Second wave of Grady-White boats arrives for summer

We’ve been as chuffed as everyone else to see the glamour Grady-White brand get a new lease on life Down Under courtesy of their newly appointed NSW dealers Short Marine. Run by the two young Short brothers, who have been around boats all their lives, the pro-active pair quickly dispatched their initial shipment of centre consoles and dual consoles with Yamaha outboard power to keen Sydney boaters.

Following a trip to the US factory and Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the second wave of 2018-model Grady-White boats has started arriving here in time for summer. The five-strong line-up includes three hot centre consoles, a new entry-level Freedom dual console, and an amazing 37ft flagship centre console/cabin with triple outboards and accommodation.

All the Grady-White boats sport a powerful flared-bow Carolina hull with variable deadrise SeaV2 hull that packs a wave-taming sharp entry with super stable aft sections to firm up the motion at low speed and at rest. The fittings and the finish are also first-rate and the whole factory-rolled packages just work. To get a feel for the quality and ride, check out our video and boat tests on the Fisherman 236
and the Freedom 285 dual console.

Short Marine is a Yamaha dealer and Grady-White factory pre-rigs all its boats for Yamaha outboards. That, plus the fact all boat-and-motor combos are fully sea trialled and propped to optimise the performance, means you can buy with surety about speed, range and consumption figures.

If the first consignment of boats is any indication, this second shipment won’t be hanging around. The Short Marine boys aren’t averse to packing plenty of options aboard the boats either so expect truly premium boating experience with the following hot Grady-White rigs.

NEW 2018 GRADY-WHITE MODELS
Starting at the top, the current stock boat to wow centre-console fans Down Under is the Canyon 376 with triple 300hp Yamaha outboards. You will see a 45-knot top end and a smooth cruise of 25 knots with extended long range.

Right on trend, the big offshore sportfisher can cater for any fishing mission thrown its way. At the same time, the Canyon 376 has exceptional day-boating comforts including transom lounge, triple helm seats, bow seating and amenities like a grill and fridge. Down below, the cabin sleeps two, has a microwave oven, a second fridge, sink and toilet. Enjoy fishing, family flings and sleeping aboard.

The Fisherman 336 with twin 350 Yamaha outboards and the Helm Master Joystick docking system goes to the next level for a mid-30 footer. The biggest and best twin-outboard fishing rig in the fleet is also the latest centre console from Grady-White. It’s got big-boat sizing including sleeping for two below decks. The Short boys reckon this is a special centre console and they’ve gone all the way with a fully optioned fit-out.

The new 2018-model Fisherman 257 centre console is a beautifully-sized
boat. With twin 200hp Yamaha outboards, you’re looking at 45 knots and
sweet 26 knot cruise when loaded. The latest electric steering adds to
the pleasure, while a step-down separate head means the family will be
equally keen to jump aboard.

Despite its fishing fame, the biggest selling Grady-White boats globally are actually the Freedom dual consoles that cross-over to family boating disciplines equally well. The new 2018-model Freedom 235 with single 300hp Yamaha is a beautiful bluewater and harbour or bay boat based on the seaworthy Fisherman 236 we tested (link above. With even plusher bowrider-type seating, a cool deck amenities centre, and a step-down comfortable head, this is a little beauty for summer.

Last but not least, the Fisherman 216 with a single 200hp Yamaha outboard is another new model with big claims. Although it’s the second smallest centre console in the fleet, a 21-footer is big enough to roam to the Continental Shelf and Browns Mountain, chase blue marlin and big tuna, jig the deep reefs, fish at anchor for snapper, and sneak around the harbour and estuary with ease.

With swing-away backrests on the fore and aft seating and a tow pole option, Grady-White is pitching its 21-foot centre console as a family boat as much as a sportfisher. And that is where the market has shifted nowadays — to centre consoles with outboard power that the cut both ways.

Certainly, there are some beautiful boats for summer in the latest Grady-White shipment arriving now at Short Marine. We’re slapping on the sunscreen and heading that way for test drives.

More at
Short Marine.