Boat Review - Grady White Canyon 326

From a company whose foundation was built on the shoulders of the popular walk-around cuddy cabin of its early days, the 21st century has brought about a shift towards more center console and dual console designs. Grady White has embraced the changing tastes of family boaters and the Canyon 326 is a fine example of the versatility these designs are capable of. A glance at the striking profile cast by the Canyon 326 reveals the traditional Carolina style proud bow and sweeping sheer line that was always there but formerly overshadowed by the earlier cabin design. The Grady White hull design bucks the trend of many modern center consoles whose lines tend more towards a racier go fast style in favor of one of a solid, heavy weather capable wave smasher. Built to provide a heavy, solid, and confident ride that instills the security favored by family boaters, the Canyon 326 is immensely seaworthy yet doesn't forego the raciness of her counterparts in favor of the big boat ride. The Canyon 326 is capable of a top speed of nearly 50-MPH while delivering 1.6-MPG efficiency at an easy 30-MPH cruise.

Something Grady White has always been mindful of is the need for balancing creature comforts and fishability appropriately to satisfy family boaters who enjoy relaxing on board but are also serious about fishing when that need arises. While the center console design may not provide the comforts below deck her predecessors offered, this style brings that relaxation above deck into the open air. Comfortable forward seating with forward facing back rests can be converted from port and starboard lounge seats to a full sun lounge bed with plush upholstery, while removing the padding provides an elevated casting deck which converts easily into an open foredeck by removing a center filler panel.

A double width sofa style bench at the forward console face adds seating for two. A fold away rear cockpit bench seat deploys quickly to accommodate more riders. For the helmsman, three across individual captain chairs line up behind a panoramic view through a one-piece acrylic curved windscreen that keeps you out of the weather while offering an expansive view of what's ahead. Two 17-inch multi-function displays at the helm face fit squarely among all other instrumentation and gauges. For creature comforts associated with a cabin boat, the ability to change in private and the inclusion of a head probably rank first in importance for day trips and the console interior on this model handles both of these jobs with ease. Over 6-feet of headroom below and a vanity with sink and china head as well as a touch of teak trim join storage for rods and gear along with access to helm electronics.

Fish features on deck include a 318-quart transom compartment and a pair of 180-quart boxes forward which like all storage holds on the Grady, are insulated. A 32-gallon live well in the transom is standard and a 38-gallon well option behind the helm station is available. A port side dive door opening makes landing a large fish simple as well as providing access to the water for divers. Matching platform extensions at the transom corners make fighting a fish around the engines less complicated and offer an easy landing spot for dockside boarding. The helm center/tackle station is configured with an optional grill and refrigerator along with a standard included freshwater sink adjacent to a rigging table with storage drawers and compartments below.

A host of luxury accessories are included on each Canyon 326 from the anchor windlass system with fresh and raw water adjacent washdowns to a two-tone fiberglass hard top with painted aluminum frame and power assist hydraulic steering. Optional luxury items including a bow thruster and Yamaha Helm Master control system, SureShade retractable cockpit cover and underwater lighting are also available.

The Grady White Canyon 326 epitomizes the enduring formula that has proven so successful for this company for so many years; build a high quality family fishing boat to last for generations, consider the ever changing demands of the consumer and give them what they ask for, and provide a platform for your customer that makes them feel like a part of a larger family of boaters and the customers will keep coming back.

Grady White Canyon 326 Specifications

Length: 33-feet 1-inch

Beam: 10-feet 9-inches

Draft: 24-inches

Deadrise: 20-degrees

Weight: 8500-pounds (w/o power)

Maximum Horsepower: 700

Fuel: 327-gallons

Base price: $283,695 with 2-Yamaha F300 CLP