Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

http://cobaltboats.com/model_line/343/intro343.php

Was looking at this today. They said with 600s on it would be a low to mid 80 mph boat. Not as fast as I would like but it gets the approval from the wife as family friendly (removable bimini, can seat more than 5 people, nice cabin). It is wide compared to most performance boats and the cockpit can sit 9-10 people when going pleasure cruising. Any thoughts on it ? Any other boat in the 35-40 foot range that can do 80 mph take 8-10 people on it and have a top for shade coverage? The only other boat I could think of would be the Fountain 38 Express but it will only do 70mph with 525s and it costs more. Thanks Mike

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

My brother has a Cobalt, very well built boat. Something tells me that if had 600's (expensive engines + relativiely expensive boat) it would cost as much if not more than a 38 Fountain though.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

So your brother has been happy with the Cobalt? I like the warranty they offer of 5 years on most of the stuff including the motor and drives (this would be nice to have with the 600s).
600s boat loaded is around $265,000
525s boats loaded is around $240,000.
The price would be up there. But a 525 Fountain express is around $325,000. I do not need the bedroom and size cabin the fountain has. I am looking for a day boat and will never sleep in it. I have a Fountain 38 LX with triple 225 optis right now. Nice boat just not fast enough .

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

The boats are known to last for ever, he's had it (I think its either a 26 or 28ft) for couple years and never anything negative to say. Contact blownincome here on the board, he's the service manager for East Coast Flightcraft where he go the Cobalt, they sell a ton of them. as a matter of fact they're also a pretty big Fountain dealer too. good luck

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

In my opion you can't go wrong with a Cobalt. Good family and great product.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

I think its a great boat, i checked it out at Miami. I like the beam size, speeds are great for purposes intended. Cabin was also great for your application, Well Built from what I could see at a fair price for value. Good Luck. Jeff

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Thanks for the info.
I noticed they have won the JD power award for highest customer satisfaction four years in a row. That shows me they are a great company.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

I agree the cockpit seemed very nice with a beam of 9'8". The cabin was good size for getting out of the rain. If it will actually do low-mid 80s I would be impressed and may have found the boat to fit my family's needs. I am hoping someone on this board has one and can verify the speeds for me.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

That looks nice. Take a look at the Formula's too. Same style boat.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

I looked at the formula370SS. Very nice boat but they do not let you big enough motors in it to get the speeds I want. The wife loved the cabin and layout of that boat.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Went over it at one of the recent shows. Looks great. Id put Ilmors or Yanmars in it though. definetly a nice family friendly cruiser. id love one for intercoastal cruises. more room for more people.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

I've got first hand info for you. I've driven it with 496 HO Mags & it is very easy & super stable to drive. Paxson (son of the Cobalt co. owner) has one on Grand Lake with 600's & it will run in the low low 80's. Needs very little trim and responds well to what you want it to do.
You can't go wrong with a Cobalt. I think they are the nicest boats out there in terms of build quality & support.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Thank you for the info. I am going for a test ride on one next month but it will have the 496s in it. The dealer says the boat is a very safe ride and it will not lose it ass end no matter how tight of a turn you make. All the comments seem to be very positive. I was worried I would get slammed asking about a boat on OSO that does not do 100 plus mph. I am wondering if the 525s will be enough or should I go with the 600s. I am leaning towards the 600s since I know I will want the most speed I can possibly get out of it. I am just hoping that the 600s are as reliable as the 525s. I was told that the 525 boat is doing high 70s. I am hoping that the 600 boat down here in the salt water will do closer to 84-85 mph. Thanks Mike

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Just curious I don't know about Cobalt and I am not against it but weren't you the guy asking about the Donzi zr38 with ilmors? If not sorry wrong guy. If so what happened to wanting one? And have you thought about putting the ilmors in the cobalt if your heart is set on it?

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Driven1
A 343 w/600 will run in salt water @ 82-86 mph closer to 82 overall I would recommend 1 w/600s and speed-masters w/low water pickups due to the high x dim. we have 1 in the field w/600s and several w/496 ho motors they run 68 .. very stable boat (kind of like a living room on steroids) and the cockpit seating is a Huge selling point! any other asst glad to help.
Bob Jordan :drink:

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

:d

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Base Pricing from the website.....

sounds like you were quoted a decent price !!!

Twin 496 Mag MPI Bravo 1 375 php (280 PkW) $229,244
Twin 496 Mag HO Bravo 1 X 425 php (317 PkW) $242,289
Twin 496 Mag HO Bravo 1 XR 425 php (317 PkW) $249,311
Twin 525 HP EFI Bravo 1 XR 500 php (373 PkW) $309,260
Twin 600 SCi Bravo One XR 575 php $345,739

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Yes that was me. I still like the Donzi zr with Ilmors, but I showed it to the wife at the Gasparilla boat parade and she did not care for it. The "cockpit is way to small", and no shade coverage. I have not asked about putting Ilmors in the cobalt. I don't think they will do it but I will see what they say when I speak to them next. My heart is not set on anything yet, still in the looking phase right now.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

So it is an honest put 6 people in and always break 80?
Can the boat be ordered with the low water pickups from the factory or is it something the dealer would have to do? Thanks for you feed back.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

http://cobaltboats.com/model_line/343/intro343.php
This will involve 1 second of your time to click this link to their website. If you go to www.cobaltboats.com/media you can check out some photos of it if you click on the 343.
I don't know how to post pictures on here from a website.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

The boat will be kept on a lift behind the house. I luckily will not have to deal with towing the boat and will not be buying a trailer for it. This could get me in trouble again if a hurricane heads our way again and I need to pull the boat out.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Those are all retail. I do not know how it works up there in the north east but on the boats I have bought down here in Florida I have gotten anywhere from 26%-to a best of 34% off retail pricing(on a Fountain).

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Check out the Baja 405 also. Probably not the quality leader like the Cobalt, but still a very nice cockpit. I was very impressed when I went through it in Miami. I think show price was about $230K with 496s...

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

CheckmateF1 here on OSO is a Merc mechanic, and has worked on a few, including a 575SC boat. Shoot him a PM and he can share some info.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

I have not seen one in person. I checked it out on the web and it looked pretty nice.

Re: Any thoughts on the Cobalt 343? Any owners on OSO?
 

Thanks I just send him a pm.