That's a great boat! What do you have in it to go high 70's? I saw one on Lake Michigan with twin 525' and he claimed 70's to 80's but I can't believe that big heavy boat could go that fast with mild power twins. I have triples and the boats are about the same size.

I was going to try some throttle up's on my 343, but i knew i would be selling it. I had the best results with a set of 32" bravo 1's that were labbed and worked by mark wilson. saw 77-80 with a cote of Kiss cote on the bottom. I just traded it to lightning bay marine in st pete if anyone's looking for one.

Cobalt 343
 

Do you still have this boat for sale? Call me 812.26.0651 Dale

Nope, it's out in Cali now.

343 Cobalt
 

Still have 343 Cobalt? call 812.246.0651

I have one I am thinking about selling. Low hours, twin 525's also. Located in Ft. Lauderdale.

Email me [email protected] if interested. I bought it new, and 99% of the runtime is fresh water in northern Michigan.

Tom

there are 3 for sale in mass all w/496 power http://www.boattrader.com/dealers/Ea...8/Make-COBALT/

How much of a beast are 343's to tow? I know they are 35' long and 9' 8" wide but in addition they have a 24.5 degree hull and a deep draft. Is it tough to find good ramps to launch?

Towing should not be too big of a problem, I'd suggest at least a 1-ton and possibly a dually. Word of caution, most states have a "legal" towing with of 8'6". You may need permits to trailer it.

Depending on where you want to put in, most commercial-level ramps should suffice.

Thanks Smokes, yes I'm up to speed on trailering laws. In Michigan where I live you can haul wide if your hauling non commecial, or for yourself. Most of the time I'd be in Lake Erie or Lake St Clair but I want to do some road trips with the kids.

Having had Cobalts they are great boats but I'm looking for someting with a cuddy to overnight with the kids yet be able to put the hammer down. The 343 is bigger than I was considering but the prices are sure coming down makiing it a more attractive option.

Reading through this string, lots of guys have had and sold the 343. Are there particular things you guys didn't like about the boat to make you flip them?

The 343 is a great boat, I wouldn't hesitate to highly recommend it!

I just purchased a 2004 343 with 496HO's and could not be happier. We went out for a test run this week with two people on board and 100gal of fuel. Weather was perfect for getting the most out of the boat. Air temp was 72and water was 63 degrees with 2-3 ft choppy inconsistant waves. I had done some research and expected the boat to run 62mph, but was pleasently suprised when the boat hit 67.3 on GPS in the rough water. I was able to run the boat in flat water I found on the north side of the bridge and could only manage 64mph. I guess the chop helped lift the big cobalt and get air under the hull.

I can't wait for summer:drink:

Boy, this is an old thread resurfacing. The 343 I had experience with, had 525's with XR drives, labbed 32 Bravo 1's by BBlades.If my memory serves well, had the boat up to 75 mph on GPS with half fuel and four guys on board.I ran the boat in 1' chop at Vancouver's English Bay [ salt water] and the boat felt solid.Here're some shots I've saved.I think this boat is for sale again in the Toronto area.

http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/Cobalt%20343%202
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/IMG_1350.JPG
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/IMG_1345.JPG

Sound check with silent choice on/off
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I73CGpP4Zao

I'd trade my Skater for one if I could find a dealer willing to take a performance boat in on trade.

You gonna build one with Ilmors?:D Call East Coast Flight Craft in MA, they may take the Skater in on trade.

Funny you should ask, lookie what I found!!

Thanks for the tip!

Cool!

Did Teague put those in there?

Yes my understanding is the boat was ordered as a 496 pkg then sent to Teague for the Eng / Drive upgrade. What do you know about the boat?

I'm pretty interested in it, it's loaded, just not a big fan of the tower.

i heard it runs good, thats about it, if you call teague i'm sure he could give you some details.

I liked the tower on mine, makes it nice to get out of the sun.

Contacted Nick & Ian at ILMOR late Fri, waiting to hear back.

Nice Cobalt... I bet it would get in the low 80's easy

Thats what I've heard, Teague performed the upfit, says the boat runs strong & handles great.

Just bought a Cobalt 343 and love it.... It gets everyone's head turning on the lake. Most people wonder what it is and seem suprised when they find out it is a Cobalt.

I started to update the boat...changing lights to LED's and replacing speakers with JL Audio. Other than that the boat needs nothing.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...Dec2011467.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...4/Boat2012.jpg

Nice looking ride, looks great on the Myco.

BTW- Diesel in NC is $4.16/gal 93oct $4.13

Thanks Michael...we are pushing $4.00 now. Last I checked diesel was $3.93 in dallas and 93oct was $4.03

Hey NASCAT,

That Cobalt really came out cool, and it was surprisingly quick for its size. It would be an ideal boat to spend the whole day on. I remember thinking of adding a giant flatscreen under the hard bimini with some satellite TV and it would be party time!

As a performance enthusiast, I would definitely consider buying it as an alternative to your everyday bland "cruiser"

John Teague

I have one of these, and it's for sale. Basically brand new.

PM if interested.

Tom

I just bought this boat.

Looked for one after reading this thread and everything that has been stated here is accurate.
Great looking boats.

My next door neighbour wants one also. He would have bought this one if I didnt take it.

Sold my NT cat and got this for my family and friends that wanted more comfort than speed.

Thanks to all the posters on here for the positive comments about a very nice boat.

At the dock

Congrats! Funny how we performance guys are willing to make the switch but not looking to give up total performance. You got you a souped up cuddy cabin, thats roomy & sea worthy! Nice!

700s would be nice !!!

Congrats, looks great!

Thank you

If I have anything negative to say about it, it's the seating height while operating the boat.
You feel like a 12 year old driving an 81 Sedan Deville, so I use it with the bolster seat position.

The feeling of driving a bus evaporates at speed and the overall comfort and performance is surprising when you push it a bit.

Well built boat for sure, and friends will enjoy it more than my cats.

Does anyone know what year this model was discontinued ?

I thought it was 2007

Looking great, pal!

And at least you don't have to leave this one out there on a mooring buoy! :lolhit:

Hey Guys,
I have an 04 model 343, love the boat, it is all it is cracked up to be have been in LOTO after the Shootout coming out of the cove in some BIG chop and the boat performs great with 5 guys in it. HOWEVER, it is the 496HO/Bravo 1 package and I continually get high (like 250ish) oil temps after over 4k rpm for 10 or more minutes. I have: fresh impellers, cleaned the oil coolers, cleaned the heat exchangers, run full synthetic, have talked to Ray at Raylar, have been in the engine compartment at 4500rpm with a temperature gun checking every hose coming in and out of everything, gauges are reading accurately.......well I've done everything everyone has suggested and still get climbing temperatures. Has anyone had any issue like this? Both engines do exactly the same thing. I love the boat, hate the issues, ready to trade power or trade the boat. Any ideas??
Thanks

Catastrophe, just caught up with this thread and congrats on the purchase. It's a great boat and under rated by those who don't know. It handles rough water great. I tried under the Lions Gate with tide moving out with northerly blowing in. Under that bridge, you can experience 10 footers and it's the greatest test area ,haha. The only boats that can go 60+ mph there when it 's that rough were, 42 Outerlimits and my buddy's 47' Pantera .

Here's what your boat sounds like with mufflers switched on/off http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I73CGpP4Zao

You kept that boat in great shape
Kudos to you

I'm enjoying it immensely