2017
More New Dual Console Offerings and Continued Recognition for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction Build Excitement and Promise for Customers
As the late summer of 2016 began to turn to fall and the oncoming 2017 model year, thoughts focused on the seasonal boat shows including Norwalk, Seattle, Annapolis and Ft. Lauderdale in early November. Then winter came along with its shows including New York, Boston, and Miami, and Grady received yet another NMMA CSI award for customer satisfaction, continuing a 15-year unbroken string of prestigious third-party recognitions. Shelley Tubaugh, vice president of marketing for Grady-White Boats, remarked, “Receiving this recognition from the NMMA for each and every year of the award, is incredible and makes all of us at Grady-White Boats very proud. This affirms that our dedication to paying exceptional attention to every detail leads to our customers’ complete satisfaction and truly sets us apart.”
Aside from the continued success in customer satisfaction, a healthy economy across all Grady market segments helped spike excitement and sales of all Grady-White 2017 model year offerings. The early and continued success of 2017-2018 model year introductions built additional anticipation for even more innovation, as evident in the new Canyon 306 with its windshield protection and helm ergonomics. The 2017 Canyon 306 also served up Grady’s super comfortable and innovative patent pending fold-away back rests to make the forward bow seating even more luxurious, whether the emphasis is on a pleasure cruise or an offshore fishing trip.
In the spring of 2017, Grady-White began construction of two new additions to their facility, adding 70,000+ square feet to the production areas. This set the stage for more ground-breaking boat models in the months to come.
Another highlight of 2017 was the introduction of two more “twins,” the all-new Freedom 215, a 21-foot dual console, and the all-new Fisherman 216, a 21-foot center console, for the 2018 model year. These two models borrowed the aft boarding platforms and style formula success that had propelled 2016’s 23-foot Freedom 235 and Fisherman 236 to big and continued sales.
October 2017, Grady introduced yet another all-new model that the company touted as “The Perfect Coastal Day Boat,” the 32-foot Freedom 325 dual console. Perfect or just near perfect, there can be no doubt that the 325 combines luxury and comfort with smart arrangement and solid fishing heritage beyond anything in the category. The 325 remains the industry’s 32-foot dual console leader thanks to being chock-full of versatility, ease of use, and friendly features including a port side cockpit door and an accessible roomy head with sink and shower, plus standard hardtop and livewell. 2017 turned out to be a spectacular calendar year for Grady-White from start to finish with the new models, new customers, new dealers, and more production capability. To summarize a great year, as 2017 ended, the company further advanced its standing as the undoubted leader being head and shoulders ahead of all competitors in the premium coastal boat market.
