Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White Chase 273 2007 vs Grady-White Freedom 255 2011: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White Chase 273 2007 vs Grady-White Freedom 255 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Grady-White Chase 273 2007 at 26,0 ft versus Grady-White Freedom 255 2011 at 24,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Grady-White Chase 273 2007 tips the scales at 4 843 lbs - 384 lbs more than the Grady-White Freedom 255 2011 at 4 459 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Grady-White Chase 273 2007 has a 150-hp advantage over the Grady-White Freedom 255 2011's 350-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 Chase 273 2007 carries 205 gallons versus 153 gallons in the Grady-White Freedom 255 2011. 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 Chase 273 2007 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Grady-White Freedom 255 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 Chase 273 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White Chase 273 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Grady-White Freedom 255 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.
General Boat Info
MakeGrady-White
MakeGrady-White
ModelChase 273
ModelFreedom 255
Model Year2007
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in.
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 9 in. (with T-top 8 ft. 3 in.)
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Hardtop: 5 ft. 7 in. (1.7 m) Without Hardtop: 7 ft. 8 in. (2.34 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Deadrise18.5℃ with SeaV℃ hull (continuously variable vee)
Deadrise20° at transom
Draft [max] - Detail17 in.
Draft [max] - Detail20 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.43
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Inches17
Draft [max] - Inches20
Weight - Detail4,843 lbs.
Weight - Detail4,459 lbs. (2,023 kg)
Weight - kg2196.75
Weight - kg2022.57
Weight - lbs.4843
Weight - lbs.4459
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 10 in.
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet24.75
Length - Inches11
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 11 in.
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 9 in.
Length overall - Meters8.2
Length overall - Meters7.54
Length overall - Inches323
Length overall - Inches297
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches27
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail205 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail153 gal. (579 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters776.01
Fuel tank capacity - Liters579.17
Fuel tank capacity - Gal205
Fuel tank capacity - Gal153
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max500 hp
Engine max350 hp (261 kW)