Grady-White 251 CE Review

Center console boats like the Fisherman and Canyon series from Grady-White have grown exponentially popular in recent years, in large part due to their high performance, their legendary versatility, and their low maintenance requirements. About the only place they haven’t caught on is among inshore boaters who frequent shallow water areas. It is with those buyers in mind that brilliant Grady-White 251 CE (or Coastal Explorer) was designed for.

Built on Grady-White’s SeaV2 hull, the 251 CE offers more offshore capability and performance than what we would normally see in an inshore fishing boat thanks to some pretty nifty engineering.

Stretching 24 feet, 7 inches in overall length and riding on an 8-foot, 6-inch beam, the 3,715-pound Grady-White 251 CE has the size and mass to handle big water. Yet it only draws 14 inches of water thanks to its innovative SeaV2 hull, with its progressive deadrise.

Grady-White’s SeaV2 progressive deadrise hull  gives big water performance while maintaining a minimal draft for operating in the shallows.

In a nutshell the transom deadrise is a comparatively moderate 16 degrees – more of a modified-V profile than the 20-degree plus deep-V deadrise seen on traditional offshore boats. But as you move forward from the transom, the SeaV2 hull gains depth, providing a much deeper deadrise as it approaches the bow. It’s a bit like having your cake and eating it too – the moderate stern provides stability and a nice shallow draft, while the sharper bow eats up the waves for a smooth ride in rough water. Cockpit depth in the 251 CE is still a healthy 20 inches, so a run through the chop won’t leave you wondering if you’re going to take a header and go sailing over the side.

Above the waterline, the Grady-White 251 CE is immediately familiar to center console fans everywhere – but with a few twists of its own.

The elevated rear casting platform houses storage compartments under its flip-up jump seats.

That starts right at the transom, where Grady-White takes a cue from the bass boat guys by providing an elevated casting platform that spans the width of the stern. Three large hatches open to reveal a big 12.75-gallon center live well, plus oversized storage compartments on either side. Adding a cushion set converts the space to forward-facing seating with fold-down back rests in the outboard positions. There’s also a retractable boarding ladder when swimming takes precedence over fishing.

Between the aft seats is a generous 12.75-gallon aerated live well.

The aft cockpit is open for fishing, as it should be on any proper center console. Flush-mount rod holders surround the cockpit, long with a couple of sunken drink holders in the gunnels. Cleats are fully retractable when not in use, and all hardware is stainless steel for optimal strength and corrosion-resistance.

The Grady-White 251 CE features a self-draining cockpit, allowing any rain or spray to simply run down the deck and back out over the side, without requiring any electric power whatsoever. The deck surface is a fine non-skid, allowing maximum durability and quick and easy end-of-day cleanups.

A stern swim ladder comes as standard equipment.

The central leaning post also has a few modern twists. The sharp-eyed will note separate seat cushions for the driver and observer – both of which lift to provide access to the massive 25-gallon live well contained underneath. Across the back of the post are four rocket launcher-style vertical rod holders, plus a cabinet door that opens to reveal a storage drawer and space for three 3700-style tackle trays.

The big helm console provides plenty of space to flush-mount aftermarket electronics.

The helm is neatly designed with toggle switches for electrical accessories such as lights and live well pumps up top, the stainless steel steering wheel with its big turning knob and the engine control below, and a huge amount of space in between for flush-mounting the buyer’s choice of touch-screen displays. Twin stainless drink holders sit to far starboard, along with the control head for the high-end Fusion stereo that comes as standard equipment.

Overhead, a fiberglass T-top with four more rocket launcher-style rod holders is also standard. The frame is a beautiful powder-coated steel for a lifetime of durability.

Open the big side door on the helm and you’ll spot the included head compartment – still a bit of an unusual feature on a 25-foot boat. The head is simple but spacious, and always a relief to passengers when you’re far offshore.

A big cooler seat on the front face of the console faces forward, making it a great seat when underway.

The forward face of the console provides a cooler seat with an upholstered top, while the V-shaped elevated bow casting deck conceals twin 74-quart insulated fish boxes with drains beneath. An optional pedestal-mount table and a cushion set quickly converts the bow into an attractive seating area, and a great spot for lunch with a view.

An optional filler cushion transforms the front deck into a big sun pad.

Grady-White 251 CE owners can even get a center cushion insert to convert the whole bow to a big sun pad. This option, along with the standard flip-up back rests that nest into the deck for forward-facing seating, really speak to the versatility of this boat.

An optional pedestal-mount table adds even further versatility to an already capable design.

Not done yet, Grady-White even includes a thoughtful bow boarding ladder, which is concealed under a flush-fitting hatch on the front deck. Only the presence of a convenient grab handle betrays its existence. This is a wonderful feature, whether you’re hanging out at the sandbar or you’ve beached the boat for a picnic on a remote island.

Beaching the boat for a picnic or just hanging out at the sandbar is a lot more comfortable with the Gray’s retractable bow ladder.

Getting to that remote island is a piece of cake thanks to the high performance of the 251 CE’s performance hull design. Rigged with a 300-horsepower Yamaha F300 outboard, the boat will hit a top speed of near 50 mph running at full throttle, and cruise like a champ at around 3,300 rpm while doing 27 mph. At cruising speed, that big Yamaha sips gas like it’s on a diet, delivering an impressive fuel consumption of 7.4 gallons per hour or 3.66 mpg.

Love the idea of a center console but need shallow water performance? The Grady-White 251 CE just might be the answer. This is a truly versatile center console that blends big water capability with shallow-water draft, and in a great-looking design that exceeds every expectation.