Grady-White Boats Freedom 285 User manual

Dear Grady-White Owner:
Welcome aboard!
Buying and owning a boat is a very special experience. Of all the many products you’ll ever own we want
your Grady-White experience to be the absolute best. That means providing the descriptions, explanations
and technical support that you need to enjoy your Grady-White with confidence and security.
Your Grady-White exceeds all US Coast Guard safety standards and is built to standards certified by the
National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Best of all, your boat is built to Grady-White
standards—standards that have served our owners through some truly extraordinary conditions since our
first models built in 1959.
The seaworthiness and safety of your Grady-White is highly dependent on the operation, maintenance
and care of your boat, so please read this manual thoroughly and keep it around for reference. If you need
further explanation or “hands-on” help, don’t hesitate to ask the people at your Grady-White dealership;
they have experience with the systems and operations of your boat. If for any reason you need additional
help, please feel free to call us at the factory. We sincerely want to provide you with the help and information
that will make your Grady-White experience delightful.
Thanks for choosing a Grady-White. All of us at the factory and at your dealership are dedicated to
earning your confidence in Grady-White Boats. Again, welcome aboard.
Sincerely yours,
Kris Carroll
President
Grady-White Boats, Inc.
Grady-White Boats, Inc.
5121 Martin Luther King Jr. Hwy, Greenville, NC 27834 • P.O. Box 1527 • Greenville, NC 27835-1527
Tel: [phone] • Fax: [phone] • http://www.gradywhite.com

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Consumer Information
Owner’s Packet .............................................................1-1
Warranty Information ........................................................1-1
Dealer’s Responsibilities .....................................................1-1
Consumer Responsibilities....................................................1-2
Hazard Warning Labels .......................................................1-3
Chapter 2: Safety
Minimum Required Safety Equipment...........................................2-1
Additional Recommended Equipment...........................................2-1
Registration Numbers ........................................................2-2
Emergency Stop Switch ......................................................2-2
Emergency Information.......................................................2-2
Boating Safety ..............................................................2-3
Certification ................................................................2-4
Loading Capacity ............................................................2-5
Carbon Monoxide ...........................................................2-5
Propeller Safety.............................................................2-7
Watersport Safety ...........................................................2-7
Suggested Boating Classes And Reading Material.................................2-7
Chapter 3: General Information
Fueling ....................................................................3-1
Environmental Protection Agency ..............................................3-2
Pollution Regulations ........................................................3-2
Discharge of Oil or Hazardous Substances ....................................3-2
Disposal of Plastics or Garbage .............................................3-3
Trailering ..................................................................3-3
Predeparture ...............................................................3-3
Casting Off and Approaching The Dock ..........................................3-4
Reboarding Ladder ..........................................................3-4
Anchoring..................................................................3-4
Towing ....................................................................3-5
Shallow Water ..............................................................3-5
General Information On Boat Handling ..........................................3-6
Twin and Triple Engine Boats ..................................................3-6
Commonly Used Nautical Terms................................................3-7
Chapter 4: Performance
Performance Factors .........................................................4-1
Engine Efficiency .........................................................4-1

Table of Contents
Weather Conditions .......................................................4-1
Load Distribution .........................................................4-1
Marine Growth ...........................................................4-1
Trim ....................................................................4-1
Propeller ................................................................4-2
Propulsion System – Outboard.................................................4-2
Steering ...................................................................4-3
Throttle/Shift Controls .......................................................4-4
Chapter 5: Instrumentation and Switches
Yamaha Instrumentation Panel ................................................5-1
Yamaha Command Link CL7 Display (Digital Engines & Helm Master™)...............5-1
Yamaha Helm Master™ ......................................................5-3
Switch Panel ...............................................................5-4
Chapter 6: Maintenance and Service
General....................................................................6-1
Exterior Fiberglass Finish .....................................................6-1
Maintenance.............................................................6-1
Cleaning ................................................................6-1
Finish/Waxing ...........................................................6-2
Repairing................................................................6-2
Bottom Paint ...............................................................6-3
Canvas ....................................................................6-3
Maintenance.............................................................6-3
Snaps and Zippers ........................................................6-4
Vinyl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-4
Upholstery .................................................................6-4
Polyethylene/Acrylic/Vinyl ...................................................6-4
Scuppers ..................................................................6-5
Caulking/Gasket ............................................................6-5
Hardware/Stainless Steel Rails ................................................6-5
Hardware Mounting .........................................................6-5
Aluminum Components ......................................................6-5
Fuel System ................................................................6-6
Fuel Tank Compartment ......................................................6-9
Batteries...................................................................6-9
LED Lighting...............................................................6-10
180, 192-236, 255-307 DC Accy Wiring Color Fuse/Breaker ........................6-11

Table of Contents
Chapter 7: Winterization and Storage
General....................................................................7-1
Boat Storage ...............................................................7-1
Cleaning And Lubricating .....................................................7-2
Draining And Water System ...................................................7-2
Head System ...............................................................7-3
Batteries...................................................................7-3
Engines....................................................................7-3
Fuel System ................................................................7-3
Storage Checklist ...........................................................7-3
Getting Boat Out After Storage.................................................7-4
Prior To Launching ...........................................................7-4
After Launching .............................................................7-4
Chapter 8: Freedom 285
Specifications ..................................................................8-1
Operation Of Standard Features ...................................................8-1
Helm Switch Panel...........................................................8-1
Auxiliary Fuse Block .........................................................8-3
Accessory Outlet - 12 Volt .....................................................8-3
Anchor Windlass ............................................................8-3
Battery Select Switches ......................................................8-3
Bilge Pumps/Float Switches ..................................................8-4
Bilge Pump Location .........................................................8-4
Cockpit Shower .............................................................8-4
Cockpit Step................................................................8-4
Compass...................................................................8-5
Engine Flushing System ......................................................8-5
Freshwater System ..........................................................8-5
Hardtop ...................................................................8-6
Head ......................................................................8-6
Marine Head (with Hand Pump) Operation ....................................8-6
Electric Marine Head Operation .............................................8-6
Emptying Marine Head Holding Tank .........................................8-7
Livewell - Raw Water .........................................................8-7
Lounge Seat ................................................................8-8
Main Circuit Breaker .........................................................8-8
Rigging Compartment ........................................................8-8
Seacocks ..................................................................8-8
Stereo.....................................................................8-9
Table ......................................................................8-9
Trim Tabs ..................................................................8-9
Trim Tab Pump Location...................................................8-10

Table of Contents
USB Charging Outlet ........................................................8-10
Washdown - Raw Water......................................................8-10
Wet Bar With Sliding Seat ....................................................8-11
Windshield Washer Solenoid .................................................8-11
Operation Of Optional Features ..................................................8-12
Battery Charger ............................................................8-12
Bow Thruster ..............................................................8-12
Outriggers ................................................................8-12
Power Assist Hydraulic Steering ..............................................8-13
Refrigerator ...............................................................8-13
Shore Power...............................................................8-13
Connecting The Shore Power ..............................................8-13
Disconnecting The Shore Power ............................................8-14
Ski Pylon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-14
Safety Labels and Location ......................................................8-15
Chapter 9: Limited Warranty
Registration Of Purchase .....................................................9-1
Five Year Hull Transferable Warranty ............................................9-1
One Year Material And Workmanship Warranty ...................................9-1
Warranty Claim Procedures ...................................................9-3
Transferable Warranty Form ...................................................9-5

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Chapter 1: Consumer Information
CHAPTER 1: CONSUMER INFORMATION
Owner’s Packet
Your Grady-White has many features and accessories that have existing printed material
provided by the various equipment manufacturers. This information is compiled in a package that
we will reference throughout this manual as an “Owner’s Packet.” This Owner’s Packet includes a
Grady-White Owner’s Manual and Engine Manual(s) to advise on operation, service, specifications,
maintenance, warranty, and other useful facts. While reading your Grady-White manual, you will
find other technical literature referenced as resources for detailed information. The Owner’s Packet
will also consist of operation guides, informative labels, and product warranties you will need to be
acquainted with. Your Owner’s Packet can also be used to retain instructions and data compiled on
additional equipment and accessories installed after delivery. To the extent that any other
information in the Owner’s Packet is inconsistent with the Grady-White owner’s manual for your
boat, the owner’s manual takes precedence.
Sportfish, Cruisers, Yachts Owner’s Manual, a book published by the National Marine
Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA), has been included with your Owner’s Manual as a supplement.
This publication will be referenced in your Grady-White Owner’s Manual to present additional
instructions and information on basic boating.
Warranty Information
The Grady-White warranty is located in the last chapter of this manual. Upon the purchase of
your new Grady-White Boat, the dealer will submit the required warranty information to the
factory. For questions regarding your warranty please contact your dealership.
Dealer’s Responsibilities
Throughout the fabricating and assembly processes, your Grady-White has undergone a series
of strict inspections. Subsequent to the final factory overview, your dealer must perform additional
pre-delivery checks and approve your Grady-White for delivery.
Dealer Responsibilities Include Providing The Following:
• An orientation of the general operation of your Grady-White.
• Submitting the required warranty information to Grady-White Boats to validate the
warranty.
• An explanation of safety issues regarding the use of containment systems and
components.
• A complete Owner’s Packet containing literature and information regarding your Grady-
White and its separate warranted products’ operation, installation, and maintenance
instructions.

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Chapter 1: Consumer Information
• A review of all warranties for engines and accessories that are separate from or in
addition to the Grady-White warranty.
• Guidance on acquiring local and out of area service during and out of warranty periods.
Consumer Responsibilities
The following are responsibilities of the Grady-White owner:
• Read and understand the express limited warranty.
• Study in detail all literature and instructions enclosed, and use all equipment in
accordance.
• Examine the boat and confirm all systems are working suitably at the time of accepting
delivery.
• Render proper maintenance and periodic servicing of the boat in accordance with
suggestions in the Owner’s Manual and Packet.
• Return the boat to the selling dealer for an engine inspection. Refer to the engine’s
owner’s manual for the proper maintenance schedule.
Grady-White Boats has a permanent record of your boat which is retained under its “Hull
Identification Number” (HIN). Data regarding equipment and accessories, as well as dealer/
shipping information is documented. When contacting your dealer concerning warranties or service,
please have all relevant information such as serial numbers (HIN) and model number available.
The “Hull Identification Number,” located on the starboard side of the transom, is a significant
source of identification and must be noted in all correspondence and orders. Failure to include the
HIN only creates delay.

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Chapter 1: Consumer Information
Hazard Warning Labels
The hazard warning labels shown below are applied throughout this manual to alert the
customer of potentially dangerous situations that can lead to death, personal injury, and/or product
damage. We urge you to observe these warnings and comply with all safety recommendations.
DANGER
This symbol alerts you to imminently hazardous situations which WILL cause severe personal
injury or death if the warning is ignored.
WARNING
This symbol alerts you to potentially hazardous situations or unsafe practices that COULD
result in severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
This symbol alerts you to potentially hazardous situations that MAY result in minor personal
injury or cause product or property damage if the warning is ignored.
NOTICE
This symbol calls attention to installation, operation, or maintenance information which is
important for proper operation, but is not hazard related.

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Chapter 1: Consumer Information