Grady-White Chase 273 2008 boat specs
Grady-White
Grady-White Chase 273 2008
2008
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VS
Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 boat specs
Grady-White
Grady-White Freedom 255 2010
2010
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Grady-White Chase 273 2008 vs Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Grady-White Chase 273 2008 vs Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 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 500 hp, the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 has a 150-hp advantage over the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010'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 2008 carries 205 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010. 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 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 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 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 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 2010 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 Year2008
Model Year201
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. T-top: 8 ft. 3 in
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.51
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches99
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inches27
Draft [max] - Detail20 in
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches2
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail4,843 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg2196.75
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.4843
Weight - lbs.not available
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
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise20° at transom
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail205 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters776.01
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Gal205
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max500 hp
Engine max350 hp (261 kW)

Grady-White Chase 273 2008 vs Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 or the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010?
The Grady-White Chase 273 2008 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 comes in at 24,8 feet, making it roughly 1,3 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Grady-White Chase 273 2008 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 tops out at 350 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Grady-White Chase 273 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 is certified for 7. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 and Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 or the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010?
The Grady-White Chase 273 2008 has the bigger tank at 205 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010. That 190-gallon difference translates to roughly 570–950 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 and Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Grady-White Chase 273 2008 and the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 are built by Grady-White. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.