“TOGETHER WITH SPECIFICATIONS LIKE AN 1158L (306-GALLON) FUEL CAPACITY, YOU HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT GRADY WHITE HAVE TAKEN A GREAT BOAT AND REMADE IT INTO A SUPER BOAT FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE VERY BEST!
Grady-White Boats is a company
well known for fine-tuning
and “sweating the details” of
even very small items. In the
case of the remake of its 30'
center console Canyon 306, the process
not only led to dozens of “little detail”
improvements but also added some big,
truly innovative features–all while keeping
Grady-White signature benefits like the
exclusive SeaV2 ® hull performance.
Thanks to input from customers and dealers,
the Canyon 306 helm seating
arrangement is extremely functional and
comfortable. The Canyon bow anchor locker
set up is unlike anything else seen in
the industry. “Sweating the details” has
resulted in a Grady-White of such comfort,
quality and ease of use that this model
takes center consoles to a new level.
Traditionally, people think of center
consoles as having pedestal seats or
some kind of lean bar though Grady White
customers indicated that they wanted
something more comfortable that still
allows good visibility and easy access to
controls. Working with Pompanette, Grady
White developed the exclusive new Deluxe
II adjustable sliding seating, then integrated
this feature into what they call a
‘Command Seating Helm Area’ for a look,
feel and extreme comfort level that is
more like a fine sports car. GW positioned
the seats fairly high and added ergonomic
footrests so the helmsman and companion
have great visibility, and every control is at
the fingertips. There’s even an automobiletype
arm rest/console between the two
seats. The big windshield is safety glass,
not Plexiglas. This Canyon 306 is first
class all the way!”
An added benefit of the helm seating
is the additional space in the support
structure that is chock-full of fishing fea tures. For starters, aft of the companion
seat, there’s a roomy 178L (47 gallon)
lighted livewell equipped with an 4164 lph
(1100 gph) pump and full column aeration–
a proven system for lively bait. The
livewell features a super strong hatch and
a molded-in, through-bolted Plexiglas
insert to make checking the bait easy. As
do all Grady boxes, the livewell drains overboard
for easy clean up at the end of the
day. The area also incorporates a freshwater
sink and faucet rigging station, tackle
drawers, rod holders and an insulated bait
locker.
The electronics and power controls
configuration is another important component
of the 306 Command Seating Helm
Area. One great new feature is the
hydraulic trim tabs indicator and automatic
retractor. Throttles are up front and
center, easy to use. The electro-mechanically-
operated electronics enclosure is
adjustable to the level that’s best for the
individual helmsman’s viewing height, the
weather and time of day. Complete protection
is provided for electronics when the
enclosure is completely lowered. Plus, the
optional fiberglass T-top offers the offshore
fisherman a mammoth radio box,
rod holders, radial T-top-mounted outriggers,
net storage (great for PFDs–right
where you can see them for safety), a
dome light, molded-in sound system speakers
plus molded-in spreader lights fore
and aft.
The bow anchor, windlass and anchor
locker package is another very convenient,
very different and well thought out innovation
that makes moving from one spot to
another nearly effortless. Anchoring and
re-anchoring the Canyon 306 is a snap
with a powerful touch-of-the-button windlass
and a sturdy plow anchor designed to
extend through the bow. The anchor and rode rest in an easy accessed locker that
keeps equipment stored out of the way–a
safety plus. The overboard-draining locker
means less maintenance, too.
The bow area also features 142L
(150-quart) insulated fish boxes port and
starboard, which double as seating.
(There's another 288L (304-quart) fish
box aft.) Access forward all the way to the
bow is at one level, which really helps
when fishermen are chasing their quarry.
An optional insert changes the whole bow
to a roomy casting platform. Another nice
cushioned seat is just forward of the console
itself.
The console features a roomy standup
head enclosure with standard marine
head, shower system and a nice deep sink
with a standard freshwater system.
Fishermen can use the roomy head area
for extra rods and foul weather gear. A
screened window helps ventilation. The
console provides plenty of bulk storage
and handy, roomy drawers plus net storage
that keeps items easy to locate. All of
this looks great, too, with teak accents
and a teak cover over the head itself.
Rod storage on the Canyon 306 is a
fisherman’s dream come true. The gunwale
is capable of handling fly rod lengths
of over nine feet at the ready, or a full
trolling set of 50-pound-class tackle. Rods
can be positioned with reels forward or
aft, depending on the fisherman’s preference,
and the whole works can be locked
by means of a hinged locker door with
hasp and latch. Fishing gear is ready, out
of the way, and very secure.
“Consider the trademark SeaV2®ride,
the detail and the solid innovations on the Canyon 306, plus Grady-White's hallmark
safety features and incredible structure,
and add in superior hardware, including a
handsome stainless steel insert in the rub
rail and a battleship-duty transom door
and latch. Together with specifications like
an 1158L (306-gallon) fuel capacity, you
have to conclude that Grady White have
taken a great boat and remade it into a
super boat for those who want the very
best!
Grady-White builds 19 boat models
from 18 to 36 feet at its plant in
Greenville, NC, and has been under private
ownership since 1968. Grady-White Boats
is ranked “Highest in Customer
Satisfaction with Coastal Fishing Boats
(17-28 feet) Seven Times in a Row*” by
J.D. Power and Associates.”
