Your exprience opinion wanted. Express 330

[zzzingpow]

I've been hunting for months for a vessel. Had my mind set on a BW Conquest (paid for a few surveys, motors- ugh)when I saw a GradyWhite 330 express while kayaking the harbor.
That pretty much settled it. Background: 35+ years on the water in a 24ft.Penta powered 87formula fishing machine.
A 23'9 Mako center console single johnson then a 40' ChrisCraft with Cummins. All sold. Boatless, ugh.
So the Grady White 330 express, I've got 2 in mind both on the other coast.
1)2012 with f300's, 350 hours. "Pristine" condition. Full windshield style.
Comes with a trailer; big plus for me. I'm a mile from launch, no worries.
2)2013 with F350's, 370hrs. Already had 1 flywheel change 63hrs ago. "Clean" too.
Both$220,000 range.
Which would you recommend.
F300's or F350's given the known issues.
Devils advocate: locally a 2006 BW 305 with 300merc's 400 hours @ $165000.
Any advice please.

 

[family affair]

Welcome to the site!
#1.

 

[zzzingpow]

Welcome to the site!
#1.

Thank You.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I can't give any advice or opinions on the boats themselves, other than in regards to pricing. I think I'd get a boat like the one listed below that's a couple years older and save $50k. Looks like a recent repower in 2019 with only 268 hours on the F300's, new generator in 2020, new electronics, etc.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2007-grady-white-330-express-9409858/

 

[drbatts]

I can't give any advice or opinions on the boats themselves, other than in regards to pricing. I think I'd get a boat like the one listed below that's a couple years older and save $50k. Looks like a recent repower in 2019 with only 268 hours on the F300's, new generator in 2020, new electronics, etc.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2007-grady-white-330-express-9409858/

Just keep in mind, the 330 hull was updated in 2008.

 

[seasick]

If you haven't been on a 330 Express, you should. You may or may not like the layout of the helm.

Personally, I would not get involved in 350s of that vintage.

 

[drbatts]

Without seeing either boat, I would be probably leaning towards the one with the 300's vs. 350's Based on engines. Also the 330 is a big beast to trailer.

 

[seasick]

I can't verify all the issues mentioned here but others may have first hand experience

6 Most Common Problems with Yamaha 350 Outboard

In the 350HP category, the F350 is a respected name in the industry. People love it for its strong build quality, better design, immense power, and reliable

www.boatingsports.org

 

[zzzingpow]

I can't verify all the issues mentioned here but others may have first hand experience

6 Most Common Problems with Yamaha 350 Outboard

In the 350HP category, the F350 is a respected name in the industry. People love it for its strong build quality, better design, immense power, and reliable

www.boatingsports.org

Thank you for the link to review

 

[zzzingpow]

Just keep in mind, the 330 hull was updated in 2008.

Thank You. I am aware the delamination issues and hull upgrades post 2007.
So the 200k price attracts me because it comes with a very good trailer which I will need. That in itself is a costly endeavor 16-20k. Plus 6-10g-15g's to get it delivered.
I see minimum 30g's add on then to the 2007 GW plus obvious coaming, cushion replacement.
Believe me Ive looked at every GW on the market for the last 2 months.
The earlier 6 months I was hunting the BWconquest.
It's not a hard decision vessel/ engine wise, just need to ensure it's a sound investment @ 200k. Take away the trailer it's 180ish which is what I see most this size, earlier years asking price.
Well, I appreciate the advice. We'll see what the recent hurricanes and economy does to the prices.

 

[zzzingpow]

If you haven't been on a 330 Express, you should. You may or may not like the layout of the helm.

Personally, I would not get involved in 350s of that vintage.

I've been to a few marinas locally and found only 1 express, 1canyon both covered. Most brokers have huge backlogs now but no 330Gradys around to board in OC. Ca. area. I'm not done hunting though....thank you for the advice.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

There's one up here in the Seattle area for sale from a dealership, though they aren't a GW dealership. It also doesn't appear to come with a trailer.

GRADY-WHITE 330 EXPRESS HARDTOP - boats - by dealer - marine sale - craigslist

GRADY-WHITE 330 EXPRESS HARDTOP IMPECCABLE - BETTER THAN NEW! Total Pride of Ownership Shows Throughout Entire Vessel and Systems! The cleanest 330 Express on the market, come see this Grady-White...

seattle.craigslist.org

 

[zzzingpow]

There's one up here in the Seattle area for sale from a dealership, though they aren't a GW dealership. It also doesn't appear to come with a trailer.

GRADY-WHITE 330 EXPRESS HARDTOP - boats - by dealer - marine sale - craigslist

GRADY-WHITE 330 EXPRESS HARDTOP IMPECCABLE - BETTER THAN NEW! Total Pride of Ownership Shows Throughout Entire Vessel and Systems! The cleanest 330 Express on the market, come see this Grady-White...

seattle.craigslist.org

Very nice however $267,000.00 is more than I want to invest.
Thank You I appreciate the refferal

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

I've been to a few marinas locally and found only 1 express, 1canyon both covered

I bought a 306 Canyon in June and was on two 330 Express to buy before.
They are substantial different boats by design,
the Express has a nice cabin and access to bow area is tight what limits usable space and can make docking more complicated
the Canyon as any CC has no cabin and is more fishing orientated but has less comfort for boating and lounging
I mostly boat alone so i need a boat i can handle under any circumstances alone, and then a CC comes handy.
For family use with small child's to have a nap in the cabin the express is great, also for romantic weekend on the water, in hot climate you will need the generator running for A/C inside the cabin to not suffocate.
Cabin boats have much more stuff what can break than CC's, consider that also. Even if money is not a issue, you will need a very capable and motivated shipyard to fix all the stuff what breaks every now and then, or you do it by your self what i prefer, but it can be fun or a pita.
You should first decide if you need the cabin or not, a cabin without use ends mostly as warehouse what makes it just a waste of space.

I would generally stay away of the F350, the last C series seems to solved most of the problems except the flywheel issue what would be manageable. The F300 is a good and proofed engine but can have it's issues as well, but generally much less than the F350.
350 hours for a 2012 model outboard is very low (30 hours/year) and hours are the lesser problem than age and low use.
Check if aluminum structores are silver anodized and not painted or powder coated, painted/coated aluminum will become troublesome sooner or later.

Chris

 

[Fishermanbb]

#1 without question so long as the rest of the boat passes a survey. I wouldn’t worry about the updated hull. Plenty of the older 330’s still around and going strong. In fact, my old 330 (2003) is still running strong with the original engines and looks great. The guy who bought in from me in 2006 still has it. Just get a survey to rule out and major issues and don’t look back. I wouldn’t touch 350’s unless they were 2016 (series C) or later.

 

[JJF]

I'd low ball the one with the F350s and then intend on repowering. If the low ball offer isn't accepted, then I would go with the F300s.

Keep in mind that despite the low hours on both, they are still 10 year old motors.

FWIW....I just had a friend lose two cylinders on a 2017 F300 with only a few hundred hours. He ended up taking my advice and replacing both motors, while the good motor still had a good wholesale value. (two new F300s and new controls was about $40k net of trade-ins)

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I wouldn’t worry about the updated hull. Plenty of the older 330’s still around and going strong.

That would be my thought process on the matter as well

 

[family affair]

The boat with the full glass helm is a game changer. Icing on the cake are the f300's, low hours, trailer and pristine condition.
Unless you are price sensitive, I wouldn't even consider anything else.

 

[BRO-CAL]

I've been to a few marinas locally and found only 1 express, 1canyon both covered. Most brokers have huge backlogs now but no 330Gradys around to board in OC. Ca. area. I'm not done hunting though....thank you for the advice.

Schock boats in Huntington Beach just got a brand new Express 330 in this week. Call them up to schedule a showing so you can get a feel for the boat. You may see me there this Saturday ;-) They also have a new Marlin 300 on the lot there too. Good luck with your search!

 

[Fishtales]

#1. F350s not reliable in my book.