Grady-White Freedom 335
Grady-White’s Freedom 335 represents the largest and certainly most luxurious dual console the company has ever built. And if the numbingly long line of oglers on the Town Dock in Beaufort, North Carolina, is any bellwether of what the popularity of this model will likely be, hold onto your extendable hardtop! It will be a smash hit!
PERFORMANCE
Idling at 5 mph produced neither a wake nor any kind of surface or subsurface turbulence. Combine that with the virtually silent Yamaha 350s and slow-trolling is a dream come true on this boat.
Yamaha’s engineers got a tad more out of the 335 than I did, when they topped 50 mph. I managed 47.4 mph at 5,700 rpm, burning 47 gph while turning a pair of 16 1/4 x 17 SWS XL SDS props. My best cruise computed as 30.1 mph at about 4,000 rpm, burning 27.2 gph for an efficiency of 1.18 gph.
A wheel-hard-over turn at 35 mph proved a non-event. The 335 leaned into it and scribed a tight arc. Running down-sea brought no swerve or lag at all when coming up the back of a wave.
FISHING
Of course, every Grady — no matter how luxuriously appointed — leaves the factory ready to fish, and the 335 makes no exception. The cockpit boasts numerous innovations. A unique aft-facing seat in the portside module slides out on a ram at the press of a button, converting to a sunpad or a most sybaritic spot from which to watch your trolling spread.
On centerline in the forward-seating area, a hinged seat lifts to allow an angler to fight a fish, throw a cast net or operate the thru-stem anchoring system with up/down controls both on the foredeck and at the helm.
The round, 30-gallon, optional livewell in the transom features a gasket to keep your bait tank slightly pressurized and your precious livies hale and hearty. Abutting the livewell is a large fish box with optional freezer coils glassed into its walls. You can set the temperature for cool, cold or actually make icy brine — an excellent way to keep fish fresh on the ride back to the dock. Finally, an innovative canvas sunshade extends at the press of a button all the way out to the transom so you can truly shade the entire cockpit.
My hull-number-one test boat sported Raymarine’s newest HybridTouch multifunction display, Raymarine 49 VHF, Kenwood stereo system with remote control, Raymarine digital fathometer, and of course the Yamaha LCD engine-monitoring display.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Opposite the portside module, an entertainment unit houses features such as an optional electric grill (for those fresh fish), stainless-steel sink and refrigerator. I especially like the hidden wastebasket in the pull-out compartment under the helmseat. Every boat should have one. No more tying garbage bags to rod holders!
Every section of this boat — open bow-seating area, helm and cockpit — holds its own against each of the others: The large starboard-side helm provides loads of room for twin 12-inch displays and then some. A double-wide helmseat features a fold-up bolster for sitting or standing plus an electric ram for adjusting fore and aft.
Speaking of electric rams, you’ll find several others aboard as well. In the portside cabin, a berth slides out from centerline to make the cabin one large twin bed. Opposite hides a remarkably roomy head with shower, fixed toilet and Corian counters. A handsome teak grate folds down to hide the toilet while doubling as a shower seat.
Getting back to passenger comfort, the L-shaped settee across from the helm has a hideaway table, as does the portside settee in the open bow. A removable cushion fills the latter space when sunbathing. Both lounges also hide copious dry storage.
Of course, no Grady ever leaves the factory without being turnkey ready for fishing. But compared to the hard-core fishing machines the company has made, this 335 promises the ultimate in luxurious comfort the old-timer anglers never had a chance to experience.
Specifications
LOA: 33 ft. 6 in.
BEAM: 11 ft. 7 in.
DRAFT: 2 ft. 2 in.
DEADRISE: 19 deg.
WEIGHT: 11,900 lb. (dry weight)
FUEL: 312 gal.
MAX POWER: (2) 350 hp OB
MSRP: $380,370 (w/ twin Yamaha 350 hp OB)
Grady-White Boats Greenville, NC 252-752-2111
YAMAHA 350 HP – 5.3-LITER FOUR-STROKE
TYPE: 60-deg. V-8
DISPL.: 325 cid
MAX RPM: 6,000
HP/LB RATIO: 0.44
FUEL SYSTEM: EFI
GEAR RATIO: 1.73:1
WEIGHT: 804 lb.
ALT. OUTPUT: 50 amps
MSRP: $26,245
NOTABLE STANDARD FEATURES
- Anchor windlass
- Electronic sliding cockpit seat
- Battery-charger system
- Cockpit freshwater shower
- Trim tabs w/ indicator
