Sportfishing & Cruising in Comfort, Safety and Luxury

This Grady will expand your horizons. Outstanding seakeeping as Grady is known for plus the standard Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer is aboard. Quad Yamaha 425 engines, approximately 845 hours. Extensive equipment is standard-Yamaha Helm Master, Fischer Panda P12 mini Digital diesel generator with 1,163 hours and so much more. Factory build with Seaport blue gel coat plus the optional Outrigger kit - 22-ft. (6.7m) GEMLUX® carbon fiber outriggers w/polished stainless steel base. Professionally serviced by Al Grover's. The second owner is going bigger so now you get this Grady. He installed: Starlink in 2024, AIS transmit, FLIR night vision, XM weather antenna and EPIRB. Includes GOST Nav-Tracker NT-Evolution 2.0 global tracking and security + monitoring system for your vessel.

Grady-White states, "Re-imagine the luxury sportfishing yacht. Grady-White’s Canyon 456 center console, is incredibly spacious, technically sophisticated, and more richly appointed than any other outboard sportfishing boat. The 456 Grady is crafted with exceptional attention to detail and is superbly engineered for an entirely new level of elegance. It has by far the widest beam in the category and is also the largest unsinkable boat of its kind."

Our Experience Improves Your Experience. Get it Right at Al Grover's.

An impressive engineering achievement, the Canyon 456

took extreme sportfishing luxury to the highest level when

she was introduced in 2019. The semi-enclosed helm has four

electronically adjustable seats and with flip-up bolsters, and the

curved windscreen provides excellent sightlines over the bow.

Electric side windows and a large overhead hatch provide fresh

air, and the integrated hardtop includes an electric cockpit shade

that extends over the aft-facing seats. Fishing features include twin

35-gallon livewells at the transom corners, a port rigging station,

tackle storage compartments, washdowns, and ten rod holders. A

cockpit galley to starboard features a stainless-steel refrigerator,

trash compartment, and a grill. Below decks, the stylish cabin

has a standup head with shower, two outboard galleys, and a

convertible dinette forward. The 456 Canyon comes standard

with a Seakeeper gyro stabilizer, a bow thruster, and an autoleveling

trim control system to ensure stability. Among the largest

unsinkable boats of its kind, quad Yamaha 350s reach a top speed

of nearly 50 knots.

Standard Features

Safety

2 automatic bilge pumps (total 4,000 GPH)

(15,142 LPH)

Basic flotation

Bow grab rails - low profile 316 stainless steel

Captain Grady® - digital boat systems and operations guide for iPad and iPhone

Cockpit toe rails

Composite stringer system & transom - water impervious

Console grab rails

Fire extinguisher holder

Lean bar grab rails (4)

Nonskid fiberglass liner

Self-bailing cockpit w/high-volume scupper system

Stainless steel through-hull fittings

Cockpit & Deck

100% hand laid SeaV² hull & deck

Anchor windlass w/remote switches at helm &windlass

Batteries (10)

Battery chargers (3)

Battery select switches

Bow thruster

Casting platform

Cleats - flush mount (pull up)

Cockpit bolsters

Cockpit freshwater shower (recessed) - aft

cockpit shower w/20' Glendinning retractable

hose w/hot & cold water mixer

Cockpit freshwater shower (recessed) - forward

shower w/20' Glendinning retractable hose

Cockpit lights - blue LED

Cockpit side doors - port and starboard w/boarding ladder

Deck hardware - 316-grade stainless steel through-bolted

Dockside power w/galvanic isolator & 35'

Glendinning retractable shore power cord

Drink holders - stainless steel (12)

Electric reel outlets (2)

Electrical system management - CZone® AC &

DC digital switching

Electronics display mount - integrated transom mount for up to 24" screen

Engine flush system - Reverso® electronic selfcycling

Factory engine pre-rigging

Fender cleats - Phender Pro™ quick-release

Fish box - 43-qt. (41 l) port bow insulated fish box w/ob drain

Fish box - 123-qt. (116 l) port bow insulated fish box w/ob drain

Fish box - 239-qt. (226 l) starboard bow insulated fish box w/ob drain

Fish box - 459-qt. (434 l) aft insulated refrigerator/freezer fish box w/lights, digitally controlled thermostat & ob drain

Forward bolsters

Fuel capacity - 616-gallon (2,332 l) (2 - 308 gal. tanks)

Generator - 12kW diesel, 30-gallon (114 l) fuel capacity

Helm Master® w/Set Point™ - Yamaha Helm

Master Control system

Lighting - international LED

Lighting - underwater blue LED (3)

Livewells - port and starboard aft transom 35- gallon (132 l) insulated raw water livewells w/lights, full column distribution inlets & ob drains (1500 GPH) (5678 LPH)

Rod holders - cockpit (6), bow (4)

Rod storage - 2 lockable rod pods, holds 2 rods each (4)

Rod storage racks - horizontal (6)

Rubrail - high density PVC w/stainless steel insert

Seating - port & starboard fish box cushions w/multi-position, forward & aft facing foldaway backrests

Stabilizer - Seakeeper® 6 gyroscopic stabilization system

Stern eyes - heavy-duty 316 stainless steel

Storage - forward anchor locker w/rode storage

Tables - electromechanically adjustable

fiberglass bow tables (2)

Trim control - ZipWake® auto-leveling dynamic trim system

Washdown - pressurized raw water

Water heater - 11-gallon (42 l) (includes hot water cockpit shower)

Water reservoir - raw water sea chest

Water tank - 80-gallon (303 l) freshwater

Sea Command Center

Accessory outlet - 110V duplex

Accessory outlet - 12V

Accessory outlet - 5V duplex USB port

Air conditioning - 16,000 BTU w/outlets at helm

(4) & aft seats (3)

Cockpit galley starboard w/grill, stainless steel refrigerator & trash compartment

Compass

Cooler - 53-qt. (50 l) insulated box w/ob drain (under starboard aft seat)

Drink holders - stainless steel at helm (4) & aft seats (2)

Footrest - molded console footrest

Footrests - fold-down at helm seats (4)

Rigging station - port freshwater sink w/up-down swivel faucet and pull-out spray handle, tackle & bulk storage

Seating - aft facing deluxe cushioned seats (3) w/flip-up bolster center & electromechanical footrest/step

Seating - electrically adjustable deluxe contoured

helm captain's chairs w/flip-up bolsters & folddown armrests (4)

Seating - molded forward lounge seat w/arm rests & drink holders (4)

Steering wheel - 316 grade stainless steel Edson wheel w/knob

Stereo - Deluxe stereo system w/AM/FM tuner,

MP3 auxiliary audio connections/amplifier,

Bluetooth®, remote unit & fold down storage;

speakers w/LED lights - bow (2), T-top (4); subwoofers - cockpit (2)

Storage - portside 3-drawer stainless steel units (2)

Storage - tackle storage under aft-facing center seat w/trays (6) & bulk storage drawers (2)

T-top - AV2® T-top - enclosure w/painted aluminum frame, electrically sliding sunroof w/screen and shade, electrically sliding port and starboard side vents, storage net, LED spreader lights (3), tri-colored (red, blue, white) LED recessed lights (6), aft mounted rod holders (10), outrigger plates,

SureShade® electrically retractable shade w/Sunbrella® canvas (oyster)

Windshield - wraparound glass integrated w/Ttop

Windshield wiper w/washer - freshwater

Console Interior

Accessory outlet - 110V duplex (2)

Accessory outlet - 5V duplex USB port (2)

Air conditioning - 12,000 BTU w/outlets (3 console, 1 head)

Berth - forward convertible vee berth

Carbon monoxide monitor

Door - lockable sliding door w/separate screen door

Drink holders - stainless steel (4)

Forward hatch - low profile acrylic hatch w/retractable screen shade

Galley - portside galley w/Corian® countertop,

stainless steel microwave drawer & stainless steel drawers (3)

Galley - starboard galley w/stainless steel sink,

Corian® countertop & stove cooktop

Head - enclosed ventilated head area w/lighting,

Options

CE certification package (European Conformity)

Engine paint - Yamaha factory-painted

engine(s), pearlescent white or primer (425 HP only)

Hull color - Celestial Blue, Coastal Fog Blue, Ocean Mist Blue, Sand, Sea Glass or Seaport Blue gelcoat; Cape Gray or Harbor Blue paint

International AC electrical conversion - 220V (50Hz)

Outrigger kit - 22-ft. (6.7m) GEMLUX® carbon fiber outriggers w/polished stainless steel base

Rod storage - removable cockpit storage station w/rod holders (6)

Seating - 60" foldaway aft bench seat w/cushion

(in lieu of transom electronics display mount)

T-top color - underside of T-top (requires matching gelcoat color option)

Canvas Options

Easy up bow shade (black or ivory mesh)

T-top side wings and helm enclosure (black or

ivory

Canyon 456

45' CENTER CONSOLE

Main Specifications

Beam Amidships: 14' (4.27 m)

Center Line Length w/o Engines: 45' (13.72 m)

Bridge Clearance: 10'5" (3.18 m)

Cockpit Depth: 28" (0.71 m)

Hull Draft: 30" (0.76 m)

Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees (SeaV2® progression)

Maximum HP: 1700 (1268 kW)

Fuel Capacity - Standard: 616 gal. (2,332 l)

Weight w/out Engines: 24,500 lb. (11,113 kg)

The folks at Grady-White tell us that they conceived and designed the new Canyon 456 to be a luxurious – “no-compromise” – sportfishing yacht with virtually every practical amenity built-in that they could imagine. With a 21-degree deadrise at the transom, a 14’ (4.27 m) beam, a fuel capacity of 616 gallons (2,332 L) and quad Yamaha 425 outboards, she is intended to go virtually anywhere in most conditions. The level of detail, built-in comfort, and innovation is noteworthy for a boat of this size. Belowdecks, she has a large, standup head, good-sized galley, and a convertible dinette that seats four and sleeps two. But all of that is just the tip of this iceberg.

Length Overall45' / 13.72 mBeam14'
4.27 mDry Weight24,500
11,113 kgDraft30"
.76 mDeadrise/Transom21-degreesBridge Clearance10' 5"
3.18 mFuel Capacity616 gal.
2,332 LWater Capacity80 gal.
303 L

Std. Power425-hp Yamaha Four-Stroke (Quad)

The new Grady-White Canyon 456 made her debut at this year's Miami Boat Show. We think she is the best boat that Grady has ever built.

The Grady-White Canyon 456 was created for those looking for the top-of-the-line alternative to traditional sportfishing convertibles which cost several million dollars, usually require a paid captain and have annual maintenance costs that can easily go into six digits. It is also positioned for anglers wanting to move up to a sportfishing machine that is also a large, comfortable yacht but can still be easily handled. In the process, virtually every creature comfort that Grady’s engineers could imagine was baked into the boat.

The helm is fully-enclosed on three sides with the instrument and steering wheel offset to starboard. The companionway hatch is to port. The port and starboard side panels of the windshield slide open to allow fresh air to flow through on the good weather days.

Grady-White calls its helm a “Sea Command Center™” and has trademarked the term to emphasize both the care with which it was designed and the technology employed. The helm has four individual forward-facing seats that are each electronically adjustable, with flip-up bolsters to allow comfort while standing and flip-down armrests. The builder made them attractive and the multi-density foam substructure has been ergonomically designed to fit the human body and help people stay in their seats while being supportive and comfortable. The seat upholstery is two-tone and the bolsters are comfortable to lean on.

The captain’s seat is in the center to starboard and the wheel, compass, instruments, accessory switches and all controls are offset to starboard as they should be – rather than centered as we sometimes see that makes everything symmetrical but awkward.

Extremely comfortable seating is a hallmark of the Canyon 456 and nowhere is it more obvious than at the helm. Bolsters, footrests, armrests and air-conditioning are all part of the bargain.

Note that the hardtop (Grady calls it the AV2 T-top®) extends over the helm seats. Optional side curtains are available to button up the helm area for three-season boating. 16,000 BTUs of air conditioning are available and on chilly days, it can reverse cycle and pump out heat. Overhead there is a storage net for PFDs or other gear.

A curved one-pieced windscreen with minimum-sized mullions maximize sightlines forward. Vents port and starboard electrically open for fresh air when wanted, but the enclosed design will keep guests comfortable when a chill is in the air. Overhead there is an electrically actuated sunroof with screen and shade. There are blue and white T-top underside lights as well as white LED spreader lights facing fore and aft. The Fusion speakers seen above are part of a standard package of premium sound equipment.

CZone® digital switching technology enables one-touch control of onboard systems including power, electrical, lighting, heat and air conditioning — even the seacocks. This is a complex yet, intuitive system that puts nearly every function of the boat at the captain’s fingertips. We usually only see CZone systems on large motoryachts. A software application allows remote command of these functions from the captain’s smartphone.

Grady-White's sea chest is a raw-water reservoir that provides raw water for all systems livewells, generator, air conditioning, washdowns, and more. This is a remarkable system and one that we have never seen in this class of boat.

The helm also holds the Fusion stereo system controls for the bow and T-top speakers. A separate Fusion control head is located in the console cabin, and the company uses the latest Fusion Signature Series speakers to deliver the sound everywhere on the boat.

Air-conditioning vents in the dash panel and under the seats will give the captain and crew welcome cool air on steamy hot and humid days in the tropics.

The entire helm area is covered by a stylish T-top (AV2 T-top®), and a three-sided enclosure with an integrated wraparound, one-piece windshield. The forward mullions have been moved slightly back and kept narrow to maximize sightlines. Electric side windows and a large overhead hatch allow in plenty of fresh air when the heating or 16,000 BTU air conditioning system is not needed. The top includes a built-in SureShade® electronically retractable cockpit shade that extends over the aft-facing seats to keep guests there out of the sun and rain.

On the top are found LED spreader lights forward and aft. Top-of-the-line deluxe GEMLUX® carbon fiber outriggers are available. Underneath the top features LED lighting and a huge netted storage area. Ten rod holders here are fishing-ready. For extra convenience, this boat comes equipped with a remote-controlled anchor light on the T-top, making the transition from day to night as simple as a press of a button. Safety handrails are seamlessly built-in, just where needed.

Stereo System. Grady-White has installed the Fusion Signature series stereo system with AM/FM tuner, MP3 auxiliary audio connections/amplifier, Bluetooth remote, two subwoofers in the cockpit, two speakers in the bow and four speakers in the AV2 T-top at the helm. A separate Fusion stereo system in the cabin has its own subwoofer and two speakers.

With the addition of the optional canvas and Clear2Sea side curtains, the helm can be buttoned up for three-season boating. This option creates a tremendous amount of added utility for this yacht, which can really do anything and go almost anywhere adventuresome boaters would like.

The Canyon 456 is powered by four Yamaha 425-hp engines. Livewells are in the transom both port and starboard. They are 35 gallons (1,321 L) each with lights and full column distribution inlets, overboard drains and 1500 GPH (5,678 L) pumps. The black rectangle in the transom is a covered 24” screen to show the anglers' sonar and navigation data.

Hull Design. The Canyon 456 hull was designed by C. Raymond Hunt & Associates, the same firm that has designed all other Grady-White boats since the 1990s. Since Hunt invented and pioneered the deep-V hull design in the early 1960s, it is little surprise that this design firm knows as much as any, and probably much more, than most designers about the nuances of creating a hull that maximizes the comfort aspects of the deep-V concept, while at the same time making the hull as efficient and stable as possible. Grady-White has trademarked its proprietary hull design calling it the SeaV2® design, with a nod to its continuously variable vee — the science behind the exceptional ride, handling and performance of Grady-White hulls.

While not often discussed, the ride and handling characteristics of Grady-White boats are one of their most important features for safety and comfort.

The Numbers. We have not tested the Canyon 456, but we look forward to doing so. Of course, the folks at Grady-White and Yamaha have tested the boat. While they didn’t tell us how many people were aboard or the tankage levels during the test, they did say that the quad 425s were turning 16 3/8 x 21 XTO OS props and had a test weight of 31,650 lbs. (14,356 kg) — including persons, fuel, water, gear, engines and accessories. 

They reported a top speed of 58 mph at 6000 rpm, getting 0.4 mpg. Best cruise, they say, was found at 3500 rpm where the boat went 30.1 mph, getting 0.68 mpg.

Seakeeper. The Canyon 456 is equipped with a Seakeeper® 6 gyro stabilizer “to give an added element of control in the most extreme sea conditions,” according to Grady-White. In normal conditions, it dampens roll significantly. The Yamaha Helm Master® system with Set Point™ is also standard. This system used dual-antenna GPS to engage three primary control modes – Stay Point, Fish Point and Drift Point.

Trim Tabs. Also standard is the Zipwake® dynamic auto-leveling trim control system that controls both trim and balance, providing constant leveling in turns and when accelerating. It also ensures maximum capability. The Canyon 456 has a variable speed bow thruster standard, as well.

Generator. The Canyon 456 comes standard with a 12 kW diesel generator with a 30-gallon (114 L) fuel tank. The generator is required to operate the A/C and the Seakeeper systems primarily, as well as to produce an abundance of power for the rest of the boat. It is noteworthy that Grady-White decided not to install a gasoline generator, which would simplify fueling. The reason is that a diesel generator has a much, much lower carbon monoxide risk, greater longevity and less maintenance.

Other Equipment. An electrical bow thruster, 11-gallon (42 L) water heater. An anchor windlass is also installed as standard. With so much electrical equipment aboard, the Canyon 456 has 10 batteries and three battery chargers.

The cockpit and “Sea Command Center” console have about everything imaginable included. Note the stainless steel refrigerator, storage for Plano tackle boxes and drawers for other gear. The wide center seat, with bolster, for the angler on deck, three conditioning vents and a pull-out footrest. There is room for a fighting chair if wanted or the optional rod station.

We were impressed by the thought and engineering that has gone into the Canyon 456’s cockpit. The 14’ (4.27 m) beam allows the integration of the Sea Command Center's aft-facing fishing station, with dedicated air conditioning/heating vents and seating for three in high, dry, and exceedingly comfortable seats. The middle seat has a flip-up bolster that serves as a leaning bar. Tackle storage has room for six Plano boxes plus two additional gear drawers that slide from under the bolstered seating.

To port, forward of the seats is a sink under a swing-up counter that has many uses. The faucet wand raises and lowers and pulls out and can be used to wash off the removable cutting board above.

Behind the center aft-facing seat are three A/C vents to direct cool air on the three anglers or their mates.

Mini-Galley on Deck. Portside there is a sink with an adjustable pull-out faucet hose with spray nozzle. The starboard side has a refrigerator and grill, and both have swing-up cutting board for bait prep or dressing freshly caught fish. When in the down position, these cutting boards become a handy place for beverages or snacks, and the rails around them keep everything in place.

Two Side Doors. Aft port and starboard cockpit side doors are positioned for landing fish, for reboarding swimmers or scuba divers, and for boarding from a dock. There is a hot and cold freshwater shower mounted near the starboard-side door.

Twin livewells – that total 70 gallons (265 L) – are located in the transom area, port and starboard. Both livewells feed off of the sea chest and have a full column plenum distribution system that allows fresh raw-water to circulate from top to bottom. What sets them apart from many large center consoles is their size. Adjacent is the expansive aft refrigerated/freezer fishbox.

Transom Fishbox. In the center of the transom is a 459 quart insulated refrigerator/freezer fishbox – with lights – that is digitally controlled. Of course, it drains overboard. There are two partitions so that it can be made into three separate compartments to adjust for the catch of the day.

Side doors on each side of this boat make getting on and off at a dock easy. They are also ideal for hauling aboard fish, swimmers, or scuba divers.

Robust hinges and latch will keep the side doors in place. Note that all coamings have large bolsters.

Aft-Facing Seats. One of the most impressive aspects of the Canyon 456 is her functionality combined with luxury. Who has not trolled for hours, looking at the deep blue, watching for signs of curious game fish – and sitting on an ice cooler, fiberglass console, or seat with a straight back and not much padding? Grady-White has banished roughing it while fishing, with its impressive aft-facing raised seating. Raised to give better visibility, and thoroughly cushioned for comfort. Adding to the comfort are air-conditioning vents behind, and the SureShade awning overhead. The center seat has a bolster.

This is far better for trolling and then jumping to action – just one step away – when there is a strike, than the typical mezzanine seating on a battlewagon.

Show and Tell. On the interior transom bulkhead, facing the three occupants facing aft in trolling mode, is a 24" electronic display screen (dealer-installed) so the aft-facing crew can see the fish sounder, and -- depending on the sophistication of the sounder – anglers can even watch fish rising to the bait. It can also show the exact position of the last strike — all the information the cockpit crew needs.

More Equipment. The aft transom itself includes a brand-new high-volume overboard-draining scupper system, plus a Glendenning 35’, 50-Amp motorized retractable shore power cord. The Canyon 456 is also equipped with the Reverso® pre-programmed engine flushing system. This Grady shines at night at the dock with underwater LED lights. There is a hot and cold freshwater shower with a 20’ long Glendenning retractable hose that can cover the width of the 14’-wide cockpit.

There is handy storage for six rods under the aft gunwales and, just forward, additional lockable storage for four more.

Clearly, with such a large distance between the standing angler in the cockpit and fish, a strategy must be in place for landing a game fish and keeping it away from the engines and props. That is one reason why Grady-White has built in two side doors. It is also when the joystick comes in handy. When anglers bring fish closer to the boat, they will probably be fighting from one of the two stern quarters, rather than having the fish directly astern, battlewagon-style.

When the fish is played out, and the angler gets close to bringing the prey close to wire, then the captain will maneuver the boat with one side or the other facing the fish. With the large bolsters around the cockpit, the angler and mate will have plenty of support when leaning over the side, bringing the fish to wire and landing it.

Access to the belowdecks cabin is via a sliding hatch with screen, located just forward of the portside bridge seat. Once below, to port of the integrated cabin steps, is a cedar-lined locker. Large side windows provide ambient light to fill the interior space. Exotic wood, superb cabinetry, luxurious fabrics, and Corian® countertops make the cabin at the same time both elegant and cozy.

There is a 12,000 BTU reverse-cycle system dedicated to the cabin cooling and heating.

The Galley. Below the portside countertop is a full-size microwave drawer, and a six-bottle wine cooler. A stainless steel sink and cooktop are located amidships on the starboard counter, with a refrigerator below. Lighted glass shelves are above the counters on each side.

The cabin on the Canyon 456 is an oasis of tranquility and a refuge from the heat or rain topside. Note the cabinets above the Corian® counters and cooktop to starboard.

With nearby rod storage for those who eat and sleep fishing, the dining table serves double-duty as a sleeping platform with the addition of a fill-in cushion. The dinette seats four for dinner or cocktails and sleeps two. It is electrically actuated. A TV is on the forward bulkhead.

The galley has a two-burner glass stovetop and sink with refrigerator below. We like the cupholders next to the galley.

The head has full-standing headroom and is remarkably large, thanks to the boat’s 14’ (4.27 m) beam. There is a separate shower stall. The toilet is a VacuFlush and there is a 20 gallon (76 L) holding tank.

Even the shower stall can perform double-duty as rod storage. The teak grate is standard.

Opposite the mini galley is another counter for food prep with appliances below, with a flip-up panel, notched and bungeed, to hold idle tackle. Rod storage is all over the boat, both inside and outside. The teak sole is standard.

Convertible Dinette. Forward center, there's an electronically-controlled solid Sapele wood dining table inlaid with teak and brushed aluminum accents, with seating up to four. Simply electronically lower the table for a forward berth that sleeps two comfortably. Overhead, there is a screened hatch.

A 32" flatscreen television is centered on the forward bulkhead. There is retractable vertical storage for four rods, neatly set under the portside countertop, and hides away when not in use. Alongside the berth, port and starboard, are the innovative, patent-pending Integrated Rod Storage Slides™ securely stowing four more rods outboard.

Head Compartment. The head is to starboard and includes a lighted, mirrored glass cabinet over the stainless steel sink, and a shower with a classic teak grid deck. A clever, elegant hinged fiberglass door partitions off the shower area, keeping the rest of the compartment dry, and creates an additional locker for another four rods. This luxurious cabin hosts lockable storage for a total of 12 rods.

This bow is made for entertaining and sunning. When in fishing mode, the tables can be dropped down to form a platform. Noted the clean deck forwards, with a through-the-stem anchor and pop-up cleats.

On deck, forward of the cabin, the Canyon 456 provides an elegant lounge-and-leisure platform. Atop the trunk cabin, comfortable lounge cushions create a large space for sun worshippers. The bow seating area continues the theme of exceptional detail, comfort, and elegant style. There are two large plumbed, insulated boxes portside (43 and 123 quarts), and a huge 210-quart box starboard. Of course, they can be used as beverage coolers or storage.   

A touch of a button moves the two bow tables up and down. Huge, insulated self-draining bins are under the seats and can serve as fishboxes.

A rotating seat back allows the seats forward to be used chaise-style with guests facing forward. Note the fine upholstery job. Remember, this is a center console extraordinaire.

On the trunk cabin, there is a built-in sun pad with deluxe chaise seating fold-down armrests. Note the rail around the cushions.

Dining and Sunning. Atop the storage boxes, deeply cushioned seating complemented by three-way positioned stowable backrests surrounds two motorized semi-circular fiberglass tables. When the tables are in the down position, they can be covered with cushions for yet another lounging platform. One notable advantage of the semicircular tables is that they allow access all the way to the bow and windlass, and loungers need not move out of the way.

Anchor rode storage can handle up to 400’ of rode and 30’ of chain. The windlass has controls at the bow and the helm. If fishermen are sight-casting off the bow, remove the cushions, and — voilà! — there's a large, strong casting platform.

The new flagship Canyon 456 epitomizes Grady-White's legacy of 59 years of building quality boats for the toughest condition. Here's a superb fishing yacht, true to its purebred sportfishing heart and soul that takes luxury and versatility to a new dimension.

The bow is kept clean thanks to this recessed ground tackle arrangement. The anchor is through the stem and note the large cleat for the anchor rode at right, something that many builders are omitting but should not.

We can picture taking the new Canyon 456 to the Bahamas or even Down Island. She is a well-thought-out, luxury sport fishing boat perfect for the hardcore fisherman and his family.

Simply put, we think this is one of the most innovative and remarkable Grady-White boats ever built. The attention to needed – or wanted – functionality is breathtaking. The execution shows that Grady-White can go toe-to-toe with most semi-custom center console builders when it has the size boat, and the budget, to work with.

Our guess is that a number of the good ideas seen in the Canyon 456 will trickle down to some of Grady’s smaller boats, and the folks that don’t need this much boat will want to find some of the same attributes in smaller center consoles.

The Grady-White Canyon 456 isn’t the biggest mega-center-console on the sea, but it is one of the best built and equipped. It’s not unusual to see a boatbuilder stretch a line of boats, adding a longer keel and maybe spreading the beam to get more deck space between the gunwales, but the trouble with that technique is there are unforeseen consequences of simply blowing out the hull like a ­master bedroom expansion.

LOA: 45’0″ | Beam: 14’0″ | Draft (max): 2’6″ | Displacement (approx.): 28,500 lb. | Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees | Bridge Clearance: 10’5″ | Fuel Capacity: 616 gal. | Max Horsepower: 1,700 | Available Power: Quad Yamaha outboards to 425 hp each | More Information: gradywhite.com Courtesy Grady-White

Grady-White’s plan for this boat was thoughtful and thoroughly vetted by the serious fishing and cruising experience of its design team, engineers, executives and outside consultants. And it showed on our test day, when the patented SeaV2 hull took us smoothly far offshore for swordfish. Together, they infused the deck and ­cabin ­below with extreme passenger comfort and style that is planned into the shape and cut of every bulkhead, cabinet and ceiling panel.

The cabin sleeps two in a large berth converted from the elegant in-laid sapele wood dinette table.

The galley is nicely appointed.

There’s an ample-size bathroom with a roomy shower.

This genius is most subtle yet important in the cabin below. Imagine a spacious cabin under the helm that will sleep two in a large berth converted from the elegant in-laid sapele wood dinette table. A space like that must be about 9 feet wide and built to support cabinetry without head-cracking overhead beams while ­retaining the ability to hold everything firmly in place as the boat speeds through seas at up to 58 mph. Grady-White’s design employs molded-in bulkheads and supports for galley, head and berth structures that also stiffen the cabin and the hull. Overhead, beams are concave, stiffening the ceiling while providing channels for the soft, recessed LED lighting. The entire design is so natural that you might describe it as organic.

After reviewing the generous galley and ample-size bathroom with a roomy shower (that has clever vertical rod-holder storage built in), our next stop was the helm station. There, three 17-inch Garmin displays are each capable of providing chart plotting, sonar imaging, engine and systems data, and C-Zone digital switching to coordinate the AC/DC systems. For the most used electrical mechanisms like navigation lights and bilge pumps, there are tactile on/off buttons too.

Three 17-inch Garmin screens display a wealth of information.

There is Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick control as well, and the steering is buttery-smooth thanks to a new first from Yamaha: electronic steering. Turning the helm offers digital input to the hydraulic steering mechanisms, and magnetic feedback gives the skipper comfortable resistance to turn the four 425 hp engines smoothly with control, precise enough that this 45-foot vessel handles like a Lexus. Given the aggressive nature of the propulsion system behind the 456, this proves critical. Further, as we deep-dropped swordfish baits 1,500 feet, the Helm Master system kept us on station with Yamaha’s Drift Point.

The Canyon 456 blends performance with plush amenities.

Four electronically controlled contoured bucket seats installed on a solid-fiberglass leaning-post structure are separated by foldaway armrests. Each have flip-up bolsters, and beneath the seats are fold-down footrests — another clever design point that lets each helmsman decide whether to sit or stand independently of the others. Because the crew capacity on the Canyon 456 is high, so is the cooler capacity with an electric refrigerator on the starboard-side of the mezzanine seating and a refrigerated ice box on the transom, flanked by two livewells. There’s a surprise hideaway electric grill above the starboard fridge.

Each bucket seat has flip-up bolsters, and beneath the seats are fold-down footrests

Grady’s AV2 hardtop design is also organic in nature, with curved, tempered glass and power sliding windows nested in its superstructure, and an electrically extending overhead shade to cover the cockpit aft.

Aft-facing seats behind the helm seats can comfortably accommodate three passengers, and tackle storage beneath the seats keep gear organized. The optional rod-storage station in the center of the cockpit held six rods, and with those we lost count of the total rod storage when we hit 50 between the gunwales, hardtop, and lockable stowage under the gunwales and below deck to complement the array.

Shoppers hunting for direct comparisons will find a fleet of 40-plus-foot-long center-consoles on the market, but we found none that match the Grady in length, beam and standard features. Everglades’ narrower 435 ($1,085,715 with quad ­Yamaha 425s) makes Grady’s standard teak treatment and refrigerated compartments optional. The HCB Siesta 42 breaks a cool $1 million with quad 425s too, but it is 2 feet narrower and 3 feet shorter than the Grady.

Cocktail tables are split with a walkway beneath.

The coup de gras in the anglers’ cockpit on the Canyon would have to be the 24-inch Garmin on the transom — centered facing the crew, offering them a clear view of what the captain sees on the command deck.

Grady-White’s engineers kept the sun seekers in mind too, adding a large forward lounge atop the cabin’s ceiling, and wraparound lounges surround the flared gunwales to the forepeak. Cocktail tables are split with a walkway beneath to give crew access to the windlass, if needed.

You can go bigger if you want a longer center-console, but you’d be hard-pressed to get a bolder, more capable center-console than the Canyon 456.

The Canyon 456 provides a smooth ride.

High Points

• Seakeeper 6 and ZipWake dynamic trim control are standard for keeping the ride smooth and the crew comfortable.

• Both port and starboard gunwale doors offer convenient choices aboard.

• Nested in the port and starboard berths are Grady’s patent-pending sapele wood rod-storage slides holding four rods.

Low Points

• Be sure to remove rods from the hardtop’s rocket launchers before deploying the power sunshade.

• Stepping up to the helm deck improves the view but can cause you to stub a toe.

Grady-White Canyon 456 Certified Test Result Boating Magazine

How We Tested
Engine: Quad 425 hp XTO Offshore Yamaha V-8 outboards
Drive/Prop: XTO OS 16 3/8″ x 21″
Gear Ratio: 1.79:1
Fuel Load: 420 gal.
Water on Board: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 500 lb

A luxury center console with advanced fishability

• By Chris Woodward

• Updated: November 19, 2018

Performance Power: Quad Yamaha 425 XTOs | Load: N/A | Top Speed: 58 mph @ 6,000 rpm | Time to 30 mph: 10.5 sec. | Best mpg: 0.7 mpg @ 23.8 mph (3,000 rpm) All statistics except time to 30 mph were collected on fresh water with prototype engines. Time to 30 mph was collected during this Fish Trial with eight crew, 450 gallons of fuel, tackle, fresh water, ice and safety gear. Hull LOA: 45 ft. | Beam: 14 ft. | Deadrise: 21 deg. | Dry Weight: 24,500 lb. (w/o engines) | Draft: 2 ft. 6 in. | Fuel: 616 gal. | Max Power: 1,700 hp MSRP: $1,330,000 (base with quad Yamaha 425 XTOs) Courtesy Grady-White

Piloting Grady-White’s new flagship Canyon 456 is like driving a Platinum-package Ford F350 Power Stroke Diesel, like throttling the Orient Express, like flying a Learjet 85. At least that’s how I imagine it: The 456 is ­powerful and capacious while remaining sophisticated and plush.

I arrived in Morehead City, North Carolina, in late August to fish-trial the new Grady with a crew of eight, including two other boating writers. We had decided to try for daytime swordfish, based on a budding fishery that local captains have ­developed over the past two years.

We met pre-dawn at a nearby marina, where the 456 floated aglow, its LED cockpit and underwater lights bathing it in soothing blue. After stowing gear in the cavernous center-console cabin, we settled onto the aft-facing mezzanine bench (a misnomer since this flat expanse is well-cushioned) and into the four-across helm seats — all electrically adjustable fore and aft, and equipped with armrests, bolsters and footrests.

The helm unit includes an aft-facing air-conditioned bench, tackle drawers, an electrically actuated footrest, grill, refrigerator drawer and more.

Offshore Run
Our helmsman, Cameron Boltes, Grady’s ­property manager, idled us away from the dock using the Helm Master system tied into the quad Yamaha 425 XTO outboards. A light breeze cut the humidity as we cruised through Bogue Sound, meeting up with our photo boat for the 60-mile offshore run.

The 2- to 4-foot seas seemed like child’s play for this lengthy platform as we loped along at a leisurely 30 mph, turning 4,000 rpm and burning 60 gph. Boltes turned on the AC at the helm, which also pipes to the back of the mezzanine bench — something we quickly coveted, especially as the sun rose. (The 456 comes with a 12 kW diesel generator.)

With the autopilot set, the boat ran on cruise control. At the helm, we swapped fishing stories and scanned the horizon for signs of life. Rainstorms with low ceilings jockeyed around us, but when the sky brightened, the 1,300-foot depths resonated a deep purple-blue.

As Boltes throttled back, he engaged the standard Seakeeper 6 gyro ­stabilizer. While the 456 settled into a gentle sway, we could see our photo boat still bobbing.

The four helm chairs each electrically adjust fore and aft, and come with bolsters and armrests.

Capt. Patrick Shore, a local mate who has targeted these swordies, set up our one deep line, using a Shimano Tiagra 130 reel with a Hooker electric motor on a custom bent-butt rod to lower the strip bait and 10-pound sash weight. After studying the gauges, he calculated a 4½-knot current.

Shore says the first summer that captains found the swords, the fish were small — 60 to 100 pounds. Last summer, they caught a few in the 200- to 400-pound range. Most times, he says, he gets four to five bites a trip.

Boltes oriented the 456 using the Helm Master joystick and the Lewmar bow thruster, which he says helps keep the proud bow of this big girl better aligned. Once Shore dropped the bait, we power-drifted between 1,300- and 1,800-foot depths before repeating the process. In the meantime, I studied this vessel stem to stern.

Long List
Right up front, let me apologize for lacking enough space to fully describe this luxury vessel and its exhaustive list of standard features. Instead, I’ll tell you what impressed me most.

The 456’s deck remains level throughout the vessel, except at the helm, where there’s a slight step up. This makes moving fore and aft with a fish or with an armload of gear so very easy. It also elevates the captain’s line of sight, something short anglers like me appreciate, and it adds height to the interior cabin space (I measured it at 6 feet, 6 inches).

Crew can access the sliding cabin door from the helm deck. The door lies just to port of the helm face. Positioning the entry there frees the passageways yet takes nothing away from the helm layout; my tester featured three (optional) 17-inch Garmin displays, a C-Zone head unit, Yamaha Command Link Plus display, Fusion stereo, toggle switches, and a Zipwake Dynamic Boat Trim Control System.

Coaming pads rim the entire inside perimeter of the vessel, which comes with port and starboard boarding doors. That leaves the transom section completely reserved for an oversize 115-gallon fish box (the largest of four insulated, overboard-draining fish boxes) and two 35-gallon livewells with full-column distribution and sea chests for the pumps.

Built into the transom bulkhead: an innovative electronics display mount (a frame with a plexiglass front) that can accommodate up to a 24-inch screen for monitoring depth and ­location while in the cockpit!

I found rails and handholds ­everywhere. I moved from the helm seat to the mezzanine while underway and always had a good grasp on ­something metal.

Grady strategically located ­numerous gunwale rod holders, including four in the bow, as well as open and locking horizontal rod storage and vertical rod storage above- and belowdecks. My test boat also came with an optional cockpit rocket launcher.

On deck, I found a grill, tackle ­drawers, a hidden drink cooler (beneath the starboard mezzanine cushion), a sink, refrigerator drawer, trash bin, and storage for lines and cleaning supplies.

We had one serious bite during the day, but no hookups. Had I been fishing stand-up, I would have loved the prominent toe rails along each side of the aft deck. Grady also impressed me with its high-volume scuppers, sure to quickly drain away any water from the nonskid.

Exceptional Encounter
By midafternoon, we had to call it a day. I took the helm to get a feel for the 456, and found it highly responsive with easy throttles and smooth power steering. The automatic trim tabs keep the bow nearly level throughout acceleration.

Fully loaded, the 456 reached 30 mph in 10.5 seconds. The quads push the boat into the high 50s (Yamaha numbers show the boat tops out at 58 mph at 6,000 rpm). In turns port and starboard, speed bleeds off slightly. As far as close-­quarters maneuvering: The Helm Master joystick and the Lewmar bow thruster (both standard) make this as close to a self-driving boat as a captain can currently get.

All in all, this impressive, galloping center-console runs dry, and while the seas barely challenged the hull that day, whenever the 456 landed in a trough, it remained solid.

At the end of the day, I could ­officially call this Fish Trial an exceptional experience. This vessel is as powerful and capable as a sport-fisher yet handles like a sports car. Targeting swordfish, we put all our eggs in one basket, but I’d fish this boat for anything and deem the ­outcome a rousing success.

The builder's new flagship, a plush center console

By Capt. Dave Lear, Updated: April 20, 2019

The Canyon 456 is a rugged, seaworthy craft built to ply coastal waters and venture offshore with confidence. Courtesy Grady-White

During a 60-mile run for a day of swordfishing off Morehead City, North Carolina, the ­45-footer showed its mettle. The deepwater gladiators failed to cooperate; nevertheless, the Canyon proved the perfect platform for any offshore hunt. Boasting a 14-foot beam, it offers a roomy ­cockpit with port- and starboard-side doors large enough to slide a hefty ­tuna aboard. Four insulated fish boxes with overboard drain ­— a 123- and a 43-quart in the port bow, a 239-quart to starboard, and a 459-quart on the aft transom ­­complete with lighting and refrigerator/freezer with digital thermostat — afford substantial capacity to store the crew’s catch. Meanwhile, a 24-inch electronics display, integrated into the transom, enables quick sonar checks without leaving the cockpit.

Deluxe seats with flip-up bolsters, and arm- and footrests accommodate four at the helm.

Live-baiting enthusiasts will ­appreciate the twin 35-gallon insulated wells on the transom corners, both with full-column water circulation and overboard drains. Fresh- and ­raw-water washdowns let the crew rinse the tackle, and keep the deck and gunwales clean. The port rigging station features a sink with pullout faucet and stainless-­steel storage drawers. The opposite side of the aft-facing seat comes with tackle storage compartments, a cooler box and air-conditioning vents. Meanwhile, a cockpit galley to starboard features a stainless-steel refrigerator, trash compartment, and a grill for hot lunches.

Rod storage is extensive. A total of 10 holders are strategically spaced along the covering boards, while horizontal racks accommodate six more outfits. There are also two lockable rod pods and a six-rod rocket launcher on the hardtop, which is ­fully equipped with outrigger plates, LED spreader lights, electrical air vents, mesh storage, a sliding sunroof, and a SureShade retractable overhead shade.

Aft-facing seating complete with a rigging station, tackle storage and AC is the ideal spot to watch the spread.

The Sea Command Center — with its integrated systems — is fitting for a boat this size. Four electrically adjustable helm chairs with flip-back bolsters, footrests, and stylish, durable covering provide comfortable seating for long offshore jaunts. A forward molded lounge with armrests and drink holders accommodates larger crews.

The wraparound glass windshield offers excellent visibility while underway. The electronics panel at the helm is ample enough to flush-mount the largest displays, and a deluxe stereo system with multiple speakers is standard, along with the necessary USB port and power connections for mobile devices. The 16,000 Btu air conditioner keeps everyone aboard comfortable.

A port sliding door leads down to a bright, well-appointed cabin. Two outboard galleys come with Corian countertops, microwave, wine cooler, ­stainless-steel sink and stove cooktop, and elegant cabinetry provides ample storage for cook- and dining ware. A 12 kW diesel generator with 30-gallon ­fuel capacity, 80-gallon water tank, and 11-gallon hot-water heater are all standard issue. A full head with shower, and a convertible berth with adjustable table in the forepeak provide more than suitable accommodations for extended trips or afterhours on the rip, and a second AC unit — this one 12,000 Btu — keeps the cabin cool.

Twin removable tables enhance bow seating and lounging.

The 456 earns top marks for performance too. By the time we turned back toward shore, the sea breeze had built up, creating a quarterly chop off the port bow. Those conditions were easily overcome thanks to Grady-White’s SeaV2 hull, with its aggressive entry and the transition aft to a 21-degree transom deadrise. The ride was soft and true, aided by a Seakeeper 6 gyroscopic stabilizer and a ZipWake auto-­leveling trim system, both standard on the Canyon.

Quad Yamaha F425 four-strokes are the standard power setup for the 456, and they provide plenty of torque and top-end speed. In fact, the Grady hovered near 60 mph at wide-open throttle with a typical load.

The well-appointed and stylish cabin offers a welcome respite after a long day on the water.

To the delight of anglers who like trolling, the wake was clean and tight. Despite the boat’s size, it responded quickly to trim adjustment and course corrections with minimal exertion, thanks to the outboard’s ­integrated electronic steering. Meanwhile, the joystick control and the Yamahas multiengine vectoring made tight docking and maneuvering a piece of cake.

If you’re thinking about moving up in size for the enhanced range, performance and comfort, or downsizing to a boat you can run yourself and fish, the new Canyon 456, a super-size center-­console with a wealth of ­lavish ­appointments and ­dedicated fishing ­features, is bound to meet or ­surpass your expectations.

Impressively engineered with power, extreme comfort, and serious fishability.

• By Randy Vance

• Updated: April 19, 2019

The Grady-White Canyon 456 isn’t the biggest mega-center-console on the sea, but it is one of the best built and equipped. It’s not unusual to see a boatbuilder stretch a line of boats, adding a longer keel and maybe spreading the beam to get more deck space between the gunwales, but the trouble with that technique is there are unforeseen consequences of simply blowing out the hull like a ­master bedroom expansion.

LOA: 45’0″ | Beam: 14’0″ | Draft (max): 2’6″ | Displacement (approx.): 28,500 lb. | Transom Deadrise: 21 degrees | Bridge Clearance: 10’5″ | Fuel Capacity: 616 gal. | Max Horsepower: 1,700 | Available Power: Quad Yamaha outboards to 425 hp each | More Information: gradywhite.com Courtesy Grady-White

Grady-White’s plan for this boat was thoughtful and thoroughly vetted by the serious fishing and cruising experience of its design team, engineers, executives and outside consultants. And it showed on our test day, when the patented SeaV2 hull took us smoothly far offshore for swordfish. Together, they infused the deck and ­cabin ­below with extreme passenger comfort and style that is planned into the shape and cut of every bulkhead, cabinet and ceiling panel.

The cabin sleeps two in a large berth converted from the elegant in-laid sapele wood dinette table. Courtesy Grady-White

The galley is nicely appointed. Courtesy Grady-White

There’s an ample-size bathroom with a roomy shower. Courtesy Grady-White

This genius is most subtle yet important in the cabin below. Imagine a spacious cabin under the helm that will sleep two in a large berth converted from the elegant in-laid sapele wood dinette table. A space like that must be about 9 feet wide and built to support cabinetry without head-cracking overhead beams while ­retaining the ability to hold everything firmly in place as the boat speeds through seas at up to 58 mph. Grady-White’s design employs molded-in bulkheads and supports for galley, head and berth structures that also stiffen the cabin and the hull. Overhead, beams are concave, stiffening the ceiling while providing channels for the soft, recessed LED lighting. The entire design is so natural that you might describe it as organic.

After reviewing the generous galley and ample-size bathroom with a roomy shower (that has clever vertical rod-holder storage built in), our next stop was the helm station. There, three 17-inch Garmin displays are each capable of providing chart plotting, sonar imaging, engine and systems data, and C-Zone digital switching to coordinate the AC/DC systems. For the most used electrical mechanisms like navigation lights and bilge pumps, there are tactile on/off buttons too.

Three 17-inch Garmin screens display a wealth of information. Courtesy Grady-White

There is Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick control as well, and the steering is buttery-smooth thanks to a new first from Yamaha: electronic steering. Turning the helm offers digital input to the hydraulic steering mechanisms, and magnetic feedback gives the skipper comfortable resistance to turn the four 425 hp engines smoothly with control, precise enough that this 45-foot vessel handles like a Lexus. Given the aggressive nature of the propulsion system behind the 456, this proves critical. Further, as we deep-dropped swordfish baits 1,500 feet, the Helm Master system kept us on station with Yamaha’s Drift Point.

The Canyon 456 blends performance with plush amenities. Courtesy Grady-White

Four electronically controlled contoured bucket seats installed on a solid-fiberglass leaning-post structure are separated by foldaway armrests. Each have flip-up bolsters, and beneath the seats are fold-down footrests — another clever design point that lets each helmsman decide whether to sit or stand independently of the others. Because the crew capacity on the Canyon 456 is high, so is the cooler capacity with an electric refrigerator on the starboard-side of the mezzanine seating and a refrigerated ice box on the transom, flanked by two livewells. There’s a surprise hideaway electric grill above the starboard fridge.

Each bucket seat has flip-up bolsters, and beneath the seats are fold-down footrests Courtesy Grady-White

Grady’s AV2 hardtop design is also organic in nature, with curved, tempered glass and power sliding windows nested in its superstructure, and an electrically extending overhead shade to cover the cockpit aft.

Aft-facing seats behind the helm seats can comfortably accommodate three passengers, and tackle storage beneath the seats keep gear organized. The optional rod-storage station in the center of the cockpit held six rods, and with those we lost count of the total rod storage when we hit 50 between the gunwales, hardtop, and lockable stowage under the gunwales and below deck to complement the array.

Read Next: Five of the Biggest Center Consoles Ever Built

Shoppers hunting for direct comparisons will find a fleet of 40-plus-foot-long center-consoles on the market, but we found none that match the Grady in length, beam and standard features. Everglades’ narrower 435 ($1,085,715 with quad ­Yamaha 425s) makes Grady’s standard teak treatment and refrigerated compartments optional. The HCB Siesta 42 breaks a cool $1 million with quad 425s too, but it is 2 feet narrower and 3 feet shorter than the Grady.

Cocktail tables are split with a walkway beneath. Courtesy Grady-White

The coup de gras in the anglers’ cockpit on the Canyon would have to be the 24-inch Garmin on the transom — centered facing the crew, offering them a clear view of what the captain sees on the command deck.

Grady-White’s engineers kept the sun seekers in mind too, adding a large forward lounge atop the cabin’s ceiling, and wraparound lounges surround the flared gunwales to the forepeak. Cocktail tables are split with a walkway beneath to give crew access to the windlass, if needed.

You can go bigger if you want a longer center-console, but you’d be hard-pressed to get a bolder, more capable center-console than the Canyon 456.

The Canyon 456 provides a smooth ride.

High Points

• Seakeeper 6 and ZipWake dynamic trim control are standard for keeping the ride smooth and the crew comfortable.

• Both port and starboard gunwale doors offer convenient choices aboard.

• Nested in the port and starboard berths are Grady’s patent-pending sapele wood rod-storage slides holding four rods.

Low Points

• Be sure to remove rods from the hardtop’s rocket launchers before deploying the power sunshade.

• Stepping up to the helm deck improves the view but can cause you to stub a toe.

Price: $1,400,000 (with test power)

Available Power: Outboard

Grady-White Canyon 456 Certified Test Result Boating Magazine

How We Tested
Engine: Quad 425 hp XTO Offshore Yamaha V-8 outboards
Drive/Prop: XTO OS 16 3/8″ x 21″
Gear Ratio: 1.79:1
Fuel Load: 420 gal.
Water on Board: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 500 lb

By Lenny Rudow

March 15, 2018

The Grady-White Canyon 456 is the biggest Grady White center console ever built. If size matters when you’re looking at a new fishing boat, then this is one you’ll want to take an in-depth look at—starting with this First Look Video, which we shot at the Miami International Boat Show during its unveiling.
In this case, although we are talking about a Grady-White, we do use the term “fishing boat” a bit loosely. Yes, the Canyon 456 has all the features you need to bag everything from a minnow to a marlin. There’s a huge 459-quart fishbox with integrated freezer coils and a digitally controlled thermostat built into the transom, flanked by a pair of 35-gallon insulated livewells with full column water inlets. The back of the hard-top pipework has a full array of rocket launchers to complement the six flush rod holders in the cockpit and four more in the bow. The inwales are so dang long Grady includes not one but two sets of under-gunwale rodracks on both sides of the boat, which also have locking hatches that close over the aft end to protect your reels. There’s plenty of tackle stowage built into the mezzanine-style seating. And as expected, the cockpit is rather enormous.

But lest you imagine a rough-and-tumble fish-fighting arena, know that this cockpit is also designed to pamper. It has chilled air blasting from the outdoor air conditioning, right behind the triple aft-facing mezzanine-style seats and also at the helm station. While the mezzanine seating may be ideal for bait-watching, it’s also ideal for sunbathing. And we’d agree that the giant LCD screen mounted in the transom could be used for fish-hunting with the fishfinder, but it seems a lot more likely to be used for entertaining views of things like dredge-cams and other underwater video feeds. Fishing boat? Nah—the Grady-White Canyon 456 is really more of a center console yacht that you can fish from.

The Canyon 456 is one massive center console, and in truth is more yacht than boat.

To be a yacht, of course, you need accommodations. Never fear, there’s plenty of room for a serious cabin inside that huge center console. It has a forward dinette that converts into a berth, a fully-enclosed stand-up head with a separate shower stall, and a galley with a refrigerator, microwave oven, cook-top, and six-bottle wine chiller. The entire space is chilled, too, via a 12,00 Btu air-conditioning system that comes standard. The cabin also has a yacht-like feel, with a teak sole and a teak dinette table, wine glass racks over the galley, and integrated lighting in the overhead.

Gentrified though it may be, the cabin does not ignore the angler in you. It has multiple rod stowage areas built-in, each of which is quite clever and makes use of space in unexpected ways. To either side of the V-berth, there are racks for a pair of rigs as large as 30’s tucked under the side-decks. The would be a major pain in the butt to access there, accept that Grady-White came up with that utterly ingenious way of accessing the space that we saw in the video: grab the rack itself, pull inboard, and it slides out on tracks for easy access. A clip-down top holds the rods in place no matter how rough it gets, but can be popped free with one hand.

Four more rods can sit in vertical holders by the galley, where they’re secured in place with a slide-uot support. This is a bit less impressive than those forward racks but it’s an effective way of stowing rods, and there’s one more surprise in store. Duck into the head, swing out the door laying against the aft bulkhead (which serves as the divider between the commode and shower stall) and you’ll discover another set of four vertical holders in a spot where it didn’t seem possible to locate a darn thing. Added bonus: fire up the shower, and the stall acts as a post-fishing washdown closet for your gear.

Between the berth, head, and galley rodracks, there’s dedicated stowage for 12 full-sized offshore rigs in the cabin of the Canyon 456.
Up in the bow, more yacht-like features abound. As is true on most giant center consoles, the top of the console cabin supports a monstrous sunpad. It boasts a thickly-cushioned backrest, and fold-down arm rests. The bow is so utterly huge, however, that there’s still room for a full forward bow cockpit with wrap-around seating and a split-table dinette. As such the bow isn’t dedicated fishing territory by a long shot, and you wouldn’t want to station more than a pair of anglers forward of the console while drift fishing or casting. But it does offer plenty of relaxing and socializing space—space which any yacht needs, of course. And again, considering the boat’s sheer volume, we wonder if it will ever make much of a difference to all but the hardest-core anglers. After all, you can still find room for eight o...