Grady-White Grady-White Fisherman 236
A genuinely bluewater-capable 23-foot center console with a famously dry, soft ride and Grady-White build quality — you pay a steep premium for it.
Best for: Coastal and nearshore saltwater anglers who want one boat that fishes seriously offshore but still works for family days, and who value a dry, soft ride and long-term resale over getting the most boat for the dollar.
The good
- Sea V2 (Continuous Variable V / SeaV2) hull delivers the dry, soft offshore ride Grady-White is known for — owners report it rides better and drier than comparable same-engine competitors
- Foam-flotation construction and high-end fit and finish; owners repeatedly praise attention to detail and overall build quality
- Stable and responsive handling — testers reported tight full-power turns with no slippage, ~3.8 sec to plane
- True fish-and-family versatility: enclosed head, livewell, rod storage, fishbox, plus convertible seating for up to 10
- Strong reputation and resale value hold up well over time
The bad
- High price for the size — Grady-White carries a well-known premium; a rigged 236 commonly lands well into six figures, far above many 23-foot center-console rivals
- One owner's chief complaint was poor wiring on the boat (forum report on the early model)
- Standard helm seat lacks a flip-up bolster, so you stand close to the wheel when running — and some owners regret choosing the second livewell over additional under-helm tackle storage
- Options are pricey: owners note Grady-White charges steeply for add-ons like a ski pylon and its installation
- Modest 100-115 gal fuel capacity for a boat marketed as bluewater-capable limits true offshore range versus larger-tank competitors
The Fisherman 236 earns its reputation honestly: the SeaV2 hull genuinely rides dry and soft, the build quality is among the best in a 23-footer, and owners are overwhelmingly happy. The real catch isn't a flaw in the boat — it's the price. You pay a substantial Grady-White premium, and once you start adding options the sticker climbs fast, so a budget-driven buyer can get more raw boat elsewhere. Documented gripes are minor (early-model wiring, the helm-seat ergonomics, the livewell-vs-storage choice), which is why it lands at 4.5 rather than lower.