The design team at Grady-White has a knack for taking great boats and making them even better. When they introduce a feature that becomes a customer must-have, the designers will roll out the same touches on other models across the lineup. The Grady-White Freedom 345 is examplary, combining the comfort and style of the Freedom 415 with the fishability of the Canyon 456 in a slightly smaller package.
“We recognized our customers’ strong desire for top-of-the-line design details, which we noted in their reaction to the Canyon 456, 386 and Freedom 415. With this in mind, we made sure to include similar amenities while planning the 345,” says Grady-White Product Designer Christian Carraway. “This results in a truly remarkable boat that we’re sure is going to delight the most discerning customer, particularly those who love to entertain family and friends as much as they enjoy a day of offshore fishing.”
Grady’s Freedom line of dual consoles feel like an express-style boat from the helm aft, yet offer easy access to the bow, which is loaded with seating and entertaining options. The bow layout can be arranged as a sunpad, dinette or casting area. And when it’s time to drop the hook, you lower the dinette table and walk all the way to the forward bulkhead.
The large windshield is impressive in several ways. There are no gaps between the glass and the hardtop, so there’s no need for canvas or isinglass to protect the operator. An electro-mechanically operated center vent lets in air with the push of a button, while a robust door provides unfettered walkthrough access in the center of the windshield, which safely locks in the open position, saving any worry about it crashing closed as you come off a wave. Keeping the door open gives passengers the feel of an open boat, a treat on those long summer days. Shutting it at cruise speed, on the other hand, creates a quiet, climate-controlled area out of the weather that doubles as a salon with plenty of seating for guests.
One of the beauties of the dual-console layout is having two separate cabins. The 345’s port cabin is outfitted with a plush settee that transforms into a berth with the push of a button. The filler slides from centerline toward the hull side, making it much easier to cozy up for a nap. There’s also a television, microwave and storage. The top portion of the two-piece cabin door folds open like a hatch, and the door swings inward and out of the way when open. This creates wide sightlines for folks who want to retreat to the cabin but remain part of the conversation. The starboard cabin houses a sizeable, well-appointed head and the same natural oak accents and black countertops used in Grady’s flagship vessels.
Something new with the 345: Grady-White raised the wraparound dinette on the port side to improve visibility for guests who want to watch the horizon as they converse with the captain at the helm, and there are cup holders and chargers throughout for further passenger friendliness.
The starboard-side helm also pulls from Grady-White’s flagship models. Flush-mounted, 19-inch Garmin MFDs are surrounded in plush, black material for a slick, functional look. The wheel, throttle controls and Yamaha Helm Master joystick are starboard of the helm. The sightlines are unobstructed all around. And with a seat wide enough for two, it’s nice to be able to sit comfortably out of the elements with one other passenger as you put some water behind the transom.
The cockpit easily transitions from an ideal spot for a family gathering to an offshore fishing space with room to troll the rip or place anglers along the gunwales to pitch baits. Heavy-duty port and starboard cockpit doors make boarding easy—through which you can also slide a trophy fish. I really like how Grady-White installed port and starboard fuel fills, too, so you don’t have to run a fuel hose across the deck, which always seems to leave hard-to-clean black streaks on the nonskid.
The cockpit has a rigging station/wet bar with refrigerator, drawers, grill, freshwater sink and trash bin on the port side and an adjustable mezzanine seat to starboard. The inboard mezzanine seat acts like an electric recliner. You can slide the seat in and out to create more walking room in the cockpit when needed. The transom houses a large refrigerator/freezer box for keeper fish or provisions. Hot- and cold-water hoses are right where you want them to shower off after a swim. A transom livewell keeps baits close at hand, and Grady-White placed a cutting board on top of the port transom hatch so you have a spot to slice up limes or cut bait as the occasion requires.
The Freedom 345 is offered with triple 350- or twin 450-horsepower Yamahas. With the triple 350s, you’re looking at a top end speed close to 49 knots and a 26-knot, 1.1-mpg cruise. Those who opt for twin 450s can expect a top end of 45 knots and a similar cruise with roughly the same fuel economy.
The thought Grady-White put into the Freedom 345 is undeniable. She may not be the largest boat in Grady-White’s fleet, but she bears the same feel and appeal as her bigger siblings.
Grady-White Freedom 345 Walkthrough Video:
Grady-White Freedom 345 Specifications:
LOA: 33’6”
Beam: 11’7”
Draft: 2’3”
Displ.: 14,436 lb.
Fuel: 293 gal.
Water: 32 gal.
Power: 2/450-hp Yamaha, 3/350-hp Yamaha
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