Grady-White Canyon 306 (2017-)

Brief Summary

Grady-White’s Canyon 306 is a boat that combines rugged, sport fishing character with a level of comfort and accommodation in design that leaves it available to double as a family boat as well. She is 30’ 6” (9.3 m) LOA, and 10’7” (3.23 m) wide, which is relatively beamy for this length in class. She has a smart array of features that cater to the fisherman without ruling out a more social, entertainment-boat application. Grady-White is looking to deliver a saltwater offshore boat that’s easy to clean and maintain with versatility.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	30' 6'' / 9.30 m
Beam	10' 7'' 3.23 m
Dry Weight	6,950 lbs. 3,152 kg
Tested Weight	9,020 lbs. 4,091 kg
Draft	21'' 0.53 m
Deadrise/Transom	19.5-degrees
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	9'4'' 2.84 m
Fuel Capacity	290 gal. 1,098 L
Water Capacity	32-gal. 121.1 L
Total Weight	9,020 lbs. 4,091 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Ratio	1.73:1
Props	19
Load	2 persons, 1/2 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	55 deg., 40 humid.; wind: 5-10 mph; seas: 1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 350-hp Yamaha V8 5.3L
Std. Power	250 Yamaha Four-Stroke
Opt. Power	300 Yamaha Four-Stroke 350 Yamaha Four-Stroke

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The Grady-White Canyon 306 is 30'6" (9.30 m) long with a 10’7” (3.23 m) beam and 21” (0.53 m) draft. It is a center console saltwater offshore fishing boat.

Mission

Grady-White’s Canyon 306 is a boat that combines rugged, sport fishing character with a level of comfort and accommodation in design that allows it to reasonably double as a family boat as well.

The boat has a 10’7” (3.23 m) wide beam, which provides room inside and a comfortable ride. Grady-White has created an offshore boat that’s easy to clean and maintain.

A bird’s-eye look at the Canyon 306 with various features plotted out.

Distinguishing Features

The SeaV2 Hull design has a moderate deadrise at the stern and steadily increasing deadrise forward to the bow, providing a stable yet comfortable ride.

• SeaV2 Hull Design. The SeaV2 is a “continuously variable vee” hull that provides a softer, more stable ride. It was designed by Ray Hunt & Associates.

Major Features

A view of the horizontal rod storage locker, molded into the gunwale.

• Ample Rod Storage. The Canyon 306 has rod storage in the gunwales, further rod storage under the gunwales, and horizontal rod storage locker that can accommodate as many as six fishing rods.

 

• Fishbox and Livewell. The Canyon 306 has a 304 quart (287.7 L) fishbox on the transom with gas-assisted struts on the big, wide latch opening for big catches. Just aft of the helm seat in the cockpit is a 47-gallon livewell which recirculates with full-column distribution for live-bait fishing. The Canyon 306 also has two additional 150 qt. (142 L) fishboxes under the seating in the bow. These can also be used for storage.

 

• Freshwater Sink. Saltwater fishing can be a messy affair between the bait and the catch -- the lean bar just aft of the helm seats feature the aforementioned livewell as well as a fresh-water sink, sitting under a latched surface as a pull-out faucet.

The tackle storage on the left and the bulk storage on right at the bottom part of the deluxe lean bar in the cockpit.

• Built-in Tackle Storage. Just under the sink and livewell in the leaning post is the insulated tackle storage, stowed out-of-the-way behind a small latched door and easily accessible when seated at the fold-out transom seating.

 

• Center console day head. The Canyon 306’s center console opens up on its port side to reveal a day head with plenty of head-room. It has a marine head, holding tank, drawers, netted storage, freshwater sink, mirror, portlight, and wood surfaced countertop.

Features Inspection

Stern

Not shown in this picture, but there is a rear swim platform, including a retractable reboarding ladder.

Swim platform. The Canyon 306 comes with the option of three different Yamaha four-stroke dual outboard engines, which rest on the integrated outboard mounting system that doubles as a swim platform. The platform has a reboarding ladder that telescopes and fits into a molded-in space on the platform.

Cockpit

The 304 qt. (287.7 L) fishbox in the Canyon 306’s transom. Note the fold-down seating is just forward, resting up against the fishbox.

Wide beam, roomy cockpit. The beam on the Canyon 306 is 10’7” (3.23 m) wide, and the space between the center console and transom is largely wide-open. This opens the boat up for quick-moving when fishing, baiting, and securing a catch in the 304 qt. (287.7 L) insulated fishbox.

The fold-down transom seating, just forward the fishbox. Note the cup holder, as well as the rod holders visible in the gunwales.

Along the transom is fold-down bench seating, the backrest for which sits up against the 304 qt. (287.7 L) fishbox, a generously sized space for the day’s catch that can fit much larger fish if needed.

Rod storage that keeps them secure and easily accessible.

The gunwales have dedicated rod storage, great for keeping them secure but easy-access later. The gunwales also have toe rails and bolsters to mitigate any leaning and pulling a vigorous struggle overboard may bring. Further, there is a horizontal rod storage locker in the gunwale that can fit as many as six fishing rods. Both port and starboard have three stainless steel rod holders each in the top of the gunwales.

The aft side of the deluxe lean bar with 47-gallon livewell to starboard and the retractable faucet to port. Note the cup holders, as well as the tackle storage latches below.

Deluxe lean bar. Moving forward, just aft of the helm seating is the deluxe leaning post. The lean bar has a 47-gallon insulated raw water livewell with a light, full-column distribution and overboard drain. This is accessed via a small latch on the counter-top of the lean bar. To port on this same countertop is a latch for the freshwater sink, which has a pullout faucet for any and all messy saltwater fishing scenarios that will arise.

Just below these, on the front of the leaning post's console, is lockable storage. One is stocked with tackle trays for an onboard tackle box, while the other is designed more for bulk storage. This rigging station also has two rod holders.

Helm

The Command Elite helm chairs, which can adjust horizontally. Flip-up bolsters are up; note the storage latch in between chairs.

Command elite helm chairs. The forward-facing end of the lean bar holds the helm chairs. These are Command Elite helm seats and are horizontally adjustable with arm-rests, and flip-up bolsters on both seats. A hatch in between the seats lifts up to reveal storage space.

A view of the dash. Note the stainless steel steering wheel with knob.

Center console. The dash on the Canyon 306 has a compass, standard gauges, an accessory panel, grab rail, Fusion stereo, and accessory 12Volt and USB outlets.

The Yamaha Helm Master system offers joystick docking capabilities, ignition control, and an information center.

One major option is the Yamaha Helm Master and an array of maneuverability enhancing items. The Helm Master upgrade comes with the ignition control, joystick docking, and the “information center” readout. This package essentially digitizes much of the control function of the boat making it easier to dock.

The steering wheel is 316-grade stainless steel with a knob and can be tilted as necessary. There is a storage latch just under the dash in the helm footrest as well.

A view inside the Canyon 306’s head, which has stand-up headroom, a marine head with electric flush, and a sink.

Lockable center console head/changing area. Moving to the port side of the center console, we reach the lockable door to the head area, which has enough headroom for standing up and features a marine head, freshwater shower, a sink, netted storage, a mirror, and a portlight. The head has an electric flush with a 10-gallon (37.9 L) holding tank.

A view of the T-top hardtop. Note the lockable storage latch. Netted storage just out of frame. Notethe good visibility forward and that the supports are grounded in the console itself.

T-top hardtop. Integrated with the center console is the Canyon 306’s hardtop, a fiberglass cover that has a number of features. First is storage -- the netted above-head storage is a great way to get simple, light items out of the way and secure when in motion.

The T-top has an extended windshield, radio box, dome light, fore and aft spreader lights, radar flat, and outrigger plates. It can be upgraded to include speakers for the sound system as well. Finally, along the aft edge are four more rocket-launcher style rod holders.

Bow

The forward-facing jump seat on the front of the center console.

Seating alongside fishing practicality. The front-facing side of the center console has a molded seat with cushions. The entire bow has bolsters around the tops of the gunwales with the deck of the bow being flush with flush-mount cleats and flush lighting to eliminate obstruction while fishing.

The bow seating section. Note the bolsters, the flush deck, and the windlass hatch.

The same bow seating section with the seats lifted to reveal the twin 150 qt. (142 L) fishboxes underneath.

A view of the windlass hatch. Note the cleat on the starboard side of the compartment. This is important because the windlass should not be used as a cleat as some builders do.

Further seating can be found along the starboard and port side of the bow section, with each seating space lifting up to reveal a 150 qt fishbox. Unlike many bow seating sections, these do not meet in the middle/ apex of the bow, instead leaving that clear for walk-up access to the windlass and bow windlass controls (controls for the windlass are the at the helm, as well).

Power

The Canyon 306 comes with a choice of three Yahama twin four-stroke engines.

The Canyon 306 can truly take advantage of that brawny build and SeaV2 hull design with three Yamaha twin outboard four-stroke engines:

• Yamaha 250 Four-Stroke (twin)

 

• Yamaha 300 Four-Stroke (twin)

 

• Yamaha 350 Four-Stroke (twin)

Options to Consider

The optional fiberglass table for the bow section of the boat. Note the lack of cushions on the seating here -- they come as an option only.

The Canyon 306 is not an options-heavy boat. The lion’s share of those offered are grace notes to what is largely a fishing-oriented basic package. Here are some of the more significant options offered:

• Convenience Package with a battery charger and dockside power with galvanic isolator

 

• Yamaha Helm Master system with joystick docking, ignition control, and information center
• Bow thruster

 

• Bow Seating cushion insert for conversion to casting platform

 

• Hull color: Cape Gray, Celestial Blue, Coastal Fog Blue, Sea Glass or Sand gelcoat; Harbor Blue paint

 

• LED underwater lighting

 

• Outrigger kit (choice of T-top mounted crank outriggers or radial)

 

• Forward-facing fold-away bolstered backrests for bow seating

 

• Removable fiberglass table for bow seating area

Observations

A roomy, rugged, comfortable boat built for fishing.

Simply put, the main attractions for the Canyon 306 is the quality of the ride, the over-all look, the practical design, and the rugged construction that Grady-White is known for. So, while this is primarily a saltwater offshore fishing boat, there may be a tendency to want to open its use up to other types of excursions.

The Canyon 306 certainly doesn’t straddle any classifications -- it is a fishing boat through and through. But the open-space design, ample seating, and the comfortable day head mean that she can make those trips in comfort and safety.