Grady 330 Express vs 300 Marlin

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PalmettoMarineService

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I am in the market for either a 330 Express or 300 Marlin. I am not extremely familiar with the Grady boats and would appreciate any insight as what to look for. I have heard that there are some issues with hullside coring on the 330 prior to 2010. Is this true? Are there any years in the Marlin series to look out for? Owners that can offer insight please let me know your thoughts or if you know of one for sale please pass it along.
 
I've been an owner of a 2003 Express 330 for the last 15 years and owned a Marlin 30 for over 5 years before the 330. I've experienced many GW hulls, and the Marlin and 330, in my opinion, are among the most seaworthy and versatile. The Marlin walkaround feature was a dream for fishing, but the trade-off was pinched-in cabin space. The Marlin helm area also was not that spacious, and some angler guests had to sit outside in the aft-deck. All of those seating/comfort issues were solved with the 330. Also, my small family (4 adults/two grandkids) can enjoy So-Cal weekends at local islands. Of course, the 330 does not have the fishing walk around security of the Marlin.

I did not have any problem with moisture issues on either boat, but I was very anal about inspecting/changing the transom cap (bang plate) and bronze thru-hull drain tubes - arguably the biggest problems leading to transom rot. Some 330 owners have suggested that the rear quarter vent plates may be a source of water-intrusion, but mine seem OK (very lucky to live in relatively calm So-Cal waters).

Of course, any boat with Yamaha 225 4-strokes is likely to be plagued by early corrosion failure. I re-powered my 330 (225's lasted 1,400 hours) a few years ago with Yamaha 250's.

Good luck on your search!
 
Loubeer,

Thank you for the input. I agree with the fact the accommodations on the 330 are more than the 300. However as far as traveling companions it will probably be just my wife and me. We are on the East Coast (South Carolina) so we can do weekends to Charleston or Wilmington easily. I also like the center helm on the 330. However I agree that the WA ability of the 300 provides a “Better” fishing platform based on your style of fishing. I will be trolling predominantly but I do love to bottom fish. With the bow rail extending as far aft as it does on the 330 do you feel unsecured walking to the bow? How does your 330 perform with the 250’s? I would love to find one that has been repowered with 300’s or find one ready for repower. I would also like to be able to put either on a trailer for service and storms. Do you trailer yours? Any more input is appreciated.
 
I admittedly don't have any experience with the boats you mentioned... that being said, a quick search on Boat Trader shows several 330 Express's that have been repowered either recently or over the last 10+ years with 300's on them, ranging from around $85k on up to over $180k+. I'd say it just depends on if you're wanting a boat that's been repowered already, if so how old do you want the outboards to be and what's the max hours you'd like on the outboards? Are are you really wanting to find one that needs a repower? As mentioned, there's a 2006 in Florida with an older repower of Yamaha F300's on it with around 1,400 hours for $85k. There's another 2006 that's also in Florida that has twin Mercury 350's on it with 550 hours and that also comes with a trailer for $155k. Or a third one in Florida that's a 2001 with brand new Yamaha F300's on her, 75 hours on the motors and being listed at $186k. There are several others up and down the east coast, as well as even a couple in California or on the west coast. I the biggest questions would be what your budget is, how far are you willing to travel, I imagine you're wanting a boat with a trailer as you mentioned above? and do you have any preference on motors/age of hulls, etc? If you're looking to a repower that's been done fairly recently, along with a boat that comes with a trailer and one that's fairly priced... I'd think the 2006 in Florida with the twin Mercury 350's on it and the trailer for $155k might be your best option, at least from the very short 5 minute search that I did. No, I don't have any affiliation with any of the below linked boats, just trying to help out a fellow forum member. Good luck with your search.



 
My "security" may be greatly influenced by my +75 age :cool:. However, I have no problem maneuvering around the boat (plenty of rails to hold on to) for access to the anchor/windlass and other boat operation functions. I get nervous when casting or handling "hot" fish. My younger angler friends and my 21-year-old grandson have no problems. So, age matters.

How much power/speed is enough on a boat is a longstanding source of lively discussion here and on other forums. I get on plane quickly, can cruise all day between 30 to 35 mph and average between 1.0 to 1.2 mpg, depending on weight and sea conditions. Probably can top out at 42 mph but rarely want or need to.

I'm parked in a year-around So-Cal slip - no trailer.
 
PalmettoMarineService said:
Loubeer,

Thank you for the input. I agree with the fact the accommodations on the 330 are more than the 300. However as far as traveling companions it will probably be just my wife and me. We are on the East Coast (South Carolina) so we can do weekends to Charleston or Wilmington easily. I also like the center helm on the 330. However I agree that the WA ability of the 300 provides a “Better” fishing platform based on your style of fishing. I will be trolling predominantly but I do love to bottom fish. With the bow rail extending as far aft as it does on the 330 do you feel unsecured walking to the bow? How does your 330 perform with the 250’s? I would love to find one that has been repowered with 300’s or find one ready for repower. I would also like to be able to put either on a trailer for service and storms. Do you trailer yours? Any more input is appreciated.
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The walk allows rapid and safe access to the bow which in my opinion a big factor. You give up room, but if you need to get to the windlass or assist in docking the WA offers it.
The 30'er will be fine for two. Walking around a boat on the hard or at a show is not representative of doing the same on the sea. Bigger is always better in my book, but in this case, there are a few features that you need to match to your use case that matter.
 
A lot depends on what years of boats your looking at. Both models have had long runs with many changes during those production runs. Earlier model 330's did have moisture problems on the sides and earlier models of both had wooden transoms which could be a problem. I currently have a 305 but looked at many 300's and 330's when I was shopping for my boat. I would have gone the 330 route, but it would have been too long for my dock. When these models are compared the walkaround is always brought up as a factor. Personally I think the walkaround is a bit overrated. I can get to the bow easily on my 305 and the 330 has even more room on the sides. I have never needed someone on the bow for docking as we back into slips or parallel in. If your casting from the bow I have a big flat surface to stand on. With express helm configuration you can get more crew members comfortably under the hard top and out of the elements vs. the walkaround(marlin) layout.
 
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Both great boats with differences already described. Depending on how old, the actual build of that particular boat, can increase potential moisture issues. At the very least, check the transom and the area near the near diesel generator exhaust. Those has been the hot spots for potential moisture. But it's not every boat.
 
Both choices have their pros and cons. And if you choose one, you will learn to like it very much.

We've owned our 2006 330 for 15 years and love it immensely. I have a friend who has a Marlin and when I stand on it and check it out, it seems "small" compared to the bad ass 330. I guess you can say the same when comparing any two Gradys of different sizes.

I had F250's and they served me well (4,400 hours) but I re-powered with F300's a couple years ago and these seem like a perfect engine set-up for the heavy 330. I operate in the ocean 100% of the time so I have no need for more horsepower. I'm not on a lake so I can only go as fast as the swell let's me.

Like another Owner above, I have been quite anal about monitoring my transom bang cap area. With maintenance (and awareness) you'll likely never have a problem with your transom. Ignore it, and you're asking for trouble. I also had about a 2-3 foot square area of Balsa Rot in the starboard stern quarter. This was sourced from a leaking vent (about 12") in the stern corner right below the rub rail. I wish I noticed it sooner but I had the area fixed and now it's solid as a rock. The port side had no leak at the vent area.

Neither boat is perfect but in comparison to other brands, I think you'll find Gradys to be pretty darn good.
 
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Cock pit on the 330 and the Marlin are close in size/space. As someone mentioned, seating under cover is much better on the 330 however it's tight getting around that center helm and bench seats. Cabin is more spacious in the 330 although neither is to the degree of an inboard powered express IE 32 Carolina Classic or Cabo. Both decent all-around sea boats for their respective size with the 330 being better as compared to the Marlin. The larger heavier hull, the 330 performs fairly well (pushes easy with the 300 Yamaha's) moving it at basically the same speed and rpm's as the Marlin with that same power. I could have gone either way with my choice but opted for the Marlin since it's mostly just 2 of us, occasionally 3 or 4 structure fishing. If I had to do it over again, I would opt for the 330 for the bigger ride.

Note: I have the two-helm chair configuration which gives up an extra seating spot under cover as compared to the bench seat. I found the bench seat to be cumbersome thus opted for a second helm chair with better visibility (Two sets of eyes looking ahead) and more room to maneuver thru the helm and down below.

Both good boats,
 
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Hi,

I can't help with the compare/contrast of the models, but if there is one in my area that you need to have local eyes see, I am happy to give it a ponce over.
 
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