Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White 281 CE 2022 vs Grady-White Journey 258 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White 281 CE 2022 vs Grady-White Journey 258 2011 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 350 hp, the Grady-White Journey 258 2011 has a 50-hp advantage over the Grady-White 281 CE 2022's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Grady-White Journey 258 2011 carries 127 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 Journey 258 2011 caps at 7. 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 Journey 258 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail27.70 ft
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 9 in. (7.54 m))
Length - Feet27.7
Length - Feet24.75
Length overall - Meters8.44
Length overall - Meters7.54
Length overall - Inches332
Length overall - Inches297
Beam9.40 ft
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.87
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches113
Beam - Inches102
Draft [max] - Detail1.90 ft
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 20 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Inches23
Draft [max] - Inches2
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 6 in. (1.98 m) With Hardtop: 8 ft. 8 in. (2.64 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.64
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches104
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches27
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailWithout Engine: 4,320 lbs. (1,960 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1959.52
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.432
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal127
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters480.75
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 - Detail127 gal. (481 l)
Engine maxnot available
Engine max350 hp (261 kW)
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeGrady-White
Modelnot available
ModelJourney 258
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2011
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee