Grady-White 251 CE: 2025 Boat Buyers Guide

At its plant in Greenville, North Carolina, Grady-White produces 28 models, from 18 to 45 feet, in Coastal Explorer, center console, dual console, walkaround cabin, and express cabin boat ­designs. 

Grady-White’s signature SeaV² hull is a continuously variable V-hull design: At no two points is deadrise the same, from 20 degrees at the transom to 30 degrees amidships to more than 50 degrees at the bow. The result is stability at rest and trolling, with the ability to slice waves cleanly, creating a soft and stable ride.

Grady-White has been awarded every third party customer satisfaction award presented in the marine industry, including all eight J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Awards for the category, and consecutive Customer Satisfaction Index awards for the entire 22 years they’ve been ­presented by the National Marine ­Manufacturers Association. 

Since 1968, the company has been under private ownership by NMMA Hall of Fame member Eddie Smith, and is led today by another HOF member, Kris ­Carroll, with 49 years’ ­experience in the company.

Grady-White 251 CE

Grady-White continues the refinement of its popular Coastal Explorer series, including the 251 CE, a family-friendly fishing machine that features forward and aft seat upgrades for 2025. 

The 251 CE resides in the middle of the three-boat, 23- to 28-foot Coastal Explorer series, all designed for ­shallow-water fishing and ­family fun in bay or inshore settings. At 25 feet, the 251 covers all the bases. To that is added the new seating format, borrowed from its siblings.

The bow casting platform transforms into cozy seating by adding bow cushions and adjusting the electro-­mechanical backrests. (A bow table package is optional.) Aft, remove cushions and center backrest, fold in side backrests, and you’ve got a splendid casting platform; reposition the ­cushions and pivot the backrests to forward or gunwale positions for grand lounging.

Grady-White says that the 251 CE earns its “Coastal Explorer” reputation, offering “more offshore capability and performance than any other inshore fishing boat.”

And it is a fishing boat, as evidenced in its built-in rod storage, including lockable horizontal rod storage, bow and stern fishing platforms, plenty of tackle storage, deluxe leaning post with lockable storage, and a 25-gallon transom livewell. At port and starboard are 74-quart fish boxes; there’s also a 29-quart insulated fish box under the forward console seat. Fishing options include trolling motor prerigging and an outrigger kit, and there is ample space for electronics at the helm. Not that the boating family is neglected: Family-friendly amenities include a stand-up ventilated head area within the console, lots of watersports-­gear storage, bow and transom ladders, and low gunwales for easy access to the water for swimmers, divers or, of course, anglers.

The painted aluminum frame hardtop contains a scratch resistant and full height integrated windshield, LED spreader lights, integrated electronics box, and storage net. The standard Yamaha F300 outboard is controlled via Yamaha’s standard Helm Master EX with Digital Electric Steering. You can upgrade to the optional Helm Master EX with Full Maneuverability ­functionality featuring ­Staypoint, Fishpoint, and Driftpoint to maintain position or heading while fishing, ­trolling, or family boating.

Editor’s Note

Grady-White’s 251 CE checks all the boxes, with a hull that can handle inshore and offshore waters with aplomb, is loaded with first-rate ­fishing amenities and gives those aboard a new level of seating comfort. -Alan Jones

Performance Data

• Test Power: Yamaha F300 V-6
• Test Prop: 15 ¼” x 18″ Yamaha SWS II SDS
• Test Load: 5,186 lb., including people, fuel, water, gear, engines and accessories
• Test Speed: 27.1 mph at 3,300 rpm
• Max Range: 228 miles (78 gal. x 3.66 mpg x 20% reserve)

Specifications

Grady-White Boats – Greenville, North Carolina; 252-752-2111; gradywhite.com