Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 vs Grady-White Marlin 300 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White Freedom 255 2010 vs Grady-White Marlin 300 2008 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 700 hp, the Grady-White Marlin 300 2008 has a 350-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 Freedom 255 2010 carries 15 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Grady-White Marlin 300 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 Marlin 300 2008 is rated for 9 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 Marlin 300 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White Marlin 300 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 3,0 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
ModelFreedom 255
ModelMarlin 3
Model Year201
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam10 ft. 7 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters3.23
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches127
Deadrise20° at transom
Deadrisenot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - DetailCockpit: 29 in
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inches29
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 10 in. (2.39 m)
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. 6 in
Length - Feet24.75
Length - Feet3
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 9 in
Length overall - Detail30 ft. 6 in. Pulpit: 32 ft. 7 in
Length overall - Meters7.54
Length overall - Meters9.93
Length overall - Inches297
Length overall - Inches391
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailHardtop: 9 ft. 9 in
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.97
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches117
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Detail23 in
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Inches23
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail8,221 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg3728.98
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.8221
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches6
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max350 hp (261 kW)
Engine max700 hp