Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White 281 CE 2022 vs Grady-White Freedom 225 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White 281 CE 2022 vs Grady-White Freedom 225 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 300 hp for the Grady-White 281 CE 2022 and 300 hp for the Grady-White Freedom 225 2013. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Grady-White Freedom 225 2013 carries 96 gallons versus 16 gallons in the Grady-White 281 CE 2022. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Grady-White 281 CE 2022 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Grady-White Freedom 225 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Grady-White 281 CE 2022 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White 281 CE 2022 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 27,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Grady-White Freedom 225 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail27.70 ft
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2 in. (6.76 m)
Length - Feet27.7
Length - Feet22.17
Length overall - Meters8.44
Length overall - Meters6.76
Length overall - Inches332
Length overall - Inches266
Beam9.40 ft
Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)
Beam - Meters2.87
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches113
Beam - Inches96
Draft [max] - Detail1.90 ft
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 16 in. (0.41 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Inches23
Draft [max] - Inches16
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 6 in. (1.68 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters1.68
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches66
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 25 in. (0.64 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches25
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailWithout Engine: 3,450 lbs. (1,565 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1564.89
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.345
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal96
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters363.4
Engine makeYamaha
Engine makenot available
Engine modelFour-Stroke
Engine modelnot available
Horsepower300 hp
Horsepowernot available
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine 2 Engine MakeYamaha
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelFour-Stroke
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail96 gal. (363 l)
Engine maxnot available
Engine max300 hp (224 kW)
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeGrady-White
Modelnot available
ModelFreedom 225
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2013
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee