats in the stern (one each port and starboard) and the captain’s bench. So far we have never wanted more.

Quality: My experience is that Grady White is first class and does not cut corners—from the quality of the fiberglass hull, to the hardware used, and to all the little things like applying silicon to the screws used in the cover to the rear wells. These things mean quality, and more importantly that a boat will last. My only repair in four years has been the bilge pump float switch. I did replace the batteries, but that is expected. In addition to the routine engine service, I am religious about flushing the engine and washing the boat after each use. I have it professionally waxed each year so the boat looks like it’s new.

Rod Holders: I carry anywhere from two to eight rods, so I appreciate having four holders on the T-top, four behind the captain’s bench seat, two on each side of the front bench seat, and two along each gunwale.

Negatives

Function Switches: The Fisherman has its switches for everything from the bilge pump to the fresh water supply conveniently placed along the along the center console. Unfortunately I sometimes accidently switch one on and do not realize it until much later. I wish that there was a better indication that a switch was on, such as a bright red indicator on it.

Weather Protection: Inherent in any T-top is limited protection against the elements. With only the windshield to protect me, I get wet and my glasses fog up during inclement days. I could add clear vinyl in front and around the sides but decided that less is better and just accept the T-top for what it is.

Ocean Fishing: The Fisherman, at 22 feet with a single engine, has proved great for where I fish. I choose not to take it out farther from shore, for I would want a larger boat in case of a sudden weather change.

The 22-foot center console  with a 225 horsepower engine has been perfect for my fishing needs, and choosing a Grady White with a Yamaha engine has proved a wise and affordable decision for me. Grady White discontinued the Fisherman 222 in 2011, but they now offer a slightly smaller 209, which includes a head just like my 222, and the larger 230, which is 2 inches longer than my 222 but adds an extra 6 inches of beam.