Boat Test: 2026 Grady-White Express 340
The Express 340 tracks as if on rails, and it delivers a soft ride in head seas.
Courtesy Grady-White Boats
Overview
The Express 330 spent more than two decades as Grady-White’s most popular model, so when the company announced a complete retooling for the 2026 model year, expectations ran high. The Express 340 doesn’t just meet those expectations—it exceeds them, blending serious fishability with cruising comfort and a refined aesthetic that elevates the entire package.
At the heart of this vessel, Grady-White’s legendary SeaV² variable deadrise V-hull features a deadrise progressively and aggressively sharpening from 20 degrees at the transom to around 30 degrees amidships. It tracks as if on rails, and it delivers a soft ride in head seas, and maintains exceptional stability when trolling, bottom fishing, or at anchor.
The cockpit maximizes fishability through intelligent design.
Courtesy Grady-White Boats
Engines
With triple Yamaha 350 outboards, the Express 340 achieved a top speed of 56.9 mph at 5,950 rpm and an impressive range exceeding 310 miles with a 10-percent reserve.
The luxurious cabin, with a galley and head, sleeps four comfortably.
Courtesy Grady-White Boats
Interior and Accessories
There is space for dual 19-inch Garmin displays with integrated engine functions and a Yamaha gauge to starboard nested over the tilt-and-lock steering wheel and an easy-to-reach array of flush-mounted switches. Circuit breakers above each switch are both a convenience and a nod to safety, allowing resetting without leaving the helm. It’s one of many great improvements that elevates a Grady above the competition.
The Helm Master EX Full Maneuverability joystick system ties into the autopilot, enabling Stay Point station keeping, Fish Point for maintaining position over structure, and Drift Point for controlled drifting—all without constant helm management. When waiting for a position at the fuel dock, the station-keeping feature is invaluable, and dock maneuvering even for a novice is intuitive.
Grady-White completely redesigned the hardtop superstructure, eliminating much of the traditional pipework for cleaner lines, increased rigidity and improved visibility. For fresh air on deck, tap a button to open a center vent and open the sunroof. The optional 18,000 Btu air conditioning is cooler still. The electrically adjustable helm seat swivels 90 degrees for conversation when anchored, and full-enclosure curtains stow conveniently aboard.
The cockpit maximizes fishability through intelligent design. Removing the transom door in favor of port and starboard boarding gunwale doors offers ample boarding access, along with a handy place to drag the catch aboard. Dual doors also leave the transom open for a 166-quart aft fish box with optional digital refrigeration. An 87-quart insulated fish box is plumbed standard with fresh water and drains overboard. The transom also boasts a 30-gallon livewell with full-column distribution that keeps baits frisky. Rod holders abound: four in the cockpit, horizontal hangers in the hardtop for prized tuna sticks, and additional side mounts on the hardtop structure.
Access to the aft berth has been dramatically improved.
Courtesy Grady-White Boats
The convertible mezzanine seating exemplifies thoughtful engineering. Flip down the backrest on the port side to reveal a Dekton prep surface ideal for rigging baits or preparing food for the optional grill to starboard. The foldaway transom bench seats three comfortably yet disappears when serious fishing begins.
Below deck, the galley features a Dekton countertop, stainless-steel sink, glass-top stove, stainless-steel refrigerator, and microwave. Oak veneer cabinetry is complemented by solid oak-fluted doors. Multiple textures of vinyl, sea-grass panels and recessed lighting create visual interest throughout. The electrically adjustable table and forward berth cushion rises for dining or drops flush with the wraparound seating to complete a double berth.
Access to the aft berth has been dramatically improved—no more crawling on hands and knees. The raised portside passage allows easy entry to the double berth with a memory-foam topper. The redesigned head compartment is equally inviting and features a freshwater sink with Dekton countertop, VacuFlush marine head, and a separate Italian-style shower head adjustable over the commode, complete with a fold-down teak bench for seated showering.
Read Next: Grady-White Freedom 345
The head compartment features a freshwater sink with Dekton countertop, VacuFlush marine head, and a separate Italian-style shower head adjustable over the commode, complete with a fold-down teak bench for seated showering.
Courtesy Grady-White Boats
One of Grady’s arch rivals, Boston Whaler, builds a 325 and a 365, straddling the Grady’s popular 34-foot hull. The Conquest 365 is reported to sell for a base price of just under a million dollars and offers a hardtop supported by an integrated tempered glass and composite frame support. It’s slightly larger, but the windlass with remote switches and a generator (standard on the Grady) are options on the Whaler.
In Grady’s world, mechanical accessibility receives equal attention. The Express 340 proves that a boat can be hard-core fishable while pampering its crew with cruising amenities—all wrapped in styling that turns heads at every marina.
How We Tested- Engines: Triple Yamaha 350
- Drive/Props: Outboard/Saltwater Series 2 15″ x 20″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 200 gal. Water on Board: 45 gal. Crew Weight: 225 lb.
- New ingenious engineering places a sliding cabin door centered at the helm for improved flow.
- The luxurious cabin, with a galley and head, sleeps four comfortably with features that blend style and functional engineering.
- Battery access could be more convenient for future service.
- Grady’s foamed-in hulls add safety but eliminate the larger in-floor fish boxes found on other sportfishing vessels.
Grady-White Express 340 Certified Test Results
Boating Magazine
Contact Grady-White
Grady-White Boats – Greenville, North Carolina; 252-752-2111; gradywhite.com
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