Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Grady-White 281 CE 2022 vs Grady-White Marlin 300 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Grady-White 281 CE 2022 vs Grady-White Marlin 300 2010 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 700 hp, the Grady-White Marlin 300 2010 has a 400-hp advantage over the Grady-White 281 CE 2022's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Grady-White 281 CE 2022 carries 16 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Grady-White Marlin 300 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Grady-White Marlin 300 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Grady-White 281 CE 2022 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Grady-White Marlin 300 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Grady-White Marlin 300 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Grady-White 281 CE 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail27.70 ft
Length overall - DetailWith Pulpit: 32 ft. 7 in. (9.93 m) Center Line: 30 ft. 6 in. (9.30 m)
Length - Feet27.7
Length - Feet32.58
Length overall - Meters8.44
Length overall - Meters9.93
Length overall - Inches332
Length overall - Inches391
Beam9.40 ft
Beam10 ft. 7 in. (3.23 m)
Beam - Meters2.87
Beam - Meters3.23
Beam - Inches113
Beam - Inches127
Draft [max] - Detail1.90 ft
Draft [max] - DetailHull: 23 in. (0.58 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Meters0.58
Draft [max] - Inches23
Draft [max] - Inches23
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - DetailWith Hardtop: 9 ft. 9 in. (2.97 m)
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.97
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches117
Depth - Detailnot available
Depth - DetailCockpit: 29 in. (0.74 m)
Depth - Centimetersnot available
Depth - Centimeters73.66
Depth - Inchesnot available
Depth - Inches29
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - DetailWithout Engines: 8,221 lbs. (3,729 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg3728.98
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.8221
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail9 ft. 6 in. (2.90 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal16
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Engine makeYamaha
Engine makenot available
Engine modelFour-Stroke
Engine modelnot available
Horsepower300 hp
Horsepowernot available
Drive typeoutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine 2 Engine MakeYamaha
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine ModelFour-Stroke
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail300 gal. (1,136 l)
Engine maxnot available
Engine max700 hp (522 kW)
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeGrady-White
Modelnot available
ModelMarlin 3
Model Yearnot available
Model Year201
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee