Cobalt 343
 

Does anyone have any knowledge about the Cobalt 343? It seems that Cobalt has taken this model out of production after a short run. I am considering this model...it has a huge cabin and cockpit...because I'm 6'4 and I need something larger than normal. Some of them came with Merc 600's, but there are plenty to be had with 525's. Anyway, any input would be appreciated!

ive got one for sale w/ 24 hrs and 525s warranty till sept 2012 pm me if interested ps this one runs strong 80 mph full of fuel with 5 big guys on board

I've been in one at the boat show. The cabin is not huge and really lacks the headroom. I would venture to say that the cabin is not much bigger than a 35 fountain and the headroom is about the same. The cockpit is sweet, but takes up most all the room on the boat.

the boats actually 9'8"wide vs 8'6" so the cabin is 14"wider. the wrap around couch that doubles as a bed is a nice use of space. the headroom in the cabin itself is fine , however it's a little tight in the head . much nicer quality of fit, finish and amenities than the fountain

Floating living room or a gentlemans day boat. Not a fast boat and extrememly pricey when it was in production. Not a big seller for them. Quite a few on the used market.

i found 3 with 525's on boattraderonline.com. If youve never been in one you might be surprised. it's faster than you think . ask billy frenz about the outerlimits i passed on the around manhatten brunch run the guy was scratching his head as we went by

If you want speed and head room in the cabin you might try this . 6'10" of head room in the cabin and high 70's on the water. Pm or email for details

We have sold a Bunch of 343s They took them out of production to use the space at the plant to build 2 new Cobalt Yacht models (Needed the production room) with w/425 ho motors it runs around 68 mph w/525 with no speed top @ 74-6+ on a good day with full fuel Great boat lots of room (Gentlemans go fast) have several trades http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/0/90149170.htm
E mail me if you have any questions
Bob

just out of curiosity, how is the ride compared to other 33-35' boats. Thanks Jeff

Jeff
A lot Like a straight Bottom 35 fountain/Cig pretty forgiving in rough stuff Weight has a lot to do with the ride.More than Hull design in this case but a nice day boat and still feel like your in a go fast. I guess the boat I have been in that it reminds me most of ride and feel is a mid 90s Fountain 38 sport cruiser
Bob

My cousin has one with 525's. I ran it a bit last year. Very solid ride, but we run ib the Thousadn Islands, no ocean waves here. Best he has seen is around 75 mph. He had to buy Merc Maximus 5 blades to get that speed. His boat has a High X factor. It wouldn't be my first choice if you over night alot. More of an entertaining boat than a family boat.

Thanks Jeff, that's the kind of info I was looking for! Do you think that hull would respond if you threw a little power to it?

Biggest question:

Where are you going to run your new boat?
The Chain? Lake Michigan? Where else?

The chain? Bite your tongue! :D Lake Michigan only. I've owned two Cobalts in the past; an old 20' model, and a 2000 23LS, with a 502. I love the quality of the brand, but I need something bigger and faster and better riding in the slop.

We have some friends on table rock with one....496HO's. Cockpit is roomy, but cabin is small. Good for a break from the sun, but thats about it. Wide boat too. He told me the gen. is quite loud. Right underneath the helm. There are other day boats that would be higher on my list.

We have a friend that keeps one here in the Bay Area and runs it mostly on the Delta and Bay. I've got some good seat time in the boat in varying conditions. He's got 575's in it and the best I've seen for speed is mid 80's. I think it's got more left but on the bay you just can't run it harder. We like the boat and my wife loves it. Comfortable and stylish.

I was impressed with how fast your boat runs , but I would like to tell you that I was running at my cruise speed 75mph @4000rpms not my wide open throttle of 5800rpms . I don't like to run fast through the east river with all the debri.

no problem just having a little fun :evilb:

is your ol the red gtx?

IMHO, if you are going to run Lake Michigan predominately, you need a traditional offshore type boat; not a hybrid go-fast/luxury hull.

I can think of a few boats that fit that bill, but Active Thunder comes to mind first. :D :D

I've been on Lake Michigan (2006 Chicago Poker Run) in 6-8s with 10-12 foot holes. There were a lot of different boats brands out there, and more than a few limped back; broke--structurally and mechanically. I believe Cobalts are made very well, but I think you are going to want a deep-V (potentially stepped) bottom.

the 343 has a 24.5 degree deadrise single stepped bottom

Per:
http://www.boatingmag.com/article.as...1&print_page=y
Dry weight is 11,565 lbs. That's a HEAVY boat. I bet the 43' Nortech weighs close to that.
They also only list the maximum cabin headroom as 4'11".

I read they only built 1 Cobalt 343 w/ 575s, and it was for one of the HMFICs of Cobalt. True?

(The current Cobalt website only has the 323 listed, and that has a 22* deadrise.)

Black Thunder IS the way to go if you can swing the (big) logistics of the 43'/46' boat.

For comparison; I am 6'2" and I can stand up with my head tilted to the side to use the head in the 33'/37' AT.

those specs are accurate i own a 343 right out of the brochure you can also go to cobaltboats.com and look under previous spec sheets/brochures to bring the info up

once on the website go to download library , then owners manuals for the boat and year desired

you can also check brochure back issues for model and year desired all specs are there

i know that ocean performance sold one with 600's however the limiting factor is the xr drives if you put too much power to them you start breaking things if you search the forums you will find that cobalt apparently had problems getting enough air to the 600's overheating and what not.. the 525's run great!

heavy yes but this combined with the sharp deadrise yield a very nice ride in the slop for a 35 ft boat. for comparison my friend has a 35 donzi with the same power/drive setup that will run 92 in calm conditions throw in some 4-5 footers and i walk away from him

I found some better Google results on specs the more I looked; BUT the specs vary from site to site (weight).

I think Cobalt's are awesome boats; no need for anyone to be defensive.

pasquesi asked for any input; and when he said he was going to run Lake Michigan, that's when I mentioned that he'll probably be more comfortable in a traditional offshore boat rather than a "gentleman’s high-performance boat .... posh dayboat offering".

I forgot to mention earlier that the 38' Powerquest and the 38' Donzi ZX are also BIG cabin and cockpit boats, as well as the Baja .38 Special.

Where is your boat advertised? I'd love to see some pics.

The 343 Cobalt weighs 10.200 pounds dry with gas engines . I saw a couple here in BC with 525's and 575's . The 343 Cobalt is yacht certified that tells me a lot about quality .Ride is excellent with its 24.5 degree deadrise compared to my friend's 22.5 deadrise Donzi . I don't see the Cobalt any less of an offshore boat than Donzi , Baja , Powerquest etc... ! Here's a picture of the bottom that's nothing short of a true offshoreboat .
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/Cobalt%20343.jpg

Being as wide as it is, I wouldn't expect to see huge gains with more power. I would say 600's would push it over 80. I am unsure of the eficiency of the hull at higher speeds. Can't see Colbalt reasurching 90 plus speeds from that hull. They build cruisers, and this is their closest attempt at a speed boat.

Just my thoughts.

P.S. I LOVE the boat !

Just a little clarification, My 43 Nor-Tech is 44.6" without the additional tubular swim platform. Beam is advertised at 9', but comes in slightly wider, and weight is between 13250-14500 lbs depending on how optioned, twins, trips, and so on. Headroom is 6.5" at bottom of cabin step, in front of galley it is 6'2" and in head 06 models on up have 6.4". Down by v-berth 5.5". Jeff

the actual weight is 11565 i weighed it at a truckstop scale. the previous weights listing the the boat at 10200 are not accurate i had the same question when looking at trailers/tow vehicles. my boat ran 77 on the rev limiters with 15 1/4 x 28 bravo ones at 5500 indicated full of fuel with 5 250 lb guys on board. when we switched to un-labbed 30 pitch bravo ones the boat ran 80 at 5300 with some prop experimentation like herrings or the new cnc throttle up bravo one type props more is possible if we start talking stand off boxes low water pickups and shorties i think 90 is possible. once again this is a big lux type boat not a stripped race boat. my boat is not listed yet if interested pm me i'll send pics

Cobalt says the boat weights 11,750, and that's with twin BBCs. I imagine its heavier with twin diesels.

the weight stated depends on when the brochure was printed, earlier ones listed the weight at 10,200 lbs. The one that i have says 11565 then at the bottom says average dry weight meas with standard equip only. Do you not believe me when i tell you i actually weighed the boat on an official certified scale?

No, here is a picture of mine.. Tom

Thanks for all of the information. Are you using your GPS as an indicator of those speeds? You really got 80MPH out of that heavy monster with 5 guys on board? I'm not doubting you at all, I'm just surprised! Everyone is claiming 70 MPH max with 525's, so let me know. I'm very interested in talking to you further about the sale of your boat. Please send me pictures at [email protected]. We may be breaking the rules though!

I love the Active Thunders. I think the Cobalt thing is similar to any other brand loyalty. For me, the best experience I've ever had buying new cars or boats, was the day I picked up my Cobalt 23LS. The dealers and Cobalt itself will do anything to please you, and the fit and finish of their boats is remarkable. This is not a slam to any oher brands, it's just my observation and first hand experience with Cobalt.

I'm familiar with Lake Michigan, as I've boated there my entire life. I got caught in some BIG seas around Washington Island and I know all about the holes in the water. I think the weight of the 343, combined with the 24.5* deadrise makes this the perfect boat for me. I want to be able to blast along at 80....but I'm not willing to sacrifice comfort just to be able to run 90 or 100 for short periods.

using the gps speedo as well as the speed on the garmin gps/chartplotter i'll send you some photos i have on my phone let me know if they come through