looking at the 343 as I love the Cobalt build quality
what gremlin type issues are you having with your 496s
how are the oil temps on hot days running hard.
thanks for the info
Teddy

I had an 04 343 with 496s and had oil temps in the 280-300 range routinely. I plumbed an extra 3"x16" oil cooler and attached it on the stringers. Never had another issue with oil temps. I am currently having an issue with my starboard engine oil temp. These are 06 525s. Both engines heat up normally, they go to about 220 then the port engine returns to 190, the starboard goes to 260 and I lower the rpms or stop. We have tried all the usual fixes, back washed the oil cooler, changed the coolers from one engine to the other, checked the gauge, used an infrared temp gun, replaced the thermostat, blah, blah, can't seem to pin point what the issue is yet. Water temps are normal, water pressure is normal, oil pressure is normal. Other than that I love these boats, they are fast, big, heavy, sexy boats. Alot of boat for the money.

We finally changed out both the high and low pressure fuel pumps and all has been great. I have not noticed any high oil temps but I really just run the boat at 3500 - 4000 rpm's. The sticks have seen the dash twice but only for 20 seconds or so.

Good to know, thank you.
How do you guys like the overall ride and layout of the 343? I recently sold my Formula 292 fastech with twin 6.2's and it handled fantastic, but took a long time to get on plane at 3500' altitude, the prop change helped considerably.
Any comments of likes and dislikes would be appreciated.

Also I am getting close to pulling the trigger on one if we come to terms but will need a high quality trailer for our long tows to the big lakes, Powell and Havasu.

Any trailer recommends Prefab or Custom?

Best,
Ted

I know you seem to be talking to Chad (RebarBox). I'll respond, again, having owned a couple of these boats. The ride is fabulous, these boats, regardless of power, are big, deep, heavy boats and they'll eat up any chop you throw at it. Very responsive in the turns. Regarding the layout, being a center console and having the step up walkways on either side leaves a relatively small space on either side of the center seating for walking and moving around. Plenty of room in the rear, great space on the hatches, swim platform and up on the front deck. Just a little cumbersome right around the center seating. Coming on plane, just drop the trim tabs and power up, it'll break over easily in 4-6 seconds, depending on the load distribution. Run the tabs up and off you go. I have found that I generally run with the port side tab down a little bit for the boat to run level due to the added weight of the macerator and plumbing on the port side.
On both boats I have had, I have used stock aluminum trailers. Both have need some modification the the winch post due to the anchor hanging off the nose. the anchor will not clear a standard winch post. I have had both modified by cutting them down and adding an upside down L and adding a V catch and another post further down the hull. You can see this by looking at any 343 trailer that came from Cobalt. Also needed some bunk adjustments. Difference is 4-5000. I had one quoted from the Cobalt dealer. It was going to be about 11500. You can pick up a nice used aluminum V hull trailer for 6 to 8000. The MOST IMPORTANT thing I can tell you about the trailer is, be sure you get enough tongue weight. This boat is so big and heavy, if you don't get the boat positioned on the trailer right, the boat/trailer will take over and unless you have a Sport Chassis or a Topkick/Kodiak you'll end up heading for the ditch. Right position and tongue weight and you can pull easily with a 1 ton truck even a 3/4 ton. You probably know all that, I learned the hard way!! Hope this helps with the decision, maybe Chad can add to this

Thanks for the great insight, Im getting quotes on some trailers now and shipping back to Utah. I'm a little concerned about the resale ability as i tend to change often. I do sell Porsches for a living so I like the high quality of Cobalts as I have had 3 of them in the past for years and have sold them all within 1 week of listing them. I need to make sure I buy it right, so I can sell it fairly easily if it comes a trailering nightmare, 350 miles each way to Powell and 600 each way to Havasu.

FWIW, the Fastech is 8'3" wide. 343 is 9'8" wide. Seems like it'd be a royal PITA to regularly tow 350x2 or worse, 600x2. I'm sure you know the beams but put me down for thinking the wider Cobalt would grow tiresome in a hurry. I tow an 8' wide Cigarette about 2800 miles a year. Would not want to think about it with a 10' wide boat.

Hello everyone, if anyone is aware of anything out there I am looking for a 343 with 496 HOs. Ideal boat would be freshwater, under 250 hours, no speedtop as it won't fit in my dry dock, generator, lighting, big stereos, and the center v berth cushion are all a plus. Thank you everyone.

When y'all get a chance could someone give me an idea if this boat will fit inside a 40' garage with trailer of course.

Id also like to know if this boat is a decent choice for staying in the cabin for a couple of days? I'm thinking Powell, Lake of the Ozarks. I also like to trailer quite a bit. I know the boat is wide and can require a permit in some states. Also in the mix are Formula Fastecs, Donzi, and Fountains. I don't need the boat to be a rocket but I'd like twin big blocks 496 HOs or 525s. If y'all think small blocks would work please explain. Thanks much for any feedback.

I'd say 40' would be the bare minimum. Depends on how the trailer is set up & how long of a tongue is on it. A 343 is 37'2" with platform.

Very few (if any) offerings for a boat of this size with small blocks.

I've owned 2 343's. An 04 with 496HO's and an 06 with 525's. My shop is 45' and i have 3-4' of clearance. I don't think a 40' storage will work although it would just depend on the position of the boat on the trailer and the length of the tongue. You "could" stay in the boat for a couple of nights if you have a boat that has the optional V berth inserts in the cabin. There is adequate ventilation with the 2 hatches in the deck, if the boat has no gen, then obviously no heat or air, you have a limited amount of fresh water, and the macerator head. You "could" but it wouldn't be like being in a boat that is made to overnight in. Both boats come on plane well with the trim tabs down, the 496 boat was 66mph at WOT, the 525 boat was 74mph at WOT. If you're going to pull this boat you need at least a 1 ton dually, you can pull with 3/4 ton for a short distance, but if you're going any distance you need a big boy truck. Happy to visit about it if you like, feel free to PM me

Unfortunately, No. I purchased the boat & top from brwic. The speed top has been re-installed and is at home in our dock at LOTO.

Since there is continuing interest in these wonderful boats I'm gonna share some of my experiences with a 2005 that I purchased just over a year ago and have putting sweat equity into restoring to as close to new condition as I can get. Original specs: Blue/white with yellow stripe, 2x496HO mags (completely stock with 180 & 185 hours @ closing) with Bravo 1 XR's. Options: windlass, Dometic a/c unit for cabin, TV package, speed top, Westerbeke 3kw genset, shorepower, electroflush head, bow mounted spotlight. Upgrades: Hardin Marine stainless seawater pumps port and starboard, Fusion marine stereo head unit, Garmin gps plotter, new flat screen (16x9) to replace OEM 4x3 tv. I purchased her fairly cheap and have been restoring many of the neglected systems with the object of being able to do boat camping in the Bahamas and/or Dry Tortugas. Major systems that have required significant rehab or replacement: a/c unit completely replaced with upgraded Dometic 8000btu unit, generator (inoperative) pulled and sent out for repair...new carb, flush clean seawater cooler, rebuild fresh and seawater pumps, new voltage regulator, new belts. When reinstalling the genset we placed it up on 2x4 planks at each end to facilitate the user replacement of the belts which are virtually impossible to reach/change with the gen mounted to the deck in the well under the helm station (oem installation), replaced all 6 main circuit breakers in the engine compartment electrical load center due to extreme corrosion. Engine repairs/upgrades: port starter, port and starboard generators, and the port seawater pump due to leakage behind the drive pulley. Installed drains for all scuppers that previously drained into engine room bilge (!) so that they would drain into a wet sump powered by the midships bilge pump resulting (except in case of malfunction) in a dry bilge.

I have oil temps...as noted by others of about 260 degrees when running hard. There is no spec for this since MerCruiser doesn't equip the 496's with oil temperature sensors from the factory...these are apparently added by Cobalt. I have the original lake test report which shows oil temps at WOT of...you guessed it...260 and 260. You be the judge. Seawater temps run around 180 degrees at WOT in these warm FL waters.

I've been in 7-9 foot seas and this boat handles them better than the skipper...if you're driving from the "up" (not seated) position you will be doing a LOT of very deep squats in this kind of water each time you land the boat. That kind of water is not for the faint of heart but I never had any doubt about her ability to maintain structural integrity despite "flying" her completely out of the water 3 times in 10 minutes despite my best efforts not to. Needless to say my cabin was a mess after that day!

She's a tough girl and will produce 57 mph on the GPS (even with bottom paint) at WOT or idle all day at 600-100 rpm if you want. Room for two in the cabin at night...if you're friendly. Generator can be heard clearly in the cabin at night but it's not obtrusive (sound shielded) unless you don't like white noise. Room for two on sunpads aft and two more with the optional sunpad on the foredeck. Speedtop a must in tropical climates or you will fry yourself during day running!

That's my review....questions or dissenting pinions welcome. Hope this helps a few of you!

Orionz, Nice write up. Is your boat the one that was listed in Vero Beach? I called on the listing yesterday and the broker said it was sold. I guess he was just too lazy to take it down.

There's also one in Port Canaveral at the same marina I have my Sea Ray stored. I'm trying to get a look at a boat near my home in Melbourne as my wife and I are done with the Express Cruiser and want a 30'+ cuddy cabin boat with a walk through transom, 10' beam or less, and reasonably easy access to the bow. Few boats meet this criteria.

Would love to see your boat in person if it's still local. Not looking for a free ride, just want to get a feel for the layout. I'll buy lunch. ;)

Thanks, Ken

I was able to see a 343 over the weekend and it's a beautiful boat. The cockpit reminds me of a Jag XJ I used to own and if it were just 3-4 people it would work. For our use though it's a bit tight.

Is that boat avilable

You want to sell that boat

My 343 is listed in the major FB pages and soon on the OSO classifieds. PM me for details. Hoping to get it sold this month.

"Orionz, Nice write up. Is your boat the one that was listed in Vero Beach? I called on the listing yesterday and the broker said it was sold. I guess he was just too lazy to take it down.

There's also one in Port Canaveral at the same marina I have my Sea Ray stored. I'm trying to get a look at a boat near my home in Melbourne as my wife and I are done with the Express Cruiser and want a 30'+ cuddy cabin boat with a walk through transom, 10' beam or less, and reasonably easy access to the bow. Few boats meet this criteria.

Would love to see your boat in person if it's still local. Not looking for a free ride, just want to get a feel for the layout. I'll buy lunch. ;)"

@StitchKing Sorry to have been a non-participant over the "winter." She's @ Bluepoints in Cocoa Beach. If still interested PM me contact info and we'll definitely do it. I love to show her off!

Does anyone know where the 343 Concept Boat landed up? This was the one with Yanmar Diesels and surface drives. Did they ever produce more than one?

Is there anyone on Lk St Clair that has one of these that would be willing to meet up by chance? Be happy to buy beers to set foot on one for a moment.

Wanted: Speedtop for a 343. Thanks for any leads.
 

Wanted: Speedtop for a 343. Thanks for any leads.

Curious if any other 343 owners have the v berth filler cushion option and would be willing to take some measurements for me. Or perhaps a former owner that somehow still has their 343 filler cushions.

called cobalt corporate and they were of absolutely no help. they don't have any cushions, don't have the dimensions (or won't release them) and do not have a third part that is authorized to reproduce them.

hoping I can get close with a match on the vinyl. but would love some dimensions to start with to get me much closer to the ball park. would be glad to take some dimensions or pics of the speed top (if you don't have one) or something else.

For those of you who might watch Hoovie's Garage on YouTube. His mechanic has a 343....a really nice one!

SKIP to 10:25 to see the boat.

Unique set of options on that one for sure. Railing on the bow, and teak cockpit kit jump out at me. Didn't catch whether the 496s were HOs or not, but unique none the less. That black looks good too, and that's saying something. Because Cobalt black is a major PITA to maintain.

Thats GLOC- I wouldnt suggest coming in someones dock Uninvited, Could get UGLY lol

saw today that Cobalt supposedly only produced 121 of the 343 models. Rarer boat than I thought. Loving mine, still working on stereo upgrades and currently wiring up a proper inverter set up.

Well, I picked up an 05 343 this weekend. w 500 EFI's. Guess I will be in this club for now lol

Welcome to the club, PM me if you have any general questions, mine is 06 with 525s. i know this boat pretty well now, only place i havent been yet is in the fuel tank hahah

Hello-

I am an owner of a (New to me) 2005 343. I am in the middle of a major project converting it over to outboards and an open bow.

Has anyone ever removed the dash out of one of these? I have look at it for hours and I have not figured out how they installed it. I need to remove the analog gauges and get it ready for a new dash with plotters and vessel view.

Thanks!

Does it have an aluminum tower or Bimini top you are ditching?

Hello-

It actually has the factory Stainless Steel Bimini Top. I am going to use the bottom section of the frame and create a long fiberglass hard top.

Last month I bought a 2004 343 out of Chapin, South Carolina. Took me forever to find what I wanted at the correct price. This boat is immaculate and I'm really happy I found it. It's powered with twin 425 HP Mercruisers and Bravo x drives.

No tower on this one.

Congrats Stitch King on the purchase. I remember when that boat came to lake Murray. The owner did take care of the boat. I remember it being immaculate.

Big Butt boats for sure. I had to widen my slip 2'. Very comfortable ride. No so much for Air as my last toy :lolhit:

But we are all supposed to Grow up sooner or later :evilb:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f697ec0e49.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...811d36f0d3.jpg

She might be to fat to fly but they sure have some great lines. I fell in love at first site when Stitches new boat came to Lake Murray. We never grow up. lol.

The 9'7" beam makes it a challenge to get it into my shop with a 10'0" wide door opening so I've got to start looking to lease a new place with a 12' door.

I'm soon to be 56 and wanted a boat that did close to 70 MPH, had a swim platform I can dive from, a walk through transom, a cabin to sit in during the 4PM daily summer rainstorms here in Florida, and super easy access to the bow.

I shopped the Formula 370, 400 and the 343, A36 Cobalts. Every Formula I looked at that lived in the south had cabin upholstery that was literally falling apart due to the vinyl itself delaminating in addition to the headliner falling down. (This is not to slight the Formulas, it's just my anecdotal observations.) After seeing 12 boats like that I switched to the Cobalts.

I'd owned a 1999 25' for a couple of years and sold it to a friend who still owns the boat. It's held up remarkably well and for it's age it still shows like new.

Right now I'm trying to figure out what to do for a tower and bimini on this boat. Already had a bout with skin cancer so shade is a requirement. Wifey also wants something to stabilize on when she uses the walkaround steps to get to the bow.

Now the trick is to find a pipework guy here in Florida that's not a butcher or pirate.