Grady-White has never subscribed to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage. Why would you wait for something to break before making changes that could improve the product? The latest case in point is the Express 340, which the builder introduced at the 2025 Ft. Lauderdale boat show.
The Grady-White Express 340 replaces the Express 330, which debuted in 2001 as the first outboard-powered express style cabin boat. Grady-White has continually integrated input from its owners in the design process, because after all, the owners spend the most time on the boats. Grady-White built more than 1,200 of these popular vessels, but in the updated Express 340, the venerable builder has expanded the cabin space, added copious amounts of storage throughout, incorporated more luxury design features and moved the helm to starboard to create a spacious bridgedeck and better flow from the forward V berth all the way to the transom. One thing that remains constant, however, is the boat’s beautiful lines with a broken sheer to give it a classic look that stands out from the pack.
When you step aboard the Express 340, the cockpit feels much larger than its predecessor. Grady-White installed hull doors on both sides of the Express 340, making it easy to board the boat no matter how you’re tied up. One of the cockpit standouts for me was the portside mezzanine seat. This is much more than just a seat. It has a fold-down bolster so it can act as a leaning post to watch the lines. There are three drawers below the seat, one of which is a slide-out step that helps you hop up onto the seat, and once seated makes a great footrest. The other drawers can be used for tackle. The mezzanine backrest folds down to create a work station with a Dekton counter and reveals a smart, lit storage spot for wine bottles or anything else you need to keep secure. To starboard is an outdoor galley/rigging area that comes standard with a sink and Dekton counter or can be optioned with an electric grill and refrigerator.
Because the 340 has the two side doors, you don’t need a transom door and that frees up a ton of space to create a fishing transom with a bolster running the full length from quarter to quarter, to give the boat a real sport-fish feel. That transom houses a 32-gallon livewell, a 166-quart fish box that can be refrigerated, and another storage compartment with an auxiliary sink. There’s also a pull-out cockpit shower and a fold-down transom seat that stows out of the way when fishing.
“Owners really love the versatility of the side doors. Whether boarding from a floating dock or the dive ladder or gaffing a fish and pulling it through, you can now do that on either side of the boat,” said Grady-White Senior Product Designer Christian Carraway as he gave me a tour of the Express 340. “We also added a second fuel fill so when you’re refueling the boat you can dock the boat on whichever side is most convenient, and you have a door and the fuel fill.” The Express 340 has a single 340-gallon fuel tank which eliminates the need for a fuel selector valve.
The swimstep has plenty of room to access the motors, of which there are two Yamaha power packages available—triple 350s or twin 450s. With the 350s owners can expect a 26-knot cruise burning 27 gph and a top end just shy of 50 knots. The 450s offer a similar cruise and top end of 45.6 knots.
One of the Express 340’s biggest departures from the 330 is the raised starboard helm. By moving the helm from centerline to starboard, Grady-White was able to create more usable space on the bridgedeck and incorporate a centerline entrance to the cabin. The operator still has unimpeded sightlines of the bow and transom and the helm has become a signature design focus with teak accents and a black dash that can hold two 19-inch MFDs. It’s sleek and functional. The elevated helm with contoured captain’s chair is situated so the captain’s right hand comfortably reaches the throttles and the left hand can access all of the switching. The portside dinette also has great sightlines and the adjustable table drops down to create a double lounge with a filler cushion. And don’t worry about sweating, this is a fully air-conditioned space.
The hardtop offers access lighting to give the space a classy look without blinding you when boating at night. Grady-White integrated life-jacket storage into the hardtop as well as four rod holders that can accommodate 7-foot rods. You can really let the air flow through this space with a windshield vent and a hatch above. The aft end of the hardtop offers more rod storage and hand holds right where you need them.
The cabin door slides open and out of the way for a clear entry. Natural light floods the cabin space via a large skylight and oversized hatch. With more width and headroom than its predecessor, the Express 340 cabin is larger and you immediately sense it. The V-berth comfortably seats five with custom backrests and converts to a double berth. Grady chose oak finishes on the cabinetry and a seagrass-like accent material to give the cabin a modern, high-end feel.
The galley is well appointed with a cooktop, sink, and fridge. The aft berth underneath the helm is much more open thanks to the floating stairs and a wide entry area. Aft berths can sometimes feel like a claustrophobic crawlspace but that’s not the case here. The open entry makes it a comfortable, well-lit berth for two or a great spot to squeeze in a nap.
A skylight brightens up the head which features an oak fold-down shower seat and designated shower faucet rather than a pull-out sink fixture, VacuFlush toilet, and vanity mirror that has integrated storage. Speaking of storage, there is a built-in compartment under the cabin floor, cabinets around the dinette and under the cushions.
The Express 340 utilizes Grady-White’s proven SeaV² hull shape to give the boat a soft, stable, dry ride. This boat is an ideal option for families looking to spend a weekend aboard playing and cruising or taking the crew out to the rip for some trolling and a chance to fill that giant fish box. Once again, Grady-White has shown that you can always make a very good boat even better.
Grady-White Express 340 Specifications:
LOA: 33’6”
Beam: 11’7”
Draft: 2’3”
Displ.: 17,485 lb.
Fuel: 340 gal.
Power: 2/450-hp Yamaha XTO, 3/350-hp Yamaha
This article originally appeared in the March 2026 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.
