One boating company known for quality in the world is the Grady-White
Boats. It was founded by Glenn Grady and Don White on 1959 in North Carolina and
named after them. Their first boat was developed using the concept of small but
tough works of art. They used steamed white oak frames and planking
connected by brass bolts and nuts. Though the labor process was very demanding,
still the quality of their boat was very reliable because it could withstand
coastal waves and weather conditions.
Grady-White Boats had an unsuccessful year in 1968 because of a little
late knowing all the details about fiberglass, which was in demand for boats use.
They sold the company to Eddie Smith, whose family business was in
apparels and hosiery. With the help of his father, Eddie bought Grady White
Boats without knowledge about the business but the eagerness for starting his own
business trail and business principles he inherited from his father.
Eddie Smith managed the company so well with the help of Wiley Corbett in
manufacturing and engineering. The company had a very successful conversion of
boat components into fiberglass. In 1975, Grady-White Boats built Hatteras
–
204 Overnighter and entered in New York boat show. Aside from the quality
comfort their boats can offer they’ve made this model more interesting by
putting a small cabin in it. They were told it was unappealing boat at first
sight by one of the customers because of its small size.
Grady-White Boats manufactured a lot of boat models after that year and even
makes atleast one boat model every year. One of their latest and profitable
boats is their Express and Sailfish series of boats. They even have fishing and
family friendly boat model named Gulfstream 232 and their late 2006 model which
belong to the Express series, Express 305. Most of their recent models are
capable of entertaining its owners because of its stereo, flat screen TV with
DVD player.
Truly, owning one of Grady-White Boats model is really remarkable because of
its high quality boats made from high quality materials and wonderful designs
made possible by the company owner and workers hard work. They acquired the
first CSI award back on 2002 for their excellence in customer satisfaction given
by the Natural Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). They even ranked as the
“Highest Customer Satisfaction with Coastal Fishing Boats Five Times in a Row”
last February 2006 at the Miami Boat Show.
