Spotlight: Grady-White Canyon 456

Grady-White has produced its biggest and most sophisticated sportfisher ever — the Canyon 456 with quad 350hp outboard engines, 32 rod holders dotted about a maxi centre console layout, and a step-down air-conditioned open-plan cabin with diesel generator autonomy and comforts.

But unlike a lot of re-imagine outboard-powered sportfishers, the new flagship Grady-White Canyon 456 centre console remains a more richly appointed and technologically advanced bluewater tournament fishing boat than the production-built outboard-powered all-rounders built by social-boat brands.

From the beginning, the Canyon 456 was created for those seasoned captains looking for the top-of-the-line alternative to traditional luxury sportfishing yachts, whether moving up from a boat they’ve outgrown or transitioning from a large inboard.

The Canyon 456 is said to offer a perfect blend of tough battlewagon fishing machine and superior offshore cruising yacht. Packed and ready for adventure, the 456 has a long list of standard features and new technology that makes the big Grady-White cutting edge in its class.

ENCLOSED AV2 T-TOP

The entire helm area is covered by a stylish, sophisticated, enclosed AV2 T-top. with an integrated wraparound windshield for maximum visibility and protection.

Electronic side windows and a large overhead hatch allow plenty of fresh air, when the heating or air conditioning system is not needed. This top includes a built-in SureShade electronically retractable cockpit awning, and LED spreader lights forward and aft.

Top-of-the-line deluxe Gemlux carbon fibre outriggers are available. Meanwhile, the underneath of the T-top features digital lighting and a huge netted storage area. Ten rod holders are provided, along with four deluxe stereo speakers for setting the mood you’re your offshore adventure.

The helm holds the Fusion Signature Series stereo system controls for the bow and T-top speakers. A separate Fusion Signature unit is located in the console cabin

For extra convenience, this Canyon comes equipped with a remote-controlled anchor light on the T-top, making the transition from day to night as simple as a press of a button. Safety handrails are seamlessly built-in, just where you need them.

The starboard centre seat accommodates the captain, within easy reach of the array of electronic systems and helm controls. CZone digital switching technology enables one-touch control of on-board systems including power, electrical, lighting, heat and air conditioning… even the seacocks. A software application allows remote command of these functions from your phone, too.

HIGH-TECH ACCESSORIES
The 456 is equipped with a Seakeeper gyro stabiliser for rock-solid stability in all conditions. The Yamaha Helm Master system with Set Point is also standard, further providing enhanced performance via a hands-free virtual anchor and autohelming. The revolutionary Zipwake dynamic auto-levelling trim control system also assures maximum cruising performance. A variable speed bow thruster is standard for docking as well.

SEA CHEST FOR RAW WATER
Grady-White has introduced a raw-water sea chest reservoir from which the boat’s livewells, generator, air conditioning, washdowns, and more draw their water via remote control. This ensures there’s no shortage of raw-water volume and it’s a much simpler system in regards to preventing fouling of smaller individual sea strainers.

Few if any luxury sportfish builders can boast of a better “business end” of the cockpit than the engineers at Grady-White. The extra beam on this Canyon allows the integration of the Sea Command Centre’s amazing aft-facing fishing station, with dedicated air conditioning/heating vents and seating for three in high, dry, and exceedingly comfortable seats. The middle seat sports a flip-up bolster that serves as a lean bar.

Tackle storage is said to be truly spacious, with room for six tackle boxes plus two additional gear drawers that slide from under the bolstered seating. Portside there is a sink with an adjustable pull-out faucet hose with spray nozzle.

The starboard side has an outdoor galley featuring a refrigerator and grill for those on-board celebrations of fresh-caught seafood, or just for snacks and hors d’oeuvres.

Aft port and starboard cockpit side doors are positioned perfectly for landing fish or boarding.  Another useful feature is the hot and cold freshwater shower mounted near the starboard side door, ready for a quick rinse after a swim or dive, or to wash off your rods after a catch.

There is handy storage for six rods under the aft gunwales and, just forward, additional lockable storage for four more.

Twin livewells are located in the transom area port and starboard, adjacent to the expansive aft refrigerated/freezer fish box. This aft box comes with two partitions so it can be sectioned in three sizes, to adjust for your catch of the day.

On the interior transom wall is a thoughtfully designed area to mount an up to 24" electronic display screen, so the aft facing crew can monitor navigation directions, the sounder, and the exact position of the last strike.

The aft transom itself includes a brand new high volume overboard draining scupper system, plus a Glendenning 35-foot, 50 amp motorized retractable shore power cord.

The Canyon 456 is powered by quad Yamaha outboard engines, and boasts the Reverso pre-programmed engine flushing system to keep them running perfectly. This big Grady Canyon 456 is said to shines at night with water level LED lights.

Access to the expansive console cabin is via a sliding door with insect screen, located just forward of the portside bridge seat. Below decks, large side windows are intended to provide ample ambient light to fill the interior space. A dazzling combination of exotic wood, superb cabinetry, luxurious fabrics, and Corian countertops greet the eye, Grady enthuses.

Below the portside countertop is a full-size microwave drawer, and a six-bottle wine cooler for entertaining, while a stainless-steel sink and a cooktop are located amidships on the starboard counter, with a refrigerator drawer below. Lighted glass shelves are above the counters on each side.

Forward is an electronically controlled solid wood dining table inlaid with teak and brushed aluminium accents that provides seating for up to four. Simply lower the table for a forward berth that sleeps two comfortably. Overhead, the screened hatch offers plenty of fresh air and ocean breezes on demand. A 32" flat screen television is centred on the forward bulkhead. Retractable vertical storage for four rods, neatly set under the portside countertop, hides away when not in use.

Alongside the berth, port and starboard, are the innovative, patent-pending Integrated Rod Storage Slides securely stowing four more rods. The generous console head is starboard, and includes a lighted, mirrored glass cabinet over the stainless-steel sink, and a shower with a classic teak grid floor. A clever, elegant hinged fiberglass door partitions off the shower area, keeping the rest of the compartment dry, and creates an additional locker for another four rods.  All told, the luxurious cabin hosts lockable storage for a total of 12 rods.

A SOCIAL SIDE
On deck, forward of the cabin, the Canyon 456 has a social lounge-and-leisure platform. Atop the forward cabin, the plush lounge cushions create a shrine for sun worshippers. The bow seating area also adds some cool riding positions.

There are two large plumbed, insulated boxes portside (40 and 116 litres), and a huge 200-litre box starboard. Atop these boxes, deeply cushioned seating is complemented by three-way positioned storable backrests. These surround two motorised semi-circular fiberglass tables. When the tables are in the down position, they can be covered with cushions for yet another lounging platform.

The semi-circular bow tables allow access all the way to the bow and the windlass. Anchor rode storage is included for up to 120m of rode and 10m of chain. Drop the plough anchor anywhere the crew wants to stop.

If anglers are sight casting off the bow, remove the cushions, and there’s an ample, strong casting platform for pitching baits, flies or lures.

The proven Grady-White SeaV2 hull has been expanded on the Canyon 456, with the boatbuilder touting handling like a fine sports car on the water.

The boat has the widest beam in its category, and is the largest unsinkable boat of its kind, adding considerably to the serious long-range offshore canyon, sea mountain, kink and exploratory capability.

Tested with quad V8 Yamaha 350hp engines, spinning 15 ¼ x 19in SWS II SDS props, a couple of key figures to consider:

>> Cruise: 27.28 knots at 3700rpm with .65 MPG

>> Top End: 48 knots at 5900rpm with .40 MPG

>> 0 to 3mph (26 knots): 8.57 seconds

VERDICT
The new flagship Canyon 456 encapsulates Grady-White’s storied legacy of 59 years of boat building. But where some other fishing boat brands are going softcore, Grady-White has pulled out all stops, embraced all the technology, and created its hardest hardcore tournament sportfisher yet.

The result is a superb fishing yacht that aims to replace the 40ft flybridge game fishing boat with a modern, high-tech solution. The landed price for Grady-White’s impressive Canyon 456 is about $1.75M. We hear there’s a local buyer in the wings already. Next level stuff, for sure.