340 Review

[Fishtales]

 

[Fishtales]

I like the center helm elimination. Same 330 hull, layout change looks nice, add a foot to the model (although not really there) and charge a bunch more. Seems like the standard play.

 

[Automated14]

I have an '04... center helm is the worst part of the boat. Helm area is pretty big but you can barely nove around in there. glad they did away with it. with the availability of 400+ hp outboards, I can't see the logic in trips. I'd love to see this hull with twin v10 400's which clearly won't happen from the factory lol. still.. mid 50's in a tub like this (with twin 450's) is more than enough.

 

[Fishtales]

Agree. Fix the transom and you have a winner.

 

[HMBJack]

I personally love the center helm for fishability and sight lines when docking.

GW is clearly building boats to sell them to rich folks in warm climates (i.e. Florida).
I can't knock them for that. Smart marketing.

However, this boat is far less "fishy" than the 330. GW would be wise to offer a "341" or something that is the "Fisherman's" model. For example:
- Take away half of the cushions,
- Install an ice maker in the space of the starboard grill and cockpit fridge,
- Add a second livewell in the space of the large transom lift up compartment (could be fish storage).
- Add more storage for rods inside the cabin (over the vee berth) where they can locked away and out of sight.

With the same hull, they could do the above (and more) to be more suitable for the Fisherman enthusiast who is no longer taking the wife and kids out and pulling inner tubes behind the boat. Just sayin.

 

[Fishtales]

I don't know. The center helm was quite tight for a boat that size. To each his own, but I'd never go for a center helm in anything smaller than a 45'er.

 

[Automated14]

I don't know. The center helm was quite tight for a boat that size. To each his own, but I'd never go for a center helm in anything smaller than a 45'er.

It's so tight. if someone is sitting on the port side seat, you're ass or your junk is always in their face if you need to get into the cabin. center cabin entrance on the 340 allows for much more open/airy feeling to the aft birth which is essentially a tomb on the 330.

sounds like I'm shitting on the 330 which I sort of am...don't get me wrong, I love mine! but like any boat you have had for a while, you come up with things that you'd like to have different.

 

[Boatman777]

They need to make a walkaround with the 32ft hull.

 

[drbatts]

Glad to see Grady start adding more storage spaces/areas. Both of my expresses have had a lot of dead space area which could have been additional storage. One knock I have had on grady for years was lack of sufficient storage on their larger boats. I have to assume the generator is in the aft bilge. That must be really fun to access and service, looks harder to crawl in there then on my 305.

 

[SkunkBoat]

I don't know. The center helm was quite tight for a boat that size. To each his own, but I'd never go for a center helm in anything smaller than a 45'er.

I love the center helm on my 265. One of the reasons I bought it... along with tailgate/motors on transom
SMALLER boats benefit from center helm for driveability in bumpy seas. being on centerline is noticeably better.

and yes, They are building sand bar boats not fishing boats.

 

[Fishtales]

I love the center helm on my 265. One of the reasons I bought it... along with tailgate/motors on transom
SMALLER boats benefit from center helm for driveability in bumpy seas. being on centerline is noticeably better.

and yes, They are building sand bar boats not fishing boats.

Smaller boats I get it. All are tradeoffs. In a big boat, I think you need to have a design that isn't overly cramped in the helm. I'm sure it doesn't matter much in a 35' boat if center or starboard helm. The 33 is just too darn tight just like the 282 was IMHO.

 

[HMBJack]

The center helm is what made the Express boats "different". I personally love it.

Losing the center helm makes their boats like all the others. Oh well. To each their own...

 

[Fishtales]

Saw the new model at the show today. $900K show price. Overall a very nice boat. Cabin is a big step up and aft birth area could sleep 3 if needed pretty comfortably. Microwave hidden in a cabinet which gave a clean look. Plenty of room at the helm for the large electronics. I'd say the access panel design in the head for the backside access to the helm electronics needs a redesign. Looked like an afterthought and I'd be worried about water intrusion with the shower there. Fix that and you have a winner.

It and it's sister the DC were the largest boats. The DC was only $50K less which was a surprise. I'd take the express if I had to pick and I won the lottery.
Transom cap still the same.

 

[HMBJack]

Transom cap still the same. <<<< OMG Really?

I'm shocked with this. Do you think they are still making transoms as before?

Have they not learned from all the cases of wet and rotted transoms?

I find this very hard to believe...

 

[JJF]

"Saw the new model at the show today. $900K show price. Overall a very nice boat"

Yes, I agree it's a nice boat, but it is not a million-dollar boat (IMO).

I think GW needs to step up their game on their larger models given the current pricing. I am not bashing, but they need to modernize things. As a simple example, they should be using magnets instead of snaps for holding cushions in place. Edgewater, Jupiter, Southport and Regulator have a bit more attention to detail. Again, no bashing Grady, but they do seem to be stuck a few decades back.

As an aside, the list on a 306 Canyon is $400k+. It just seems crazy to me and it's not the usual things are too expensive rant.

 

[JJF]

They need to make a walkaround with the 32ft hull.

...and they need to do a coffin box 'lounger" option vs fwd seating on the 306/326/336/366 Canyons. They did it for a while on the 271 and it looked very functional.

 

[drbatts]

There are pros and cons to the center helm. It was a selling point for me with the express. When I'm working on the boat i just remove the chair for more maneuverability. I have a table for the helm area which i keep on when we are fishing locally as it gives a sort of center island. The table is also nice to put in when we take the boat away for a few days as it creates a sitting and eating or cocktail area.

 

[ToddB]

I personally love the center helm for fishability and sight lines when docking.

GW is clearly building boats to sell them to rich folks in warm climates (i.e. Florida).
I can't knock them for that. Smart marketing.

However, this boat is far less "fishy" than the 330. GW would be wise to offer a "341" or something that is the "Fisherman's" model. For example:
- Take away half of the cushions,
- Install an ice maker in the space of the starboard grill and cockpit fridge,
- Add a second livewell in the space of the large transom lift up compartment (could be fish storage).
- Add more storage for rods inside the cabin (over the vee berth) where they can locked away and out of sight.

With the same hull, they could do the above (and more) to be more suitable for the Fisherman enthusiast who is no longer taking the wife and kids out and pulling inner tubes behind the boat. Just sayin.

AGREED no doubt shift from fishing to pleasure boating. Certainly cannot fault Grady following demand. They sold over 50 boats at Ft L show including (3) 340s.

Boarded NEW 340 at the Factory back in Nov. Very disappointing cockpit room noticeably teared for pleasure boating. also, the helm area was tight IMO especially for a 34' boat.

If you're looking for serious fishing boat elsewhere Reg, Yellowfin and Pair Customs just down the road in Little Washington puts out a great product for the $$.

We continue to upgrade our '13 230 Fisherman. Beefer hardware higher freeboard & more fishing friendly than 236.

 

[ToddB]

AGREED no doubt shift from fishing to pleasure boating. Certainly cannot fault Grady following demand. They sold over 50 boats at Ft L show including (3) 340s.

Boarded NEW 340 at the Factory back in Nov. Very disappointing cockpit room noticeably teared for pleasure boating. also, the helm area was tight IMO especially for a 34' boat.

If you're looking for serious fishing boat elsewhere Reg, Yellowfin and Pair Customs just down the road in Little Washington puts out a great product for the $$.

We continue to upgrade our '13 230 Fisherman. Beefer hardware higher freeboard & more fishing friendly than 236.

 

[Fishtales]

once you get above 30' the GWs price seems to escalate dramatically. You have to look at other brands. There are a lot of options out there for various use cases. I love my GW buy if buying new, I'd probably be going in another direction.