Patents, trademarks, exclusive features, pioneering designs and bold ideas: the remarkable story of Grady-White innovation.
The bold idea behind Grady-White when the company was founded 65 years ago was to make solid, tough, well-built boats to take on the open waters of North Carolina, the Northeast and–today–all around the world. That fundamental concept remains, and over the years countless breakthroughs, innovations, patents, pioneering designs, and exclusive features and options–big and small–have marked Grady-White’s steady march on that journey. Today, without any doubt, through superb engineering, consistent ownership and management, exceptional attention to detail, innovation, and amazing craftsmanship, Grady-White continues to create the world’s finest coastal boats. Throughout the decades, Grady-White boats have been recognized for their superior build and classic style, but a closer look reveals that Grady-White’s record of exclusive innovations is unmatched by any competitive brand. Take a look at just a small fraction of the inventive developments that contribute to delivering the ultimate boating experience.
Patents & Innovations
Patented interior rod racks: The flagship Canyon 456 is first shown in Miami in 2018, with integrated sliding rack rod storage in the console cabin’s forward gunwales.
Patented seatbacks: Grady-White’s new Canyon 271 in 2017 introduces the Fold Away Forward Facing Bolstered Backrests.
Patented interior rod racks: The flagship Canyon 456 is first shown in Miami in 2018, with integrated sliding rack rod storage in the console cabin’s forward gunwales.
Patented seatbacks: Grady-White’s new Canyon 271 in 2017 introduces the Fold Away Forward Facing Bolstered Backrests.
Patented boat access: The fold down cockpit step assembly becomes a feature in 2016 and makes boarding and disembarking a Grady-White easy for all the crew and guests.
Patented seating: In 2014, Grady’s three-position sliding and tilting companion seat assembly breaks new ground in dual console comfort.
Patented boat access: The fold down cockpit step assembly becomes a feature in 2016 and makes boarding and disembarking a Grady-White easy for all the crew and guests.
Patented seating: In 2014, Grady’s three-position sliding and tilting companion seat assembly breaks new ground in dual console comfort.
Patented seating: In 2006 Grady-White’s new Tournament 275 introduced the electronically controlled convertible lounge seat and seat assembly.
Patented seating: Grady-White introduces the company’s aft fold down bench seat assembly in 2003, providing the “best seat in the house” and quickly and easily folding out of the way. This feature expanded across the line with new products each year.
Patented seating: In 2006 Grady-White’s new Tournament 275 introduced the electronically controlled convertible lounge seat and seat assembly.
Patented seating: Grady-White introduces the company’s aft fold down bench seat assembly in 2003, providing the “best seat in the house” and quickly and easily folding out of the way. This feature expanded across the line with new products each year.
Exclusive innovation and registered trademark hull design: Grady-White’s SeaV2® hull debuted in 1989, with its continuous variable vee–then and now providing the proven best ride on the water. One ride will convince you!
Patented seating: Grady-White develops innovative aft jump seats with swing-open, walk-through backrests and reversible self-stowing cushions with non-skid safety treads. This ingenious design creating two aft casting platforms providing easy access to the swim platform emerges on select boats beginning in the 2018 model year.
Exclusive innovation and registered trademark hull design: Grady-White’s SeaV2® hull debuted in 1989, with its continuous variable vee–then and now providing the proven best ride on the water. One ride will convince you!
Patented seating: Grady-White develops innovative aft jump seats with swing-open, walk-through backrests and reversible self-stowing cushions with non-skid safety treads. This ingenious design creating two aft casting platforms providing easy access to the swim platform emerges on select boats beginning in the 2018 model year.
Exclusive innovation and trademarked hardtop enclosure: The AirView AV2® hardtop enclosure first offered in 2013 takes the hardtop comfort feature to a new level of both openness and protection. In 2015, the AV2® integrated hardtop appears, and in 2018 the AV2® T-top debuts.
Exclusive innovation and trademarked hardtop enclosure: The AirView AV2® hardtop enclosure first offered in 2013 takes the hardtop comfort feature to a new level of both openness and protection. In 2015, the AV2® integrated hardtop appears, and in 2018 the AV2® T-top debuts.
Pioneering Designs
Pioneering design: With the introduction of the 281 Coastal Explorer in 2023, came the creation of a new feature. The portside sport deck is perfect for landing fish or for use as a large swim and dive platform. The first of its kind in the industry on a boat this size, this electromechanically folding platform also includes a stowable boarding ladder.
State-of-the-art expansion: As Grady-White introduced larger, ground-breaking boat models, the need for more production capacity led to a 70,000-square-foot plant expansion in 2018. This allowed for greater efficiency and the ability to build new boats such as the flagship Canyon 456, a 45-foot center console, that debuted that year.
Pioneering design: With the introduction of the 281 Coastal Explorer in 2023, came the creation of a new feature. The portside sport deck is perfect for landing fish or for use as a large swim and dive platform. The first of its kind in the industry on a boat this size, this electromechanically folding platform also includes a stowable boarding ladder.
State-of-the-art expansion: As Grady-White introduced larger, ground-breaking boat models, the need for more production capacity led to a 70,000-square-foot plant expansion in 2018. This allowed for greater efficiency and the ability to build new boats such as the flagship Canyon 456, a 45-foot center console, that debuted that year.
Pioneering design: The first of Grady-White’s Coastal Explorer Series, the 251 CE, came out in 2014, later joined by the 191 CE (c. 2015-2019). By popular demand, the 281 CE made its debut in 2023 and the 231 CE was introduced in 2024. This series features a shallower draft for inland and near shore waters coupled with the legendary SeaV² ride.
Breakthrough concept: Taking advantage of outboard engine horsepower advances, in 2013 Grady-White introduces the industry’s largest dual console to date–the Freedom 375. In 2024, Grady-White surpasses that record with the luxurious and versatile Freedom 415–the largest outboard powered dual console boat ever built.
Pioneering design: The first of Grady-White’s Coastal Explorer Series, the 251 CE, came out in 2014, later joined by the 191 CE (c. 2015-2019). By popular demand, the 281 CE made its debut in 2023 and the 231 CE was introduced in 2024. This series features a shallower draft for inland and near shore waters coupled with the legendary SeaV² ride.
Breakthrough concept: Taking advantage of outboard engine horsepower advances, in 2013 Grady-White introduces the industry’s largest dual console to date–the Freedom 375. In 2024, Grady-White surpasses that record with the luxurious and versatile Freedom 415–the largest outboard powered dual console boat ever built.
Breakthrough concept: The Express 330 takes outboard powered boating to an entirely new level in 2002, with the room, comfort, and fishability of 40-foot-plus inboards. Grady continues to lead the industry in outboard power innovation.
Unprecedented recognition for customer satisfaction: In the 1990s, independent Marine Matrix studies showed Grady-White at the very top levels of satisfaction. In 2001, Grady-White begins a string of all eight J.D. Power and Associates top rankings and all 22 NMMA CSI Awards. No competitive company can match that record.
Breakthrough concept: The Express 330 takes outboard powered boating to an entirely new level in 2002, with the room, comfort, and fishability of 40-foot-plus inboards. Grady continues to lead the industry in outboard power innovation.
Unprecedented recognition for customer satisfaction: In the 1990s, independent Marine Matrix studies showed Grady-White at the very top levels of satisfaction. In 2001, Grady-White begins a string of all eight J.D. Power and Associates top rankings and all 22 NMMA CSI Awards. No competitive company can match that record.
Breakthrough concept/pioneering design: The original saltwater dual console fishing boat. The Tarpon 190 is created in 1979, complete with fiberglass liner, storage, and fishing features. Today, Grady defines the state-of-the-art popular dual console boat design with 10 models ranging from the 21-foot Freedom 215 to 41-foot Freedom 415.
Breakthrough concept/pioneering design: In 1978, Grady introduced the Kingfish 254, the largest fully fiberglass coastal boat to date. In 1980, the outboard version of that boat, the Sailfish 255, led Grady-White owners to confidently and safely venture far offshore.
Breakthrough concept/pioneering design: The original saltwater dual console fishing boat. The Tarpon 190 is created in 1979, complete with fiberglass liner, storage, and fishing features. Today, Grady defines the state-of-the-art popular dual console boat design with 10 models ranging from the 21-foot Freedom 215 to 41-foot Freedom 415.
Breakthrough concept/pioneering design: In 1978, Grady introduced the Kingfish 254, the largest fully fiberglass coastal boat to date. In 1980, the outboard version of that boat, the Sailfish 255, led Grady-White owners to confidently and safely venture far offshore.
Pioneering design: In 1975, Grady improved the “hardcore” center console design with creature comforts that customers wanted. Today, Grady offers the most complete line of center consoles starting at 18 feet, and including a new dimension in outboard center console fishability and luxury, the 45-foot LOA, 14-foot beam Canyon 456.
Breakthrough concept/pioneering design: The walkaround cabin concept was introduced in 1974, providing both protection and shelter and easy access forward. This proven Grady-White design remains the perfect coastal boat choice for many customers.
Pioneering design: In 1975, Grady improved the “hardcore” center console design with creature comforts that customers wanted. Today, Grady offers the most complete line of center consoles starting at 18 feet, and including a new dimension in outboard center console fishability and luxury, the 45-foot LOA, 14-foot beam Canyon 456.
Breakthrough concept/pioneering design: The walkaround cabin concept was introduced in 1974, providing both protection and shelter and easy access forward. This proven Grady-White design remains the perfect coastal boat choice for many customers.
Next generation design: Integrated boarding platforms were implemented on several boats for the 2018 model year. These convenient access points make it easy to board from the dock and the water. Transom doors and swing-open backrests provide easy access from the platforms to the cockpit and make it a cinch to boat large fish.
Exclusive innovation: In 1972 Grady-White moves into a new plant–a facility that remains today, through continuous improvement, one of the most modern and efficient boat manufacturing facilities in the world. You are invited to visit.
Next generation design: Integrated boarding platforms were implemented on several boats for the 2018 model year. These convenient access points make it easy to board from the dock and the water. Transom doors and swing-open backrests provide easy access from the platforms to the cockpit and make it a cinch to boat large fish.
Exclusive innovation: In 1972 Grady-White moves into a new plant–a facility that remains today, through continuous improvement, one of the most modern and efficient boat manufacturing facilities in the world. You are invited to visit.
