2024 Grady-White Adventure 218

Boat Reviews

Boat Review by: Richard Crowder

The Adventure 218, the smallest of three G-W Walkaround Cabin models was renewed last year with a wider hull and a full 8’6” beam. It shares this hull with two other G-W models, the Fisherman 216 Center Console and the Freedom 215 Dual Console. It is one of 28 models from 18-45 feet in five series in Grady-White’s substantial lineup for 2024.

And it is a most appropriate model especially suited for our Canadian boating weather and boating priorities. The model designation “Walkaround Cabin” is a fishing descriptor and indeed this boat is ideally suited for all-weather fishing in almost all water conditions. But cruising and watersports enthusiasts could rightly refer to it simply as a Cuddy Cabin boat as it is also so ideally suited for those pleasure boating priorities as well.

As with other Grady-White boats, the Adventure 218 Walkaround Cabin rides on the company’s proprietary and much lauded and proven SeaV2® deep-vee hull design. In this case, it is a moderate deep-vee of 19 degrees of transom deadrise. There is a lot of standard seating for a boat this size including a pair of “Deluxe” helm and companion chairs which may be optionally upgraded to “Deluxe II” chairs or even further to “Command Elite” chairs with flip-up armrests and forward bolsters.

Immediately aft of these chairs are a pair of insulated fish boxes with overboard drains; 94.6 L capacity on the port side and 100.3 L capacity on the starboard side. Both boxes have cushioned tops for comfortable seating. They also act as footrests when facing aft in the helm or companion chair. They may be called fish boxes but they make excellent beverage coolers. The port side fish box may be optionally outfitted as a raw water livewell.

A pair of unique jump seats with well-padded backrests provide stern seating for two. I call them unique for two reasons. First, the backrests swivel 90 degrees back toward the motor to not only allow easier access across the transom when stepping from the cockpit to either the port or the starboard integrated swim platform section, but also act as a backrest when sitting facing sideways on either of these swim platform sections with your feet dangling in the water.

Furthermore, the well-padded seat bottoms of these aft jump seats flip over to reveal non-skid treads on the opposite side for when they are in place to become the steps for that easier access across the transom. Further again, these jump seat bottom cushions when removed, reveal a removable storage box below which when removed, allows excellent access to the batteries and stern bilge areas. The starboard swim platform section features a recessed telescoping four-step boarding ladder.

Between the jump seats are a pair of stainless drink holders (of which there are a total of nine on board) and space for two most desirable available options; a retractable ski pylon and a recessed fresh water shower wand and hose. Beneath both sides of the very well bolstered cockpit gunwales are toe rails along with three horizontal rod storage racks on each side. Four in-gunwale rod holders are provided. Raw water washdown with a hose is standard as is an engine flush system with hose.

The helm of the Adventure 218 Walkaround Cabin is straightforward and efficient with a soft vinyl stitched top surface with slight eyebrow above an upper surface for flush-mounting your choice of single or dual screens and possibly the Yamaha Helm Master readout screen. Next level down is a full-width single row of all necessary DC rocker switches.

Below that is a full-width horizontal surface with a drink holder on the left and a good-sized centre recessed storage tray. The next lower section of the dash features to the left the control head for the standard Fusion AM/FM stereo with touch screen display, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® connectivity plus two helm and two cockpit speakers. The stainless steel tilting steering wheel with power knob is to the right. Hydraulic steering is standard.

The Yamaha motor controls are mounted on the side panel next to the helm chair. Below these controls is a good-sized flip-out lockable storage compartment. A moulded footrest serves the helm chair while a fold down U-shaped footrest serves the companion chair. And speaking of Yamaha, there are two single four-stroke engine choices available for the Adventure 218. Standard is the four-cylinder 200 which offers a top speed of just over 39 mph and an optimum cruise speed of just over 24 mph. You may upgrade to the 250 which produces a top speed of just over 45 mph and an optimum cruise speed of almost 30 mph.

A bi-fold vented and lockable screened door ahead of the companion chair leads to the cozy cabin below which provides thickly padded and upholstered V-berth cushions with storage below. Horizontal storage for four more rods is provided. Beneath the most starboard side berth cushion is a chemical toilet. Indirect lighting is provided. On each hull side is an opening, screened portlight and centred above the cabin is an opening screened acrylic hatch. Lots of fresh air. Lots of screening.

From the cockpit, two steps up on each side leads to a non-skid walkaround leading to the bow. A substantial bow rail all the way along is provided for safety. Once at the bow, an anchor locker features internal mounting brackets to secure a Danforth-style anchor along with your anchor rode. A stainless steel surface-mount bow anchor roller is optionally available and highly recommended. Another highly recommended option is the set of three bow cushions which fasten on the cabin top just ahead of the windshield.

Additional notable standard equipment includes a starboard windshield wiper, hydraulic trim tabs with indicator and retractor, blue LED cockpit lights, pull-up cleats, two 12-volt accessory power outlets, and what Grady-White calls a Vista (bimini-style) canvas top complete with front and side curtains and a storage boot. To this you may optionally add a drop curtain.

Additional notable optional equipment includes four choices of hull colours and if you choose the F250 engine, then you may further choose Helm Master® EX with Integrated Digital Electric Steering. The most noticeable and perhaps most desirable option of all is the aluminum-framed fiberglass hardtop complete with underside large storage net, four side-mounted rod holders, a pair of LED cockpit spreader lights, four tri-coloured recessed lights, underside VHF mounting surface, topside radar antenna mounting surface as well as outrigger mounting plates.

To this hardtop you may then add a matching hull colour to its underside, four painted “rocket launcher” rod holders, an outrigger kit with carbon fiber poles, front and side curtains plus a drop curtain.

In summarizing the Adventure 218, Grady-White says: “get your new RV for the water today.” My summary would be that the very versatile Adventure 218 Walkaround Cabin is wonderfully adaptable for whatever your boating enjoyment entails be it fishing, cruising, or both.

2024 Grady-White Adventure 218 Photo Gallery

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