Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White Escape 209 2008 vs Grady-White Freedom 255 2010: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White Escape 209 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 350 hp, the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 has a 100-hp advantage over the Grady-White Escape 209 2008's 250-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 Freedom 255 2010 carries 150 gallons versus 82 gallons in the Grady-White Escape 209 2008. 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 Freedom 255 2010 is rated for 7 passengers, while the Grady-White Escape 209 2008 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 Freedom 255 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 7 passengers and at 24,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Grady-White Escape 209 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeGrady-White
MakeGrady-White
ModelEscape 209
ModelFreedom 255
Model Year2008
Model Year2010
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 1 in.
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.46
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches97
Beam - Inches102
Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 9 in. T-top: 7 ft. 8 in.
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.34
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches92
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 25 in.
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - Centimeters63.5
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Inches25
Depth - Inches27
Draft [max] - Detail15 in.
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.38
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches15
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail2,600 lbs.
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1179.34
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2600
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 10 in.
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)
Length - Feet20
Length - Feet24.75
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in.
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 9 in.
Length overall - Meters6.2
Length overall - Meters7.54
Length overall - Inches244
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 - Detail82 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters310.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Gal82
Fuel tank capacity - Gal150
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max250 hp
Engine max350 hp (261 kW)