281 Coastal Explorer Observations

[Gone Coastal]

I love this boat. But I do think Grady's quality has deteriorated. I say this because I've had two GW's before. The last GW I had was 2003 273 Chase, which had a bow insert. The bow inserts for the 281 CE are total crap. Words aren't available to accurately convey this point. I paid extra for the one insert. It's so disappointing. Both of the bow inserts move horizontally and vertically in an un safe way. And GW goes on and on about their safety. I brought this up to my dealer who installed spacers on one of the inserts and that helped some with the horizontal play when both are installed, but the kitchen cabinet door stoppers with 3m glue they put on have come off. If the cushions aren't deployed, the bow inserts move about 3/4 inch every which way. So imagine you're in any sort of sea attempting to throw a net or fish, or you just stand and observe, and the deck is insecure and shifting below your feet. You can't stand on this "great" casting platform. It totally sucks and I'm VERY disappointed. I even called GW and spoke to someone (not the operator) NO ONE has called me back. I'm VERY disappointed. I paid more for this boat than my house. Anyway the latches suck too. The latches on my 2003 were great. The ones on the 281 Coastal Explorer suck. The latches holding the inserts have maybe 1/4 inch play vertically. So what happens is they come undone when you use the boat because of normal movement and then you have a bow insert that has no footing. And when you hit a wave or wake in a certain way, they just make the most disturbing sound as they slap up and down. It sounds horrible and the wife and everyone else is looking at you like: is everything ok? Anyway, I know I'm complaining, but maybe someone from GW WHO CARES will see this and at least change their configurations going forward. They show NO INTEREST in helping AT ALL. I'm going to have to screw in spacers and figure out what to do with the latches having so much vertical play. I don't even use the inserts because of this. ok, I'm done. No one cares.

 

[John naile]

I agree 100 percent on Grady whites quality. Had a 2021 180 fisherman built had to sign contract so it was mine before built. By the way never do this. Boat has cracks and defects all over it . Believe it was miss handled during transport. Gelcoat cracks everywhere. Had back to dealer four times. Bull shit repairs. Yes no one cares. Good luck with your boat.

 

[Gone Coastal]

These are the spacers the dealer screwed into the one insert. I'm going to ask them to revisit this and do it for the other insert so at least the "deck" will be stable and GW safe when you stand on it.

 

[Halfhitch]

It's sad times to read stories such as these. Hopefully, someone with some sway in their management can get things turned around before they die the Bayliner death.

 

[family affair]

While it is irritating to pay top $ for quality and not not get quality or a resolution, there are some easy fixes for your ailments. The issue you are seeing with the insert likely has something to do with poor maintenance of tolerances during the build process. They won't get fixed because it would require tearing the boat apart. The alternative is finding a better way to shim the inserts to prevent movement.
As for the latches, I can't comment on the fix, but I suspect something similar is happening.
Unfortunately boats aren't as easy to own as cars. This site exists in part due to the nature of imperfect beasts requiring solutions that aren't as simple as swapping parts. Spend some time finding some quality materials and adhesives and you will be able to get your insert to work better and enjoy your boat.

 

[mjm1957]

While that it is true that it can be repaired ,it should not need to be. We all paid a premium to own a Grady and the new owner should not have to be burdened with trying to find a lasting repair when it should have been rectified at the dealer prep.As for Grady White not stepping up to help the unhappy owner , remember that when the time comes to replace this boat.

 

[family affair]

While that it is true that it can be repaired ,it should not need to be. We all paid a premium to own a Grady and the new owner should not have to be burdened with trying to find a lasting repair when it should have been rectified at the dealer prep.As for Grady White not stepping up to help the unhappy owner , remember that when the time comes to replace this boat.

I agree 100%. However you can wish for a fix in one hand and... you know how the rest goes.
I paid a lot of money for my f150. The build quality is atrocious, but it is still a better performing truck in most categories that matter to me then everything else out there. Ford took care of some of my gripes and told me to pound sand on others. For a tiny fraction of the cost of another truck, I fixed the gripes and have happily moved on to enjoy it.
I know it isn't right and isn't fair, but my world tends to work that way enough to expect it.

 

[Gone Coastal]

I still love GW and this boat. I am disappointed in their lack of interest. It’s almost like they are just fat and happy. Having owned one with a bow insert before that fit and worked great, I had no idea that 20 years later they would have evolved to this where their bow inserts don’t fit, are very unsafe, and are frankly a nuisance. And this is in a boat with much less freeboard than their traditional molds.

And to whomever said I could find adhesives to fix this defect, these are removable pieces for a reason. I just don’t get your point and am not interested in a clarification because you clearly don’t understand the point of what I’m saying. Please don’t reply. As if I don’t know boats need constant work.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

My advice , write the President and copy your dealer owner. Be polite and professional and offer them some ideas for your satisfaction and resolution to the problem. Tell Chris all the things you love about the boat and ask her for her help in solving this problem. Tell her you are writing her directly because her CS team has not stepped up to the plate. I suspect you will at least get a phone call or maybe some help fixing it.

 

[Hiflyr]

I will say my 2022 GW 257 has been at the dealer longer than I have owned it in 1.5 years but for mostly cosmetic stuff and the delays were the fault of the dealers service advisor. I will say GW stepped up and extended my warranty and the dealer let the service advisor go and the new team seem to be on the ball. I will let you I will pick up the boat when I get home from Toyko next week.