Grady-White Yachts Review

Summary

Grady-White Boats was started in 1959 by Don White and Glen Grady in Greenville, NC. Both men loved boats, worked for boating companies, and recognized the need for safe, high-performance sea crafts. They dedicated themselves to building quality boats for fishermen and people who loved the coastal environment. Since purchasing the company in 1968, owner and CEO Eddie Smith has taken his crew to new levels in boat construction. With their headquarters still in Greenville, they focus on long-lasting value. The company keeps very close friendships with their dealers and customers. They are determined to understand what the customer wants and why they want it. They are careful to listen to suggestions of the boaters that use their products and incorporate those suggested features in every new model they produce.

Pricing

Grady-White Yachts is a company notable in it’s verity of models. The prices run anywhere between $3,000 and $400,000. The company has small fishing boats such as the fisherman 204 ($2,800.00) and larger boats with walk in cabins such as their canyon 336 ($204,795.00). One of Grady-whites more expensive products is their express 360 which runs for $387,125.00. It sounds pricy to the average fisherman but it has unique features. It is solid hand-laid fiberglass below the waterline and a Baltek balsa core in the hull sides. This adds durability to the boat but not weight. If you need something in a significantly lower price range you will be able to find some smaller boats by Grady-White such as their Tuscany ($5-6,000) or their Adventure 2008 ($21,000). Truly, Grady-White has a product for every boaters price range and desire.

Pros

• They’re great for bays and coasts, providing accommodations without sacrificing their true mission in life, which is fishing.
• Grady-White Yachts have features that are based off of suggestions of customers and dealers who use them frequently.
• Grady-White Yachts generally keep an incredibly high re-sale value.
• The company finds creative places to provide storage space. The company constantly tries to improve on things like this as they re-make old models.

Cons

• Compared to other boat companies, Grady-White is a pricey. They definitely run more expensive than their competitors most of the time.
• The Grady-White Yacht company has a goal in mind when creating boats and that goal is fishing. If you are not looking to fish as a main boating activity, you may find something that suits your needs better elsewhere.
• Though the exterior is well polished, owners say some of the internal construction has been done in a sloppy fashion
• By today's boating standards, Grady-White construction methods are not considered up-to-date or high-tech.

Featured Models

Sportsman 180, Tournament 185, Tournament 192, Tournament 205, Adventure 208, Escape 209, Fisherman 222, Tournament 225, Seafarer 226/228, Fisherman 230, Gulfstream 232, Advance 257, Journey 258, Chase 273, Tournament 275, Canyon 283, Chesapeake 290, Marlin 300, Express 305, Canyon 306, Tournament 307, Express 330, Canyon 336, Express 360, and Canyon 366.

Conclusion

The Grady-White Yacht company produces quality boats for fisherman. They aren’t exactly luxurious, though they do provide adequate cabin room for comfort. They are well built and owners experience a very low level of wear and tear. You will always have enough space to store fish and equipment. The company makes sure you are safe on your trips and their models come with features that will protect you from harm, like back-up fuel tanks. If you have the money and desire to make fishing a regular hobby, Grady-White Yachts are a safe bet.