Grady-White’s New Freedom 415 Is A Considerable Value.
Sometimes it’s tough to find the silver lining in bad things. For example, take the pandemic we experienced earlier this decade. Most everyone was impacted in a negative way. But the silver lining here was found in a most unexpected place—and to your benefit. This is the story of the Grady-White Freedom 415.
Grady-White had the prototype of the new Freedom 415 when the pandemic hit. Realizing it wasn’t an optimal time for a new model, the boatbuilder pulled back on the announcement. Instead of just throwing a cover over it until the pandemic abated, the engineers at Grady-White opted to re-examine and tweak the 415 with extensive use that resulted in a “new and improved” boat. “Nothing was left to chance on this new model,” says Christian Carraway, product designer at Grady-White. “Every inch has been examined to ensure the highest marks. A lot of little things were addressed, but they collectively added up to make a big difference.”
What does that mean to you? It’s that you have a finely tuned boat to maximize the efficiencies and squeeze out the most enjoyment possible when cruising, fishing, or just staying on board.
Sure, there are other dual console boats on the market, but look at the 415 deeper. Grady-White has added many touches that bring a raised level of elegance.
The new Freedom 415 tops out Grady-White’s Dual Console line of 10 models and joins a slew of other Grady-White series, including Coastal Explorer, Express Cabin, Walkaround, and Center Console.
Freedom For All
The 415 gives an owner the “freedom” to utilize the platform in a variety of ways. With a dual console layout, there are cabins for the head and living space so you don’t have to be outside all the time and it can be used as a weekender. Add in a very roomy bow and ample cockpit seating for enhanced cruising pleasure. Or spend the day fishing, thanks to multiple rod holders, bait wells, rocket launchers, and side hull doors to pull in the catch. If enjoying the water toys, the cabin allows for cleanup and changing so you’re ready to pull up to a restaurant for dinner.
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Multifunctional Main Deck
With port and starboard-side boarding gates with removable ladder, access to the cockpit is easy. When fishing, the cockpit is a cleared dance floor waiting for the next bite. Crew can watch the lines from the elevated aft-facing padded bench seat that is in an air-conditioned area and under the hardtop, protecting what’s underneath from the sun. When cruising, a transom seat easily folds out.
The transom also holds a fridge/freezer box and dual 35-gallon insulated livewells. In the bow, 59-quart insulated boxes will keep the catch cold.
The wet bar that doubles as a bait prep station is very stylish. A Dekton stone countertop conceals the grill and sink. Behind a roll-down facade is storage for glassware and beverage containers. Undercounter is an Isotherm fridge, three storage drawers, and a trash bin. Roll out the Sureshade to cover the cockpit for those sunny days.
Grady-White did its homework with the port-side lounge that can be configured as fore- or aft-facing, as bench seats, in a U-shaped config, or as a dining area with two adjustable wood tables. Enjoy the cruise, be a second set of eyes for the captain, or relax watching the drop-down 24-inch TV that pivots.
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Across to starboard is the helm with everything you need for safe operation. Twin contoured electric captain seats have bolsters and armrests. Manage the boat’s electrical needs by the CZone DC digital switching system. The dash includes flush-mounting space for dual multifunction displays, switches, Zipwake dynamic trim monitor, Helm Master EX steering, and more. There’s an overhead console for additional electronics.
From the center walkway is access to the open bow. Probably one of the most luxurious bow setups you will ever see, there are diamond-stitched cushions, bench and lounge-style seating, thick coaming backrests, recessed cup holders, USB ports, and storage under each seat.
A nice touch are the grab rails that surround the area. Two teak tables raise or lower electrically. This creates an elegant dining area or a large sunpad with filler cushions. Beat the sun back with the four-pole sunshade.
As mentioned, the 415 is a dual console setup, and Grady-White has certainly sharpened its design pencils when it comes to utilization of these spaces. The starboard cabin under the helm has a roomy head with an L-shaped sliding door that gives ample headroom when entering, shower with 11-gallon heater, VacuFlush toilet with 20-gallon tank, fold-down teak seat, hand-hammered nickel sink, and teak flooring. There’s a deep well in the quartz counter to hold shampoo, toothpaste, etc., so they don’t go flying all over while underway. Great idea! It’s evident that Grady-White went the extra mile to add elegance to a service room that usually never sees teak finishes or mirrored cabinet doors.
To port is a guest cabin, also with an L-shaped sliding door, teak wood flooring, oak cabinets, woven seagrass wall coverings, plush L-shaped settee that doubles as a sleep area, aft amidships berth, 24-inch LCD TV, skylight, and fold-down table. Grady-White did not skimp on the elegance.
Both cabins are cooled or heated by the 18,000 BTU air conditioning system.
If Looks Could Kill
All the amidships areas are located under a massive AV2 (AirView) hardtop, which includes a built-in electric sunroof with shades, storage netting, and space for top-mounted electronics and antennas. The integrated hardtop is a solid structure with a painted aluminum frame and not just an add-on. It houses the large, curved, forward windshields as well as the long side windows that have electric vents for improved air flow. Add in aft curtains and you have an all-weather fishing machine. From the profile, the lines of the 415 are sharply styled, well-proportioned, and blend in so well that this all looks like a one-piece boat.
Many people don’t know how a hull is designed. Grady-White incorporates its hand-laid fiberglass SeaV2 hull design to maximize efficiency while offering a soft and stable ride. On the 415, deadrise at the transom is 21 degrees. Moving forward, the deadrise increases to around 30 degrees amidships, and sharpens to a tight V at the bow. This allows the bow to do its job of slicing through waves and not just bouncing over them. In calmer waters, the bow can lift, thanks to dual running strakes that extend from the bow aft, and the boat runs on the flatter hull surface aft, increasing speed while maintaining control. Additionally, the hard chine gives stability and reduces side rolling. Generous bow flare throws bigger waves outward while adding buoyancy, resulting in a very dry boat. Boaters don’t usually head out when conditions are rough, but the weather changes and you know the hull is working to get you back to port safely.
Additional control comes from the Lewmar bow thruster and stability from the Seakeeper 6 stabilization system. Other niceties include Glendinning retractable shore cord, 12 kW diesel generator with 30-gallon fuel tank, 25 stainless drink holders, and more.
As this is a very new model, we did not get a chance to spec out the speed and fuel burn. But I think it’s safe to say that with the quad outboards, you’ll get the speed you need and range when pulled back.
Grady-White gets it that at this level of offering, buyers would not want to toil over which options to choose. That’s why the Standard Features list is long and Optional Features list is short. Sure, you can choose the hull color, canvas, and curtain components, even the outriggers. But pretty much everything else comes packaged standard, making the 415 a true turn-key boat.
Get on the Grady-White Freedom 415 and feel the freedom of boating. Sometimes silver is worth more than gold.
-by Tom Serio
SPECIFICATIONS
Centerline Length (w/o engines): 40′ 7″
Beam: 13′ 8″
Draft (hull): 2′ 10″
Displacement (w/o engines): 22,950 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 536/50 U.S. gals.
Power: 4x Yamaha 5.6L V8 @ 450-hp
Contact: Grady-White Boats
gradywhite.com