In the boating world, you sometimes come across an “updated” model that is nothing more than a new hull color or some other insignificant change. The Grady-White Canyon 386 definitely does not fall into that category. While it’s built upon the company’s existing 376 hull form, it is a very different boat.
Grady-White pulled many design elements from its flagship Canyon 456 into the 386 to give the boat a luxurious look. The most notable change, however, is how large the 386 feels both inside and out.
Grady-White placed the livewells in the transom corners of the 386 Canyon. This freed up space in the leaning post to create a rigging station that is also an entertainment area with a grill and sink.“You’ll find no other boat of its class with the magnitude of square footage that we’ve been able to create in our design process. With an eye toward fishability and luxury, we’ve crafted a boat that’s both rugged and refined,” says Grady-White product designer Christian Carraway.
Starting in the cockpit, Grady-White added a second dive door so there is now one on both sides of the aft deck. This gives the already beamy boat (13 feet, 2 inches) an even wider feel. Grady also moved the live wells from the leaning post to the transom corners. Having a 35-gallon bait tank on each side of the transom makes splitting up baits by species easier and puts the baits right where you want them when dropping back to a fish. A massive 291-quart refrigerator/freezer box sits in between the live wells. A fold-away aft bench seat is handy for rides out to the grounds and stows when fishing.
The Canyon 386 has dive doors port and starboard and a fold-away aft seat which maximizes space in the cockpit.By moving the live wells out of the leaning post, Grady-White was able to convert the area into a summer kitchen with an optional electric grill, sink, Corian countertop and tons of storage. You can still use the area for rigging, as it has knife, plier and lure holders with storage for tackle trays, but when the rods are stowed in the rocket launchers, turn on the grill and cook up some burgers. A retractable shade on the hardtop protects this area on hot days, making it even more usable.
This leaning post is stacked with features and storage.The helm is completely reconfigured and, in my opinion, the most notable change from the 376. Grady-White moved the cabin entry from the side of the console to the helm area and installed a sliding door. It’s much easier to access the head and berth below, as you don’t have to step away from the protection of the helm to walk up the side deck and climb down the steps into the cabin.
The helm is sleek and functional with flush-mounted MFDs.The helm is all black with dual, flush-mounted 17-inch MFDs. It’s sleek and streamlined with push-button stainless switches. The outboard controls, joystick, cup holders and chargers are within easy reach and perfectly stationed. The steering wheel is on center, and the sightlines through the updated windshield, which is integrated into the hardtop frame, are wide and unobstructed. There are four helm chairs with bolsters and armrests — something you don’t see on many 37-footers.
There are four helm chairs on the Grady-White 386, something you won’t find on many boats this size.To create more space inside the cabin, Carraway says, Grady “narrowed up” the gunwales, but if he had not said that to me, I would not have noticed. The gunwales still have a beefy grab rail and padded bolsters. But once you step down the curved stairs into the cabin, you feel like you’re on a larger boat. The cabin is full of natural light, has plenty of headroom and includes a dinette that converts to a double berth, an enclosed head, storage galore and a well-appointed galley. The use of teak and cherry throughout the space gives it a very high-end feel. A couple could easily spend a comfortable weekend in this space.
The air-conditioned cabin houses an enclosed head, galley and a dinette that converts to a bunk for two.The bow area was also redesigned and deftly combines comfort and fishing. The ergonomically contoured, 48-inch lounge seat forward of the helm is a comfy spot for two and has storage drawers below. After a day walking the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, I immediately tested out this spot and I can affirm it’s the best seat on deck. Additional seating in the bow includes port and starboard lounges with electric, adjustable backrests that fold completely flat to create a large sunpad or casting deck. Insulated fish/drink boxes are accessed under the seats. An electric, high-low fiberglass bow table is optional.
This bow lounge seat is one of the seats on the boat to enjoy the ride.The Grady-White Canyon 386 is powered by triple Yamaha XTO Offshore 450s and comes standard with a Seakeeper 5 gyro-stabilizer. We were unable to run the boat at the show, but we know the 376 has been a fan favorite with Grady-White’s patented SeaV² hull design, cruising at 26 knots burning 32 gph and topping out at 52 knots.
The bow area can be converted from a sunpad to a dinette or casting deck. The Canyon 386 drew a crowd on the floor of the Broward County Convention Center, and we were not surprised. “This is the boat our customers have been anxiously awaiting,” said Grady-White vice president of marketing Shelley Tubaugh.
SPECIFICATIONS:
LOA: 36’6”
Beam: 13’2”
Draft: 28”
Fuel: 410 gallons
Displacement: 14,950 pounds (without engines)
Max Horsepower: 1,350 hp
