Grady-White Canyon 326: 2020 Boat Buyers Guide

Grady-White is one of the oldest and most well-respected brands in saltwater fishing boats and across several categories; they’re at home from bays to big waters.

Popular? It’s the single boat brand most represented in our survey, its fame and presence extending well beyond the demanding North Carolina waters where Grady-White was born more than 60 years ago.

Grady’s reputation rides in large part on its hand-laid SeaV2 progressive hull. Deadrise begins at a stable 20 degrees, with wide chines providing stationary and trolling stability, and sharpens as it approaches the bow, where it splits waves cleanly and softly.

Fans of offshore center-console boats know what they want: Our survey respondents rank as top attributes reputation, value, low operating cost, and resale value, in that order; they say Grady-White serves them up. In boat performance, CC fans go for a soft, stable ride in rough water; fuel efficiency and range; and a dry ride—what owners consider to be Grady-White’s strengths as well.

Canyon 326

Near the middle of Grady’s six-boat Canyon lineup of 27- to 45-footers, the new 326 combines the line’s top attributes with midsize agility.

Features include a -full-height windshield integrated into the standard T-top, with three-across helm seating—a roomy arrangement courtesy of the boat’s generous beam. (The fiberglass T-top, by the way, has outrigger plates ready for that option.)

Handy are transom and portside doors, built-in swim platforms, and an anchor windlass with remotes at helm and windlass. The cabin boasts a lockable head compartment with VacuFlush head.

For anglers there’s a 32-gallon recirculating livewell (a single one satisfies 63 percent of center-console survey respondents; another 33 percent will be pleased by adding an optional 38-gallon second well); four insulated fish boxes, including one in the leaning bar; plenty of vertical rod holders (four in the bow and four in the console); and horizontal storage for three more.

The leaning bar is also a rigging station, with rod holders, seating, and lockable storage drawers to please the 58 percent of CC respondents who want drawer/cabinet storage.

Standard are bow and foldaway aft bench seating. Options include SureShade power sunscreen with Sunbrella canvas, outriggers, and ski pylon for pulling kids on tubes.

Survey Says: On Target

⋅Abundant vertical and horizontal rod holders and racks

⋅Tackle storage is above expectations

⋅Lockable storage

Owners Say

⋅An extremely soft ride

⋅Seaworthy, easy to maintain

⋅Easy to fish

⋅Has a hull design for stability, comfort and safety

⋅Plentiful storage

Brand Says

⋅Exceptional attention to detail

⋅Advanced helm and windshield design

⋅Inspired workforce, impassioned leaders

More Info: gradywhite.com