2026 Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer (CE)
The 2026 Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer (CE) is a versatile luxury center console boat designed for both serious fishing and family cruising. Its highlights focus on innovative seating, dual-purpose design, and Grady-White's renowned construction.
Innovative & Family-Friendly Features
- Electro-Mechanical Sport Deck/Dive Door: A unique, portside folding platform that drops down from the gunwale to become a wide, easy-access swim platform or dive door with a stowable boarding ladder.
- Convertible Bow Seating: The entire forward area is highly modular.Electronic Adjustable Backrests: Bow seating can convert to forward-facing lounge seats with the push of a button.Casting Platform: Cushions and an optional center insert can be removed to create a large, full-beam forward casting deck.Optional Bow Table: Can be inserted for entertaining and dining.
- Marine Head Compartment: A lockable console cabin provides a roomy area with an electric flush marine head, a sink, and bulk storage.
- SureShade® (Optional): An electrically retractable cockpit shade offers easy protection from the sun.
Fishing & Performance Highlights
- SeaV²® Hull: Grady-White's proprietary hull design with a continuously variable deadrise. It's known for providing a smooth, comfortable ride offshore while maintaining a relatively shallow 19-inch draft for inshore use.
- Dual Livewells: Equipped with both a 38-gallon insulated livewell in the deluxe lean bar (with full-column distribution) and an 18-gallon insulated livewell in the transom bench.
- Deluxe Lean Bar: Features Command Elite helm chairs, an integrated rigging station with a freshwater shower and cutting board, a bait locker, and abundant lockable storage with dedicated tackle trays.
- Trolling Motor Pre-Rig (Optional): The bow is pre-wired with a mounting bracket for an optional trolling motor, enhancing its shallow-water fishing capabilities.
- Helm Master® EX: Available with Yamaha Helm Master EX (and optional Full Maneuverability with joystick and autopilot) for effortless docking and precision boat positioning (FishPoint®, StayPoint®).
- Ample Insulated Storage: Includes a massive 296-quart cooler under the forward console lounge seat and two 70-quart insulated fish boxes under the bow seats.
