Timeless Classics – March/April 2024

GRADY-WHITE 330 EXPRESS

By Scott Shane

In 2001 Grady-White introduced the 330 and it was received with open arms and checkbooks. It was the largest boat the manufacturer had ever produced. The 330 Express for many years was queen of the Grady-White fleet. Today, this workhorse of the 30-footer realm is still a much sought-after model and even better is still in production.

“The outboard boat achieved an unprecedented level of room, comfort and proficiency in sportfishing,” the company’s website says. “The boat was unrivaled even among many larger inboards. The 330 was widely praised along with strategic partner Yamaha Marine. The accolades included Boating Magazine’s boat of the year.”

Factory tours of boat builders’ operations can be quite informative and certainly unique experiences for those who appreciate the nuances of what it takes to build a boat transom to pulpit. Some production lines are strewn with remnant fiberglass mat and discarded parts. Others are pristine in every aspect. Grady-White was certainly the latter during my visit many years ago.

The original 330 Express was paired with a set of Yamaha 250-hp outboards. It was an impressive package that pushed the nearly 11,000-pound vessel to a top speed of 35 knots. In later years, Grady reinforced the transom to accommodate the new breed of higher-horsepower engines. The boat was so overbuilt to begin with this made the Ray Hunt Sea V2 designed, deep-V hull that much more impressive.

Brian Moleen runs his Canyon Dreamer, a 2006 33 Express, out of Forked River, New Jersey. It was repowered with a set of 300-hp Yamaha four-stroke engines just before he purchased in 2018.

“The 330 is a nice, solid fishing platform,” Moleen said. “I’ve been out in some really rough stuff and never felt unsafe; I back off the throttles a bit and let the deep-V and bow flare do its thing. The F300s seem to be the right power. She holds 350 gallons and with a full canyon load she burns 1 gallon-per-mile. She improves to 1.2 at a 25-knot cruise, once I burn off some fuel.”

Grady outfitted this boat to the nines with a long list of standard features. A generator, air conditioning, hard top, teak and holly cabin sole and full galley just scratch the tip of the out-of-the-box amenities.

The 330 Express was such an important boat of her time that every boating magazine had a review specific to the model. Here are some nuggets from the critiques of the top writers of the day, many of whom are still on their game.

“The cockpit boasts 80 square feet of usable fishing room and it comes with standard features like a transom door, coaming ads and lots of storage. The transom bulkhead contains a cavernous 270-quart fish box that drains overboard and has a handy cutting board on top,” John Brownlee wrote in Saltwater Sportsman magazine. “The transom gate is to starboard and the bulkhead features Grady’s innovative fold-up passenger seat along its forward edge. Molded boxes at the forward end of the cockpit hold a 45-gallon live-well.”

Another terrific aspect of a Grady-White build, especially the bigger models, is its attention to the cabin and creature comforts.

“The 330 shows much more impeccable styling belowdecks than most comparable boats. Grady designers do have good taste. You also get great headroom,” wrote Dean Travis Clark in Sportfishing Magazine. “A V-berth forward boasts storage on the bulkheads, beneath the bed and coaming-style cushions on the perimeter. A small dinette seats two and sleeping accommodations include a roomy midship berth. Rounding out the appointments are a stand-up head with shower, Corian counters, a well-equipped portside galley, microwave, flat screen TV and beautiful teak cabinetry.”

Owners and testers alike agree that the 330 Express is the ultimate multi-tasker. The large beam and evenly divided design of cockpit, helm/entertainment and living areas offer each assignment the necessary room to complete its mission.

“I wanted a boat that was useful in the bay, swimming with the family and cruising and fishing from the coastline to the canyons,” said Capt. Nick Veneziale of Libero, his twin, 250-hp powered 2005 33-footer. “We fish from spring to fall for striped bass, fluke and mid- and offshore tuna. The boat will always get you home and you can find a place to stay dry and slug through the weather if needed.”

Indeed, the helm deck area is well thought out for comfort and function for captain and crew. All contributors are in unison on the friendly confines.

“The helm is protected by a standard, fiberglass hardtop five people could fit under in a rain shower,” Michael Verdon wrote in Yachting magazine. “A net hangs beneath the top providing handy storage. The most impressive part of the helm console is the pop-up electronics compartment that rises from the main console with a push of a button. The compartment allows for flush-mounted electronics that would be vulnerable if left in full view when the boat is docked. Visibility from the console and around the boat is first rate.”

Moleen’s Canyon Dreamer is outfitted with a full array of electronics that fit comfortably in the confines of the pop-up helm. He has two, 12-inch Garmin screens, an autopilot, AIS, two Icom VHF radios and a Fusion stereo system he says are all within arm’s reach. Underwater lights assist on canyon nights.

The generator is diesel, so be careful at the fuel dock. The fills are far apart and well-labeled, but a helpful fuel-dock attendant or crew member might mistake one for the other.

The 330 Express has enjoyed a long production run. This beast of a vessel’s ride improved as did fuel economy and range as the outboard manufacturers started to increase horsepower. The boat that was ahead of its time has been also constantly upgraded and refined throughout its tenure by Grady-White.

Certainly, by all accounts, it’s a jack of all trades, offering many sea-faring opportunities for a lucky owner.