Grady White Freedom 285 (2016 ) Captain's Report Grady White s Freedom 285 dual console measures 28 (8.53 m) and has a beam of 9 6 (2.89 m). She can be powered with up to twin 300 hp outboards. Overview The Grady White Freedom 285 is a dual console boat designed to provide the comfort a family wants and still be a solid fishing platform when asked to serve in that capacity. With her SeaV2 deep V design, she delivers a comfortable ride in offshore conditions, and she has a self bailing cockpit and wood free composite hull construction. The Freedom 285 comes with a host of features that are often optional on other boats including a windlass, a hardtop, a stereo with Bluetooth, a table and pressure freshwater.
Key Features Integrated outboard mounting system with swim platform and 4-step ladder Deluxe wet bar with Corian countertop Anchor windlass with remote switches at helm and windlass Stereo system with AM/FM tuner, MP3 auxiliary audio connections/amplifier, Bluetooth, remote control and fold down storage speakers 185-qt. aft insulated Fish/ice box with light and ob drain 32-gallon livewell 4 rod holders 3 horizontal rod storage racks Hardtop with painted aluminum frame Specifications Grady White Freedom 285 (2016 ) Specifications Length Overall 28' 8.53m Dry Weight 5,980 lbx. 2,713kg Beam 9' 6" 2.89m Tested Weight N/A Draft 20".51m Weight Capacity N/A Draft Up N/A Person Capacity N/A Draft Down N/A Fuel Capacity Air Draft N/A Water Capacity 201 gal. 761 L 20 gal. 76 L Deadrise/Transom 19 degrees Length on Trailer N/A Max Headroom open Height on Trailer N/A Bridge Clearance 8' 2.44m Trailer Weight N/A Total Package Weight (Trailer,Boat & Engine) N/A Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat Engine Options Grady White Freedom 285 (2016 ) Engine options Std. Power Tested Power Opt. Power 2x 250 hp Yamaha Four Stroke Currently no test numbers 2x 300 hp Yamaha Four Stroke
The Grady White Freedom 285 comes with space to fight fish in the cockpit and seating for at least six. Features Inspection The Cockpit. The Freedom 285 s versatility is on full display in the 65 square foot (19.8 sq. m) cockpit. Aft to starboard, there s gated passage to the combination engine mounting bracket/swim platform, which has a four step stainless steel boarding ladder and space to walk around in front of the motors. A hatch in the passageway opens a locker for the battery switches. For fishing, in the center of the stern there is a 185 quart (175.1 L) insulated fishbox with a 32 gallon (121 L) livewell to port. The livewell has a cutting board hatch, an aerator, and a light. There are coaming panels all along the gunwales with rod racks and toerails down low. For relaxing, a bench seat that could accommodate two comfortably folds out of the stern.
The passageway to starboard makes it easy to head out onto the swim platform or pull in a large fish. The hatches for the fishbox and the livewell open on stainless steel struts that are mounted to cause as little obstruction as possible.
The raw water washdown in the port gunwale is conveniently located for quick cleanups. The aft bench folds out from the stern, and the backrest is angled to improve comfort.
Grady White s toe rail blocks are integrated and then 1 polyethylene toe rails are added. Forward Seating Area. Moving forward, at first glance, the back to back seat to port looks like the traditional foldout model. It s actually an electro mechanical model. Push a button, and the bottom cushion extends aft, creating a chaise style lounge seat that will become a coveted spot. There s storage outboard in gunwale trays fore and aft of the seat and a fold down footrest on the front of the base. The stereo control is also outboard.
The forward facing half of the port companion seat has a grabrail outboard, and we like that Grady White provides an inspection panel for the fuel fill and vent. Also, with the push of a button, the aft half of the port seat slides out to form this comfortable lounge. Helm Seat and Wet Bar. The Freedom 285 comes standard with an adjustable helm bench seat armrests. She also comes standard with the Deluxe wet bar with Corian countertop. The Deluxe wet bar has a fire extinguisher holder, a sink under a hinged top, a storage drawer, and trash compartments. Owners can go a step further and add a refrigerator in the base of the wet bar and a grill up top. The standard adjustable helm bench seat with flip up bolster.
Above is the standard Deluxe wet bar with storage drawers. Shown is the standard Deluxe wet bar with the optional refrigerator that would replace the storage drawers in the wet bar base.
The optional grill installs in the top of the wet bar, and notice that Grady White uses a heat shield on the underside of the hatch and an automatic shutoff switch next to the gas strut base. The Helm The Freedom 285 s helm is straightforward and efficient. The steering wheel is positioned so that a companion can join the captain if the boat has the doublewide helm seat. The trim tab switches with LED indicators are just abaft the shift/throttle controls. We d like to see them forward on the electronics flat, so the driver can just reach ahead with his throttling hand to adjust the boat s attitude. An angled flat section of the dash has space for optional electronics. Up top, a black panel includes the compass, accessory switches, and engine monitoring screens.
A two position footrest at the helm makes the driver more comfortable, and the single cup holder will help with hydration during a long day on the water. One of the most popular options on the Freedom 285, Yamaha s Helm Master control system makes the boat more drivable with joystick operation.
The Consoles. Stepping into the passageway to the bow, we found a locking compartment with dedicated storage for four tackle boxes in the helm console. Forward of that is a larger locker with a light. Opposite, the aft starboard corner of the port console opens into the passageway to make it easy to step into the private head compartment. It comes standard with a portable toilet, mirror, shelf, and teak and holly sole. To upgrade the facilities, owners can choose among different head options from a pump out portable model to electric or macerator versions with 10 gallon (38 L) holding tanks. This drawer style compartment in the helm console makes it easy to get to tackle quickly.
The compartment in the helm console is a good place to store carry on bags and similarly sized items.
Notice the thick rubber gasket for the head door; it seals the opening and prevents rattles. The Hardtop. The Freedom 285 s standard hardtop comes well equipped with three zippered storage compartments, red, white, and blue LED lights, and two speakers in lieu of a pair at the helm. A rugged painted aluminum frame supports the top, which can be painted on the underside to match the hull if an owner chooses to pay for the upgrade. The hardtop frame has integrated rod holders on each side and LED lights directed aft for night fishing. The Bow Moving into the Freedom 285 s bow is easy, thanks to the opening center section of the aluminum framed windshield. Below, a folding door can be used to close off the passageway, which lets owners who live in colder climates extend their season. Up front, the bow has comfortably reclined backrests, full wraparound bolsters, and removable bottom cushions. An optional filler cushion is available. Rails are recessed below deck level. There are cup holders in deck, and the cleats are pull up models. A removable table that can also be used in the cockpit secures in place to create a booth where the kids can enjoy lunch.
Double decker coaming pads ensure that passengers won t ever hit an elbow or knee against hard fiberglass. To turn the bow into a big playpen, order the Freedom 285 with the optional sun platform insert with cushions.
The standard table makes the Freedom 285 s bow more versatile. It can also be moved aft to the cockpit. Bow Storage. The bow bottom cushions can be removed for fishing or to access storage below. To port, there s open storage beneath a hinged hatch that opens on a gas strut. The 135 quart (128 L) insulated fishbox that drains overboard is to starboard. In the bow, the windlass is beneath a hatch in the foredeck, and there s access to the rode and chain via another lower hatch. To port in the bow, this compartment could be good for fenders and docklines.
To starboard, this insulated fishbox drains overboard, and notice that Grady White placed the gas strut in a position to create as little obstruction as possible.
To make it easy to run the windlass, there are controls in the foredeck and at the helm. Power and Performance The Numbers. We haven t tested the Freedom 285, but Grady White has. With twin Yamaha 250 hp 4 stroke outboards, the boat weighed 9,534 lbs. (4,325 kg) and turned 15 1/2 x 17 (39.4 cm x 43.2 cm) stainless steel propellers. According to Grady White, she hit a top speed of 51.5 mph (44.8 knots) at 6000 rpm. Best cruise came at 3500 rpm where the boat ran 30.0 mph (26.1 knots) and burned 16.4 gph (62.1 lph), according to the builder. Stepping up to twin 300 hp Yamahas with 15 1/4 x 19 (38.7 cm x 48.3 cm) three blade stainless steel props, the boat weighed the same and hit a top speed of 55.1 mph (47.9 knots) at 6000 rpm, says the company. Best cruise was at 3400 rpm where the boat ran 30.3 mph (26.4 knots) and burned 16.0 gph (60.6 lph), which gave the Freedom 285 a range of 342 statute miles, according to Grady White. Whether the boat is powered by twin 250 or 300 hp outboards, the Grady White Freedom 285 has a maximum cruising range of about 340 statute miles. Bottom Design. Grady White uses a C. Raymond Hunt Associates design that calls the SeaV2 hull on all its boats. It s a continuously variable V shaped design that utilizes variable deadrise measurements throughout the bottom. Its deadrise sharpens from 20 degrees at the transom to about 30 degrees amidships and a steeper entry at the bow.
The Grady White Freedom 285 s SeaV2 bottom and flared bow provide a smooth dry ride. Construction. Grady White builds the Freedom 285 with all hand laid materials and no wood. Stringers are molded from fiberglass and composites, filled with foam and encapsulated in resin and fiberglass. The composite transom on each new boat is reinforced with a solid aluminum transom angle brace to distribute torque loads. All open voids in the Freedom 285 s stringer grid are filled with foam and aluminum supports add strength.
Engine Options Twin 300 hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboards Individual Options Bow thruster Convenience package with battery charger and dockside power with galvanic isolator Grill 1,300 watt with power inverter (requires convenience package and replaces wet bar drawer storage) Marine head with electric flush and 10 gallon (38 L) holding tank Marine head with macerator and 10 gallon (38 L) holding tank Portable head with pump out Portable head with in line macerator Yamaha Helm Master control system Hull color, Cape Gray, Celestial Blue, Coastal Fog Blue, Sea Glass or Sand gelcoat, or Harbor Blue paint Outrigger kit, 15 (4.6 m) Four side mounted rod holders on hardtop Five top mounted rod holders on hardtop Stainless steel refrigerator drawer in wet bar (replaces storage drawer) Ski pylon Sun platform insert with cushion
Observations When done well, a dual console boat could be the closest thing to an aquatic SUV and the Grady White Freedom 285 is done well. With fore and aft fishboxes, a livewell and other fishing features, she s every bit the serious fishing boat. For cruising, features like the power adjustable port side lounge, movable table and private head compartment offer everything a family needs to enjoy the water. Perhaps most important is Grady White s aftermarket customer service and its integrity. It s hard to put a value on those two details, but, in the end, they count for a lot. Standard and Optional Equipment Grady White Freedom 285 (2016 ) Standard and Optional Equipment Systems Battery Charger/Converter Stereo Head: Fixed Power Steering Trim Tabs Washdown: Fresh Water Washdown: Raw Water Windlass Galley Refrigerator Exterior Features Hardtop Outlet: 12 Volt Acc Swim Ladder Swim Platform Transom Door Wet bar Boats More Than 30 Feet Bow Thruster = Standard = Optional