GradyWhite Freedom 285 (2016 )

Captain's Report

GradyWhite’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 300hp

outboards.

Overview

The GradyWhite Freedom 285 is a dualconsole 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 deepV design, she delivers a comfortable ride in offshore conditions, and she has a selfbailing 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.

Specifications

GradyWhite Freedom 285 (2016 ) Specifications

Length Overall28'

8.53mDry Weight

5,980 lbx. 2,713kg

Beam9' 6" 2.89m

Tested Weight N/A

Draft20" .51m

Weight Capacity N/A

Draft Up N/A Person Capacity N/A

Draft Down N/A Fuel Capacity201 gal. 761 L

Air Draft N/A Water Capacity20 gal. 76 L

Deadrise/Transom 19 degrees Length on Trailer N/A

Max Headroom open Height on Trailer N/A

Bridge Clearance8'

2.44mTrailer Weight N/A

Total Package Weight(Trailer,Boat & Engine)

N/A

Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your localdealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat

• 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, remotecontrol 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

Key Features

Engine Options

GradyWhite Freedom 285 (2016 ) Engine options

Std. Power 2x 250hp Yamaha FourStroke

Tested Power Currently no test numbers

Opt. Power 2x 300hp Yamaha FourStroke

The GradyWhite 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 65square foot (19.8 sq. m) cockpit. Aft to starboard,there’s gated passage to the combination engine mounting bracket/swim platform, which has a fourstep stainless steelboarding ladder and space to walk around in front of the motors. A hatch in the passageway opens a locker for thebattery switches.

For fishing, in the center of the stern there is a 185quart (175.1 L) insulated fishbox with a 32gallon (121 L) livewell toport. The livewell has a cutting board hatch, an aerator, and a light. There are coaming panels all along the gunwaleswith rod racks and toerails down low. For relaxing, a bench seat that could accommodate two comfortably folds out ofthe 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 stainlesssteel struts that are mounted to cause as little obstruction as possible.

The rawwater 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.

GradyWhite’s toe rail blocks are integrated and then 1” polyethylene toe rails are added.

Forward Seating Area. Moving forward, at first glance, the backtoback seat to port looks like the traditional foldout model. It’s actually an electromechanical model. Push a button, and the bottom cushion extends aft, creating a chaisestyle lounge seat that will become a coveted spot. There’s storage outboard in gunwale trays fore and aft of the seat and a folddown footrest on the front of the base. The stereo control is also outboard.

The forwardfacing half of the port companion seat has a grabrail outboard, and we like that GradyWhite 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 flipup 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 GradyWhite 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 jointhe captain if the boat has the doublewide helm seat. The trim tab switches with LED indicators are just abaft theshift/throttle controls. We’d like to see them forward on the electronics flat, so the driver can just reach ahead with histhrottling 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 twoposition 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 forfour tackle boxes in the helm console. Forward of that is a larger locker with a light. Opposite, the aft starboard corner ofthe port console opens into the passageway to make it easy to step into the private head compartment. It comesstandard with a portable toilet, mirror, shelf, and teak and holly sole. To upgrade the facilities, owners can choose amongdifferent head options from a pumpout portable model to electric or macerator versions with 10gallon (38 L) holdingtanks.

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 carryon 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 wellequipped 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 framesupports 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 aluminumframed windshield.Below, a folding door can be used to close off the passageway, which lets owners who live in colder climates extendtheir season.

Up front, the bow has comfortably reclined backrests, full wraparound bolsters, and removable bottom cushions. Anoptional filler cushion is available. Rails are recessed below deck level. There are cup holders in deck, and the cleats arepullup models. A removable table that can also be used in the cockpit secures in place to create a booth where the kidscan enjoy lunch.

Doubledecker 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 135quart (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 GradyWhite 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 GradyWhite has. With twin Yamaha 250hp 4strokeoutboards, the boat weighed 9,534 lbs. (4,325 kg) and turned 15 1/2” x 17” (39.4 cm x 43.2 cm) stainlesssteelpropellers.

According to GradyWhite, she hit a top speed of 51.5 mph (44.8 knots) at 6000 rpm. Best cruise came at 3500 rpmwhere the boat ran 30.0 mph (26.1 knots) and burned 16.4 gph (62.1 lph), according to the builder. Stepping up to twin300hp Yamahas with 15 1/4” x 19” (38.7 cm x 48.3 cm) threeblade stainless steel props, the boat weighed the sameand hit a top speed of 55.1 mph (47.9 knots) at 6000 rpm, says the company. Best cruise was at 3400 rpm where theboat ran 30.3 mph (26.4 knots) and burned 16.0 gph (60.6 lph), which gave the Freedom 285 a range of 342 statutemiles, according to GradyWhite.

Whether the boat is powered by twin 250 or 300hp outboards, the GradyWhite Freedom 285 has a maximum cruising range of about 340 statute

miles.

Bottom Design. GradyWhite uses a C. Raymond Hunt Associates design that calls the SeaV2 hull on all its boats. It’sa continuously variable Vshaped design that utilizes variable deadrise measurements throughout the bottom. Itsdeadrise sharpens from 20degrees at the transom to about 30degrees amidships and a steeper entry at the bow.

The GradyWhite Freedom 285’s SeaV2 bottom and flared bow provide a smooth dry ride.

Construction. GradyWhite builds the Freedom 285 with all handlaid 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 transomangle brace to distribute torque loads.

All open voids in the Freedom 285’s stringer grid are filled with foam and aluminum supports add strength.

• Twin 300hp Yamaha 4stroke outboards

Individual Options

• Bow thruster

• Convenience package with battery charger and dockside power with galvanic isolator

• Grill 1,300watt with power inverter (requires convenience package and replaces wet bar drawer storage)

• Marine head with electric flush and 10gallon (38 L) holding tank

• Marine head with macerator and 10gallon (38 L) holding tank

Engine Options

• Portable head with pumpout

• Portable head with inline 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 sidemounted rod holders on hardtop

• Five topmounted 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 dualconsole boat could be the closest thing to an aquatic SUV and the GradyWhite 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 poweradjustable port side lounge, movable table and private head compartment offer everything a family needs to enjoy the water.

Perhaps most important is GradyWhite’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

GradyWhite Freedom 285 (2016 ) Standard and OptionalEquipment

Systems

Battery Charger/Converter

Stereo

Head: Fixed

Power Steering

Trim Tabs

Washdown: Fresh Water

Washdown: Raw Water

Windlass

Galley

Refrigerator

Exterior Features

Hardtop

Outlet: 12Volt Acc

Swim Ladder

Swim Platform

Transom Door

Wet bar

Boats More Than 30 Feet

Bow Thruster

= Standard = Optional