left to right: Todd Markusic, J.D. Power and Associates; David Neese, vice president of engineering, Grady-White Boats; Joey Weller, vice president sales and marketing, Grady-White Boats; and Kris Carroll, president, Grady-White Boats.

Kris Carroll, Grady-White president, recognized the company's long-term management team as being a large factor in continuing to deliver the customer satisfaction levels that have earned the J.P. Power and Associates ranking. "David Neese, our vice president of engineering, has been with us for 33 years. Joey Weller, vice president of sales and marketing, has been with us 21 years."

"I speak for the whole organization, including our dealer network, in thanking our customers for their support in reporting their satisfaction with Grady-White boats," said Neese. "Customer expectations, technology and society are always changing and we continue to design boats that aim to provide real pleasure in life for our boat owners."

"Grady-White is the only company in the Coastal Fishing Boats segment that has received highest J.D. Power and Associates ranking, each time that these studies have been conducted," added Weller. "We have a tremendous advantage because our company culture has always placed the customer first, and has embraced the vision of Grady-White owner Eddie Smith in striving to keep our customers satisfied."

J.D. Power and Associates overall customer satisfaction scores are based on performance in eight categories: cabin, engine, ride and handling, helm and instrument panel, design and styling, sound system, water sports, and fishing.

J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information firm that represents the voice of the customer. The company is well known for customer satisfaction studies in the automotive industry.

"The variety of coastal waters and the growing recreational opportunities for fishing, diving, exploring, sightseeing, camping, resort activities and our Grady-White dealer and club events called for a new kind of boat," says Joey Weller, vice president of sales and marketing at Grady-White. "We have the answer with this incredible Tournament 307. More and more people understand the importance of spending real quality time with their families, so we know there is a substantial niche for this remarkably comfortable, versatile and functional oceangoing boat. This boat is created with an amenities level at or above what you'd expect to find in a top-of-the-line open inland family boat. The quality, reliability, safety and saltwater-tough performance define the Tournament 307 as a true Grady-White."

Although basic flotation is not required in boats greater than 20 feet, Grady-White's Tournament 307 is unsinkable, as are all Grady-Whites, with more than enough flotation foam sprayed into the hull to keep the boat from sinking in the event of an emergency. "Flotation safety is something our company has always felt strongly about," says Weller. "No boat brand has better certified flotation properties."

"The Tournament 307 is an especially appropriate boat for Grady-White to introduce in celebration of our 50th anniversary," says David Neese, Grady-White's vice president of engineering. "In the late 1970s and early 1980s our company learned to build saltwater fishing boats that are superior in function, and this boat continues that tradition in a very family-friendly way. In the 1990s, working with C. Raymond Hunt and Associates, we refined the Grady-White ride with our exclusive SeaV^2® hull. Today, boat length for boat length, a Grady-White's ride is by far the best on the water and the Tournament 307 ride is simply superb.

"In the 1990s and early 2000s," Neese continues, "we listened to customers tell us all about what they are really doing on the water and wanting to do with their boats-and discovered that the variety is amazing. We also learned about the importance of a roomy head and seating comfort on an open family boat. Our dealers and customers upped the ante by urging us to incorporate these features and more in a boat with the size and performance to be safe and sure offshore, no matter what the conditions. Our current line of dual console coastal boats and especially the Tournament 307 is a product of our 50 years of history, and really fills the bill!"

Storage aboard the Tournament 307 is phenomenal, even for a 30-foot boat. There is roomy bulk storage under the bow seating for fishing tackle and rods, skis, wetsuits, dive gear-you name it. The starboard console offers both a big storage drawer and a big bulk storage area roomy enough for camping gear, beach toys and more. The lockable, stand up enclosed head area in the port console is convenient for a day on the water with the family. There is plenty of room in that head area for fishing rods in special storage racks that run underneath the bow seating, plus storage nets, drawers and bulk storage areas. For the kids you have aboard, you will appreciate the optional 3500 BTU air conditioning in the head enclosure, and the fold down head cover that creates a five-foot berth-just the right size for a youngster when sleepy time comes.

The Tournament 307 is most at home on a casual family fishing trip or a cruise but she will more than hold her own with any "serious fish boat" in her size range. She has the size to range well offshore for big game fish and has more than enough room to take a boat full of kids bottom fishing in the bay. She boasts a more than ample aft 251-quart fully insulated fish box, and an additional 150-quart fish or storage box under the bow seating on the starboard side. The cockpit is roomy and well equipped to accommodate trolling gear. The optional 32-gallon lighted livewell features Grady-White's full column water distribution inlet and an 1100 GPH pump. There are rod holders and rod racks galore, storage for all kinds of tackle, and plenty of room at the helm for all of the navigation equipment and electronics an avid fisherman and safety conscious family cruiser might require.

The Tournament 307 is perfect for sunset gazing or cocktail cruising with friends. A handsome optional hardtop provides protection and shade. The deluxe bench seats at the helm and companion areas are roomy enough for two. The bow area features seating surrounding a removable table that doubles its use in the cockpit area. A standard wet bar located behind the starboard helm seating includes a sink with a 32-gallon freshwater capacity, a trash compartment, and a Corian(R) countertop food and drink prep area. Under the wet bar, Grady offers a standard roomy storage drawer or an optional refrigerated drawer. An optional grill can be located under the countertop-great for on-board picnics. The grill can function with dockside power or via a battery-powered electrical system that can provide power for up to at least two hours on high without recharge.

The cockpit has a patented, electronically-operated full size extendable lounge seat aft of the companion seat, plus Grady-White's forward-facing patented fold away aft bench seating, creating what might be termed a "conversation pit" as much as a "cockpit." There are cup holders at every single seat and then some-17 in all. The standard stereo system (satellite ready) with speakers provides excellent sound.

There is a recessed freshwater shower on the transom that's great for cleaning sunglasses or reels, or for a quick rinse off after water sports. The starboard side of the transom features a sturdy fiberglass door with an oversized, super heavy-duty positive locking latch. This transom door provides access to a super-sturdy telescoping swim ladder. Grady-White's overboard-draining boxes and decks plus a pressurized raw water washdown ensure that clean up is always easy: everything just hoses down, soaps up and brushes off. Like every Grady-White, the Tournament 307 is completely self-bailing; all the boxes, decks, drain overboard by force of gravity. And of course, every piece of deck hardware aboard the Tournament 307 is premium grade 316 stainless.

"What sets the Chesapeake 290 apart from other coastal boats in this size range is just how enjoyable and easy it is to operate this new boat," says Joey Weller, Grady-White vice president of sales and marketing. "The spacious cockpit, cabin and helm areas, the very comfortable deluxe helm seating and optional "wraparound-style" companion seating, plus great visibility afforded by the large, well-ventilated protective windshield, will make this a super and safe investment for families who enjoy spending time together outdoors on the water."

"We've taken much of what we learned in the development and fine-tuning of our highly successful big outboards, the 33-foot and 36-foot Grady-White Express models, and transferred this knowledge to fulfill the requests of Grady-White customers who prefer a walkaround style," explains David Neese, vice president of engineering. "The fact is, we're the company that pioneered the walkaround 34 years ago and we've put years of refinement into this great new boat. Whether you're looking for serious fishing capability that is also family pleasing, or you're looking for a family-friendly boat complete with a roomy head and overnight sleeping comfort that can do the job right when a tuna bite is on, the new Chesapeake 290 has it all."

Families will be very happy with the transom area featuring a sturdy fiberglass door with a battleship-strength 316L stainless positive locking device. The transom door does double duty, opening wide to bring big game fish aboard, and serving as the family's swimming and diving access. The Chesapeake also has the biggest transom fish box of any boat in its class, a cavernous 265-quart insulated box with overboard drain. The box has a divider so in addition to holding the catch there is a separate area for bait or whatever you'd like to keep cool. Grady's patented folding aft bench seat (the best seat in the house!) is located just in front of the transom, and when in the up position not only really opens the deck but also allows ready access to the generator that provides power for air-conditioned cabin comfort.

The 56-square foot cockpit also has a starboard-side 132-quart insulated fish box, and a portside 35-gallon raw water livewell that really keeps bait alive with a powerful 1100 gallon per hour circulating pump plus a light and a full column distribution inlet. The livewell and all boxes are true self-bailing; everything drains overboard by the natural force of gravity.

Take a walk along the roomy walkaround to the foredeck. The Bowmar hatch on the foredeck offers great ventilation for the cabin below, and at 20 inches wide is big enough for a teenager to scramble through (try that in other brands of coastal boats)! The Chesapeake 290 also offers an improved low-profile windlass system with optional controls at the bow as well as at the helm.

The helm's all new flush-mounted, easy-to-read gauges are positioned above the big 316L stainless steering wheel. Backlit switches are easier to read in the low light of dawn or dusk, and instrument screens are right there. A handsome, newly styled hardtop encloses the helm area and has a radio box, roomy storage nets for PFDs and other items (an idea pioneered by Grady-White), spreader lights and four side-mounted rod holders. Hardtop drop, front and side curtains are also standard. AV outlets to charge your cell phone or power your MP3 player are located right at the cabin entrance.

Entering the cabin you immediately sense a big-boat feel accentuated by the use of handsome teak and holly in the cabin sole-a classic combination complemented by the attractive oval-shaped teak dinette table. Standard features of the portside galley include nice big teak shelving, Corian(R) countertops, a deep stainless sink, refrigerator, microwave oven, and an electric stove with touchpad flush controls. One look reveals genuine liveability in the new Chesapeake: the amply sized head provides plenty of privacy as well as a sink, stand-up shower and lots of space for toiletries and more. The Chesapeake should be particularly great for overnights. The starboard berth stretches a full 81 inches, and overnighters or afternoon nappers can crawl into the aft berth for a very comfortable snooze. Grady engineers think of everything: the cabin access steps are open-treaded to allow visibility into the aft berth, so parents can keep an eye on resting children. The forward low profile hatch and two opening screened windows draw in refreshing breezes. Cabin air conditioning is optional. There is also a DC television option that is cleverly fitted into the bow cabin area-a good choice if you have younger ones to entertain.