281 CE
28' COASTAL EXPLORER
The ultimate inshore/offshore boat, built on Grady-White’s legendary SeaV²® hull, the 281 Coastal Explorer is a real game-changer! Packed with ingenuity, starting with a new standard portside electric fold down platform with stowable ladder and the newly designed aft bench seat with three different configurations, this top-of-the-line Grady-White boat delivers triple the thrills. From fishing the shallows, and the deepest offshore canyons, to riding in luxury and style to and from the sandbar, this incredibly versatile boat will be the delight of the entire family!
Photo Gallery
Grady White 281 CE Running at Sunset
Grady White 281 CE Running at Sunrise
Grady White 281 CE with Men Fishing from Bow
Grady White 281 CE at Beach With Fisherman on Shore
Grady White 281 CE port side cruising at sunrise
Grady White 281 CE cruising starboard near shoreline
Grady White 281 CE with Woman On Sport Deck
Grady-White 281 CE running starboard bow
Grady-White 281 CE running starboard city skyline
Grady White 281 CE Bow Seating with Seat Back in Upright Position
Grady White 281 CE Bow Table
Grady White 281 CE Aft Bench Seat with port and starboard swing-open walk-through backrests
Grady White 281 CE Aft Bench Seat with port and starboard swing-open walk-through backrests and seat cushions
Grady White 281 CE Aft Bench Seat with Cushions and Seat Backs
Grady-White 281 CE Livewell
Grady-White 281 CE Sportdeck
Grady-White 281 CE Sportdeck with stowable ladder
Grady White 281 CE Head in Console
Grady White 281 CE under gunnel rod holders
Grady White 281 CE casting platform with optional extension insert without cushions
Grady White 281 CE casting platform without cushions
Grady White 281 CE casting platform with cushion
281 CE Main Specifications
Beam Amidships
9'4" (2.84 m)
Center Line Length w/o Engines
27'7" (8.41 m)
Bridge Clearance
7'11" (2.41 m)
Cockpit Depth
22" (0.56 m)
Hull Draft
19" (0.48 m)
Transom Deadrise
16 degrees (SeaV2® progression)
Maximum HP
600 (447 kW)
Fuel Capacity - Standard
160 gal. (606 l)
Weight w/o Engines
5650 lb. (2563 kg)
281 CE Features & Options
Select camera icons where available to view feature photos
Denotes feature as trademarked, exclusive, patented, or patent pending
2 automatic bilge pumps (total 2600 GPH) (9842 LPH)
Basic flotation
Bow grab rail - low profile 316 grade stainless steel
Composite stringer system & transom - water impervious
Fire extinguisher holder
Nonskid fiberglass liner
Self-bailing cockpit w/cockpit drains (2)
Stainless steel through-hull fittings
Stern grab rail - low profile 316 grade stainless steel
100% hand laid SeaV² hull & deck
Anchor windlass w/rode, line, and remote switches at helm & windlass
Batteries (2) w/battery select switch (1) & battery charger (1)
Casting platform insert w/cushion
Cleats - flush mount (pull up)
Cockpit lights - blue LED
Deck hardware - 316 grade stainless steel through-bolted
Drink holders - stainless steel (8)
Engine flush system w/hose attachment aft (one per engine)
Factory engine pre-rigging
Fish box - 70-qt (66.2 l) forward port & starboard insulated fish box w/ob drain (2)
Forward bolsters
Hydraulic trim tabs w/indicator & auto retract
International lighting
Livewell - 18-gallon (68 l) aft insulated raw water livewell w/light & ob drain (500 GPH pump) (1893 LPH)
Rod holders - aft (4), amidships (4)
Rod storage racks - horizontal (2)
Rubrail - high density PVC w/stainless steel insert
Seating - aft bench seat w/port & starboard swing-open, walk-through backrests & removable center backrest
Seating - port & starboard bow cushioned seating w/electromechanically adjustable backrests
Sport Deck – electromechanically folding platform w/boarding ladder
Stereo system w/waterproof touch screen display, AM/FM tuner, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth® connectivity; speakers w/LED lights - bow (2), cockpit (2), T-top (2)
Stern eyes - 316 grade stainless steel
Storage - port & starboard under seat drop in boxes
Storage - port boarding ladder storage
Storage - forward anchor locker w/rode storage
Storage - lockable storage drawers (2)
Water tank - 18-gallon (68.1 l) fresh water
Accessory outlet - 5V duplex USB port
Accessory outlet - 12V (1)
Compass
Console grab rail
Cooler - 296-qt (280.1 l) cooler under forward console seat w/removable divider
Drink holders - stainless steel (2)
Footrest - molded console footrest
Flush mount electronics area
Head - lockable console w/lighting, bulk storage, composite cherry & holly sole & marine head w/electric flush, 7.5-gallon (28 l) holding tank w/macerator, overboard discharge & deck pump out
Seating - molded forward console lounge seat w/cushion & backrest
Steering - Helm Master® EX w/Integrated Digital Electric Steering (does not include joystick)
Steering wheel - 316 grade stainless steel w/knob
T-top - fiberglass w/painted aluminum frame, storage net, LED spreader lights, rod holders (4), tri-colored (red, blue, white) LED recessed lights (3), radar flat & outrigger plates
Window - tinted frameless glass
Windshield - scratch resistant acrylic integrated w/T-top
Windshield wiper w/washer
Knife & pliers holders
Livewell - 38-gal. (144 l) insulated raw water livewell w/light, full column distribution inlet & ob drain (1100 GPH pump) (4164 LPH)
Painted rod holders (4)
Rigging station - freshwater shower (recessed), cutting board & bait locker
Seating - Command Elite helm chairs (2)
Storage - lockable storage drawers (3)
Storage - lockable w/tackle trays (6)
Storage - port net storage area
Washdown - pressurized raw water w/hose
Bow table package
Casting platform extension insert w/cushion
CE certification package (European Conformity)
Hull color - Celestial Blue, Coastal Fog, Ocean Mist, or Sea Glass gelcoat
Lighting - underwater blue LED (2)
Outrigger kit - 18-ft. (5.5 m) crank hardtop mounted stainless steel outriggers w/carbon fiber poles
Ski pylon
Steering - Helm Master® EX Full Maneuverability w/autopilot
SureShade® electrically retractable cockpit shade w/Sunbrella® canvas (oyster)
T-top color - underside of fiberglass T-top (requires matching gelcoat hull color option)
Trolling motor pre-rig - swivel mounting bracket w/quick release, head stabilizer, 36V batteries (3), and 20-amp battery charger (trolling motor not included)
Easy up bow shade (ivory mesh)
T-top wing curtains (ivory)
281 CE Performance Data
300 Yamaha Four-Stroke
Twin
Top Speed: 57.4 MPH @ 6000 RPM
Optimum Cruise: 29.1 MPH @ 3100 RPM
GPH at Optimum Cruise: 12.3
MPG at Optimum Cruise: 2.37
CLASSIC WHITE
Standard
300 Yamaha Four-Stroke
Twin
Engine Size
4.2L
Test Date
4/22/2022
Prop Size
15 1/4 X 19 SWS II SDS
Weight as Tested
8247 lb. (including persons, fuel, water, gear, engines & accessories)
Hardtop
Yes
Bow Pulpit
No
Bottom Paint
No
Optimum Cruise
29.1 MPH @ 3100 RPM
| RPM | MPH | GPH | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 6.2 | 2.7 | 2.30 |
| 1500 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 1.89 |
| 2000 | 10.4 | 7.3 | 1.42 |
| 2500 | 17.6 | 10.0 | 1.76 |
| 3000 | 27.8 | 12.2 | 2.28 |
| 3100 | 29.1 | 12.3 | 2.37 |
| 3500 | 33.8 | 15.8 | 2.14 |
| 4000 | 39.3 | 22.3 | 1.76 |
| 4500 | 43.6 | 28.6 | 1.52 |
| 5000 | 48.5 | 36.5 | 1.33 |
| 5500 | 53.4 | 47.1 | 1.13 |
| 6000 | 57.4 | 53.8 | 1.07 |
300 Yamaha Four-Stroke
Twin
Engine Size
4.2L
Test Date
4/22/2022
Prop Size
15 1/4 X 19 SWS II SDS
Weight as Tested
8247 lb. (including persons, fuel, water, gear, engines & accessories)
Hardtop
Yes
Bow Pulpit
No
Bottom Paint
No
Optimum Cruise
29.1 MPH @ 3100 RPM
| RPM | MPH | GPH | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 6.2 | 2.7 | 2.30 |
| 1500 | 8.5 | 4.5 | 1.89 |
| 2000 | 10.4 | 7.3 | 1.42 |
| 2500 | 17.6 | 10.0 | 1.76 |
| 3000 | 27.8 | 12.2 | 2.28 |
| 3100 | 29.1 | 12.3 | 2.37 |
| 3500 | 33.8 | 15.8 | 2.14 |
| 4000 | 39.3 | 22.3 | 1.76 |
| 4500 | 43.6 | 28.6 | 1.52 |
| 5000 | 48.5 | 36.5 | 1.33 |
| 5500 | 53.4 | 47.1 | 1.13 |
| 6000 | 57.4 | 53.8 | 1.07 |
281 CE Overhead
Select the hotspots below to learn more about the 281 CE features.
281 CE Virtual Tour
Videos
Single or Twin Engines - Build Your PERFECT 281 CE!
Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer Intro Video
Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer seen at MIBS 2023 - The Boat Show
Introducing the all new Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer - Will Christien of FOX Sports
April 2023 - Grady-White 281 CE walk-through by Randy Vance
Grady-White 281 CE (2023) Features and Performance Video by BoatTEST.com
Customer Reviews
Industry Reviews
January 2024, Fishing Boat Buyers Guide 2024 - "Grady-White Boats 281 CE"
December 2023/January 2024, Florida Sportsman - "Grady-White 281 CE Tarpon Time Off The Beaches of SW Florida"
December 1, 2023, OnTheWater.com - "Explore the Grady-White Adventure 281 CE"
November 2023, Power & Motoryacht - "Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer"
Boating Edition 2023, Chesapeake Bay - "Six-Tool Player for Boating on the Bay—Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer"
October 2023, Fisherman - "Grady-White 281 CE"
August 2023, Lakeland Boating - "Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer"
June 2023, Southern Boating - "Grady-White 281 CE blends the best of fishing and water sports fun"
May 2023, BoatTEST.com - "Grady-White 281 CE (2023-)"
May 2023, Soundings - "Launched Grady-White 281 CE"
May 2023, Salt Water Sportsman - "Fishability Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer"
May 2023, Boating - "Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer"
May 2023, FishTalk - "Grady-White 281 CE: Exploration Sensation"
April 27, 2023, AnglersJournal.com - "New Boat Report: Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer"
January 31, 2023, OnTheWater.com - "First Look: Grady-White Debuts 28'Coastal Explorer"