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Old 05-22-2023 | 04:59 PM
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Hey Stich- if you do the tower I would be Very much interested in one also. I have someone working on a Bimini but last time they did anything for me it was 2 + years and FWIW i be 59 this summer.
I would really like a tower but nobody that i have found is capable. I even called Cobalt and got the manufacture of the tower originally and they said NO.

As for your boat- Do you spin In or Our w props? I just noticed mine spin In and i think there is too much transom lift.
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Old 05-23-2023 | 01:18 PM
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The OEM tower was stainless and nobody will go down that road that I've talked to.

Right now I'm trying to get the supplier for Ski-Nautique to work with me. They've agreed to let me bring the boat to their facility and see if an existing tower they build can be customized to fit. The width is very similar but the way the front and rear mounts work is considerably different.

Otherwise, I've reached out to sources in SFL that build towers for OEM's and they will be my backup plan.

I'm going for the brushed anodized aluminum look but the SFL guys only want to do white powder coat.

I'm having the cockpit and swim platforms done with EVA foam and when I get the boat back I'll verify which way the props spin.
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Old 05-24-2023 | 06:40 AM
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Quinlan, I stopped by the boat yesterday and the RH prop is on the Starboard side so they spin outward.

The boat's GPS Speedo said 69 MPH on a 60 degree day and google says the lake elevation is 360'. It was full of fuel with two people, and minimal gear on board. Bravo 1 26P props. I don't know if they have had any specific work done to them. They are high polished so maybe.
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Old 05-30-2023 | 08:14 AM
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Question for the owners: Does the cockpit drain at the rear by the steps work better when the boat is in the water than on the level trailer?

Mine doesn't drain faster than a dribble out the side port.

I ran a drain snake through it and assisted with a shop vac from the hull side fitting so I know the line is clear but still just a dribble when the boat is level.
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Old 05-30-2023 | 08:29 AM
  #245  
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Originally Posted by Stitch King
The OEM tower was stainless and nobody will go down that road that I've talked to.

Right now I'm trying to get the supplier for Ski-Nautique to work with me. They've agreed to let me bring the boat to their facility and see if an existing tower they build can be customized to fit. The width is very similar but the way the front and rear mounts work is considerably different.

Otherwise, I've reached out to sources in SFL that build towers for OEM's and they will be my backup plan.

I'm going for the brushed anodized aluminum look but the SFL guys only want to do white powder coat.

I'm having the cockpit and swim platforms done with EVA foam and when I get the boat back I'll verify which way the props spin.
These guys built a tower for my Glacier Bay cat in 2000. They did a really nice job.

https://www.atlantictowers.com/custom-towers.php
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Old 05-31-2023 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Stitch King
Question for the owners: Does the cockpit drain at the rear by the steps work better when the boat is in the water than on the level trailer?

Mine doesn't drain faster than a dribble out the side port.

I ran a drain snake through it and assisted with a shop vac from the hull side fitting so I know the line is clear but still just a dribble when the boat is level.

I routinely get water pooling near the midship steps of the cockpit. I've dissassembled the aft cockpit drain several times. IMO, its a design flaw, the right angle fittign they used is not flush in the sump/drain area. They do drain better while sitting in the water than the trailer. But even on my hoist i had pooling with the mooring cover. Speed top installed.
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Old 06-01-2023 | 04:29 AM
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That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the reply!
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Old 06-02-2023 | 06:05 AM
  #248  
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Default Hull Thickness

Since this thread seems to be where the most info is on this model I'm adding another data point.

I just finished installing a new thru hull depth sounder (in the compartment below the helm seat) and had to make the hole larger using a dual holesaw. I measured the section that was removed with calipers and it's exactly 3/4" thick.
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Old 06-02-2023 | 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Stitch King
Since this thread seems to be where the most info is on this model I'm adding another data point.

I just finished installing a new thru hull depth sounder (in the compartment below the helm seat) and had to make the hole larger using a dual holesaw. I measured the section that was removed with calipers and it's exactly 3/4" thick.

If anyone has any questions about how the 343 cobalt is built let me know. I am about half way thru converting the boat from inboards to outboards and from a closed deck to open bow. I have cut or removed every panel in the boat. I can say they are built very well.
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Old 06-02-2023 | 08:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Maritime_Eng
If anyone has any questions about how the 343 cobalt is built let me know. I am about half way thru converting the boat from inboards to outboards and from a closed deck to open bow. I have cut or removed every panel in the boat. I can say they are built very well.
We gotta see pictures of this!!!
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