Grady-White Boats for Sale
Grady-White builds saltwater boats in Greenville, North Carolina, and has since 1959. They hold their value very well, which means you need to know what you're paying for on a used one.
Glen Grady, Don White and Eddie Smith
Glen Grady and Don White started the company in Greenville in 1959, building wooden boats for the coast. In 1968, a 26-year-old named Eddie Smith bought the struggling company and moved it from wood to fiberglass. Smith ran Grady-White for decades and made it one of the best-known names in offshore family fishing boats.
The SeaV2 hull
In 1989 Grady-White introduced the SeaV2 hull, designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates, the firm behind the deep-V. It debuted on the Marlin 28. Grady-White calls it a continuously variable V-bottom, and it's on every boat the company builds today.
The lineup
- Center consoles from 18 to 45 feet. The Fisherman series (180, 216, 236, 257) are the smaller boats. The Canyon series (266, 271, 306, 326, 336, 386 and 456) are offshore boats.
- Dual consoles, including the Freedom models, from 21 to 41 feet. These are family boats that still fish.
- Walkaround cabins from 21 to 30 feet, such as the Adventure and Seafarer names you'll see on older listings.
- Express cabins of 34 and 37 feet.
- Coastal Explorers from 23 to 32 feet.
The model number usually gives the length class, so a Canyon 306 is about 30 feet and a Fisherman 236 is about 23.
What to check on a used Grady-White
Year and construction. Ask what year the boat was built, and check the hull ID. Older Gradys are a different boat from newer ones.
Outboards. Grady-Whites have been outboard-only for a long time, and most use Yamaha. Get the hours and records, and have a mechanic check compression and the lower units. On a twin, check that both engines match in hours and condition.
Decks and transom. On older boats, have a surveyor check the decks, transom and stringers for wet core.
Hardware and T-top. Look at the T-top, rails and deck hardware for cracks and corrosion.
Pumps and livewells. Run every pump, livewell and washdown.
Electronics. Find out how old they are and what's been added. Old electronics on a resale boat aren't worth much.
Price. Grady-Whites usually sell for more than similar boats. Compare a few listings for the same model and year before you make an offer.
2 boats for sale
Frequently asked questions
Where are Grady-White boats made?
Greenville, North Carolina.
Who designed the Grady-White SeaV2 hull?
C. Raymond Hunt Associates. It was introduced in 1989 on the Marlin 28.
Who owns Grady-White?
Eddie Smith bought the company in 1968. It is still privately owned.
What is the smallest Grady-White?
The Fisherman 180 is the smallest center console in the current lineup, at 18 feet.