2023
Impressing at Boat Shows With the 281 Coastal Explorer and Canyon 386, and Continuing a Legacy of Satisfaction Excellence
When it comes to customer satisfaction Grady-White never rests on its laurels. This year proved to be no exception when their dedication was recognized by the National Marine Manufacturers Association with the presentation of their 21st consecutive Customer Satisfaction Index Award at the Miami International Boat Show. Yes, that’s an award for every single year the award has ever been presented to boat manufacturers in the fiberglass outboard market. Award recipients must receive a 90 percent or higher ranking in customer satisfaction from an independent survey sent to the past year’s customers. Once again, Grady-White was honored and grateful to be recognized for their passionate commitment and unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction.
The highly anticipated introduction of the all new 281 Coastal Explorer was another exciting development at the Miami show. A real game changer to the customer-favorite Coastal Explorer series, the 281’s versatile design resulted in a boat that was instantly sought after by both die-hard anglers and family fun seekers looking for a luxurious inshore/offshore coastal fishing boat. Built on Grady’s exclusive SeaV2® hull, the 281 CE showcased several innovations by the Grady-White design team that enhanced function while delivering aesthetic and ergonomic benefits. From the new standard portside sport deck, an electromechanically folding platform with stowable boarding ladder, to the innovative aft bench seat that can be configured into three different settings, this boat was developed for both fishability and comfort, making it a truly amazing model that does it all!
In the fall, Grady-White exuberantly welcomed dealers back to Greenville, North Carolina for a Worldwide Dealer Conference. Like a family reunion, it was exciting to gather and catch up with the dealers, some whose partnership spans four decades, after a four-year hiatus caused by the pandemic. Dealers left energized and excited about the new features and products Grady-White was introducing at the fall and spring boat shows.
The excitement continued at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with the introduction of a new center console model, the Canyon 386. Using design elements from the flagship Canyon 456 and building on the historic success of the Canyon 376, the new 386 maximized square footage to make it the most spacious center console boat of its length. This made for a roomier cockpit, space for four seats across the helm, and the addition of an enclosed head in the expansive cabin complete with a galley. Built with rugged durability, this boat was perfectly suited for overnight fishing trips to the canyons, and the luxurious appointments made it equally satisfying for a romantic weekend at a favorite seaside town. Gracing the back of this new boat were triple XTO Offshore® 450 engines in Classic White, a new Yamaha factory-painted color. Now the standard for all new Grady-White boats with 300HP and up engines, this new color perfectly matches the signature Grady-White gelcoat color.