Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White Freedom 285 2012 vs Grady-White Seafarer 226 2007: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White Freedom 285 2012 vs Grady-White Seafarer 226 2007 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 600 hp, the Grady-White Freedom 285 2012 has a 350-hp advantage over the Grady-White Seafarer 226 2007'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 285 2012 carries 218 gallons versus 92 gallons in the Grady-White Seafarer 226 2007. 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 285 2012 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Grady-White Seafarer 226 2007 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 285 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White Freedom 285 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Grady-White Seafarer 226 2007 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
ModelFreedom 285
ModelSeafarer 226
Model Year2012
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.89 m)
Beam8 ft.
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches114
Beam - Inches96
Depth - DetailCockpit: 27 in. (0.69 m)
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - Centimeters68.58
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Inches27
Depth - Inchesnot available
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 20 in. (0.51 m)
Draft [max] - Detail16 in.
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Inches20
Draft [max] - Inches16
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. (2.74 m)
Width [transom] - Detail7 ft. 11 in.
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail28 ft. (8.53 m)
Length overall - Detail22 ft. 2 in.
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters6.76
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches266
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Detail6 ft. 2 in. (with hardtop 8 ft. 4 in.)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.54
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches100
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise20℃ with SeaV℃ hull (continuously variable vee)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail3,385 lbs.
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1535.41
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.3385
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches2
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail218 gal. (825 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail92 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters825.22
Fuel tank capacity - Liters348.26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal218
Fuel tank capacity - Gal92
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Engine max600 hp (448 kW)
Engine max250 hp