Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer Boats For Sale

The Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer is the flagship of the Coastal Explorer series, a bay-and-offshore hybrid that grew out of the 251 CE platform after roughly a decade of refinement. It carries Grady-White's CV2 hull with the company's signature Carolina flare, measuring 27 feet 7 inches on the centerline (engines excluded), with a 9-foot 4-inch beam and a shallow 19-inch hull draft that lets it run skinny bay water yet still handle offshore conditions. The transom dead rise settles at 16 degrees aft, a moderate figure that trades some sharpness for easy planing and stability at rest, while the 22-inch cockpit depth keeps anglers secure. Empty weight is 5,650 pounds, and the boat carries 160 gallons of fuel.

Buyers of the Grady-White 281 CE choose between two power packages, both Yamaha. A single Yamaha 425-horsepower XTO pushes the boat to roughly 50 miles per hour, while the twin 300-horsepower V6 setup spinning 15.25-by-19 props reaches around 55 to 57 mph at 6,000 RPM. Best cruise with the twins lands near 3,400 RPM at about 32 mph, burning 14.7 gallons per hour for roughly 2.2 miles per gallon; a more economical cruise around 29 mph returns closer to 2.37 mpg. Both single and twin installations include freshwater flush ports on the starboard side. The boat is rigged with Yamaha's Helmaster EX system, adding joystick control, stay-in-place and trolling modes, push-button start, and an integrated autopilot.

The helm uses a flat panel sized for dual 16-inch displays, which are dealer-supplied since Grady-White leaves the electronics choice open. A dedicated 7-inch Yamaha engine display sits center, switches are mounted low out of the sightline, and a Richie compass is set on the centerline. The wraparound acrylic windshield includes a standard wiper, and a Fusion stereo, lockable electronics box, and overhead life-jacket netting come built in. The optional Elite lean bar adds twin captain's chairs with independent flip armrests, flip-up bolsters, and fore-aft adjustment, plus a molded footrest at the console base. The fiberglass hardtop mounts its stanchions inside the windshield and into the console, freeing 22 inches of side deck and integrating handrails.

Fishing hardware is extensive. The leaning post holds a 38-gallon live well with Grady-White's built-in plenum, paired with a bait-prep sink, freshwater shower, tackle drawers, and a raw-water washdown. A second 18-gallon insulated live well sits in the transom and doubles as a cooler. Rod holders run throughout: four in the hardtop, four on the lean bar, six along the gunnels, and two in the transom, plus under-gunnel storage for tuna sticks. The standout feature is the electrically actuated side dive door, what Grady-White calls the sport deck, with a stowable ladder for diving, swimming, or boarding away from the props.

The bow converts between lounging and fishing without compromise. A 296-quart insulated coffin box with a removable divider sits under a double lounger, electric seat backs raise two forward-facing loungers, and removing the cushions exposes one of the largest forward casting decks in the class, reached by two nine-inch steps rather than a single tall one. A center insert lifts to form a cocktail table, and a Mediterranean stowable bow shade on carbon-fiber poles plus an electric Sure Shade off the hardtop provide coverage. The head compartment offers about 5 feet 4 inches of standing room, an electric-flush porcelain head, and access to the house and starting batteries and wiring. Foam flotation, a feature required only on boats 20 feet and under, is built into this larger hull as well. Options worth weighing when shopping the Grady-White 281 Coastal Explorer for sale include the Elite lean bar, T-top wings, 10-foot power poles, and a pre-rigged 36-volt trolling motor package.

Discover a diverse selection of Grady-White boats for sale in your area, perfect for both avid fishermen and those seeking leisurely outings on the water. Our inventory features both new and used Grady-White models, ensuring you find the ideal vessel that meets your needs and budget. These boats are renowned for their quality, durability, and performance, making them a popular choice among boating enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a compact center console or a spacious cabin cruiser, explore our listings today to navigate your next adventure on the waves. Don’t miss the opportunity to own a top-of-the-line Grady-White boat, available now!

Currently, there are 966 boats available for sale for Grady-White boats. Prices range from $6,500 to $1,395,000, with an average listing price of $180,648. The inventory includes 335 new boats and 631 used boats. The fleet is comprised of 965 powerboats. 2 boats have been added to the marketplace in the past month. Popular boat types include Center Console, Dual Console, Saltwater Fishing, Walkaround, and Express Cruiser. boats are most popular in Longboat Key, Placida, Sarasota, Port Charlotte, and Wilmington. There have been 3,210 boats listed on MarineSource that have sold in the past year. May is the most common month for new and used boats to be added to MarineSource, so be sure to check back regularly. May is the most common month for boats to sell, so be sure to beat the rush! The most common activities for boats are family fun, day cruising, saltwater fishing, offshore fishing, and long distance cruising. Most boats contain with heads, gps, joystick, radio, and depth sounder. boats tend to have an average of 2 engines. It is common for boats to have Yamaha engines or YAMAHA engines or Suzuki engines.