I thought I'd seen every NT 340 vid out there until you shared this one, I see it was just recorded last week.
SWEET, thanks for sharing, boat looks awesome at speed.

The guy's name is Propbender on The Hull Truth, I think he is a dealer out of Alabama, he has built a couple 39's.

That would be Grander Marine.
I stumble across lots of links that lead to TheHullTruth when surfing the net but thats not a site I've really frequented or surfed much.

Nascat, What made you go with your boat and not the 344 GT?

Funny you should mention b/c I was interested in that model & some of the differences but after researching further it was more costly & I think it was going to paint me into a corner from a resale perspective.

Here's a link to an OSO Classified of a 344GT w/ many pics from different angles so you can better understand my concerns.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o53724-en.html

I really liked the highback seats but when you go w/ the 2 rows you'll notice that there's a center divider & that there's barely any room in front of the fixed rear bench. To me it looks like it would feel very cramped. The hardtop structure is very different as is the overall size of the GT top, it's smaller but I'm told you can opt for the standard size hardtop but I've not seen one. The highback seats have power drop out bottoms which make them more expensive. You also loose the cooler or it gets relocated but I don't see it in any of these pictures.

I definitely liked the sportier look, thought it would definitely be more poker run worthy but didn't like the added expense, loss of space & the fact it made the boat more single purpose. Personally I don't plan to have 14 friends out on my boat every weekend (heck I don't know that I even have that many friends), my local lake for just getting out on any given weekday afternoon, evening or weekend isn't that large to be running wide open & crushing waves, I plan to do more coastal & ICW leisurely type boating, I prefer the the roominess of the std 340 cockpit (rear of the helm) but also the modified bow area I opted for from a social & comfort aspect (it was a must have). If I built a GT w/ the tighter cockpit & modified bow seating I think I would have regretted it both personally & at the time of resale. A Bahamas run is definitely on my bucket list which I think the GT suits perfectly but again I didn't want to build my boat around 1 or 2 events having just exited a very single purpose boat.

I included one overhead shot of a 340 built w/o the hardtop to give you an idea of the layout in the std 340. The Frigid Rigid cooler located behind the helm seating slides back towards the stern offering you the ability to sit facing forward or face to face w/ the rear bench when slid forward.

That was my reasoning but for others depending on how they plan to use the boat, where & whether they own multiple boats they may feel differently. As I mentioned earlier on in this Thread John Kray of Sportboats Marine worked w/ Nor-Tech to come up w/ that GT concept & he has sold several of that model.

PS- I believe all 344GT's built to date are quad engine boats, once again a price point item for me that didn't register real high on my list.

This boat sparked several ideas for me including the option to end up somewhere in between a std 340 Sport & the 344GT. It was built w/ the power GT seats at the helm, standard size hardtop, still accommodated the cooler & left plenty of room for the fixed rear bench. Not sure how many have seen this 1 of a kind layout to date but I think it will be a viable option for those looking for a 340 Sport / 344GT hybrid. Besides cost I prioritized the triple bolster center helm seating over the dual & loss of 1 wind protected seat.

This boat turned out really nice considering it incorporated many firsts (hybrid helm seating, contoured lounger & added bow bench seating)

Now you have a better idea of what Matt Trulio meant when he said I did my homework. I may not have spec'd out my build like some of you would have but there's probably not a NT 340 out there I haven't seen or that hasn't come up in conversation.

Great Thread, Great Boat.
Good luck to you and HMS in 2015!!!

Maybe use the Nor-Tech logo and font only with NAS-TECH

:):):) Keep the pics coming please. Jolley

Thanks for the 2015 well wishes as well as your support of the HMS teams.

I sort of like that Nas-Tech concept!!

PS- if you you aren't satisfied w/ the # of pics posted please communicate & direct your dissatisfaction to Terry Sobo of Nor-Tech @ 1-800-555-1212 I only have so many & rely on he & Sportboat Marine for my updates!! :party-smiley-004:

All kidding aside Nor-Tech & Sportboat Marine have been excellent to work with so I have every confidence that they will not disappoint!!

I best be invited on the pick up trip and maiden voyage (unless of course we are snowmobiling or Blake is snowcross racing)! But rest assured Mahieu Motorsports will be down this summer! Hope to you see you soon my friend.

Nobody, I mean NOBODY is more detail oriented leaving no stone unturned at least 10 times than you my friend!

With an offer like that I might just allow you to fetch it for me & save me all the driving BUT something tells me that some form of the word SNOW will become the defining factor!

I know different strokes for different folks but have you ever considered a west coast cat?

I've had 4 of them. You get the speed, cabin, etc......best of everything. I too like skaters but they are just go-carts. Awesome, but not too much fun for a day on the lake.

My Eliminator is fast, has a cabin, a/c, wind protection. Still runs 120mph with ilmor power.

I'm familiar w/ both Eliminator & DCB but based on my intended use, no I didn't consider them b/c they still don't offer any sun protection underway, they have limited seating, almost zero walk around room, no real exterior lounging area, aren't as rough water capable or as dry & wouldn't be as saltwater friendly as a CC w/ OB's. That's not to say they aren't nice boats that offer amenities other cats don't but a 70+ mph CC will cruise plenty fast enough for the type of boating I plan to do while still offering all the other creature comforts I seek.

Like you said different strokes.

Find me at a poker run 36' Eliminator Daytona "YOLO"

Unlike a skater the seats are high off the ground, your knees are bent. I have the coupe, you can have a glass roof on and the a/c on while under way if you want. Tons of walk around room. Had 4 girls in the cockpit dancing, huge layout pad. I've used all mine in the salt for the last ten years. My cabin has a/c, flat screen, dvd. You read a lot of bulls*** on the web that's not true. Just like Cig Glads roll over if you look at them.

I did the entire Destin Poker Run last year in my 25' Daytona. http://photos.flpowerboat.com/p94754648

I've already owned 2 cats, I don't think you will find many that reason like you do or utilize the boat in the way that you do but it's not a right or wrong just personal preference. Post a pic of your 36 so I know to look for you.

Oh yea man, I hear ya. Just throwing it out there. Your nortech is gonna be awesome. I just notice the Florida Power Boat club stuff that there is not much presence of west coast.

340 Sport
 

I'm basically doing a triple 300 build, 12" Garmins, VV7, big stereo, painted console/seat/cooler, fixed rear bench and not a single rod holder on it. If you are down over the holidays I live by the yacht club, shoot me a txt and we can have a beer 705-499-1851. I'll be at the factory Monday and will try to sneak some pics for you....

Erik

Sounds like we have similar builds. I reduced the # of cup holders on the back side of the helm seating as well as the # of rod holders behind the rear bench but added 2) combo cup / rod holders in the gunwales for versatility & resale. Obviously they aren't expensive & can be added at any time so I just minimized the qty & opted for NO rocket launchers off the back side of the hardtop.

I won't make it down for the holidays, not really much to see currently but I will give you a shout some time in late Jan once the hull & deck are joined & the boat moves out to the rigging shop. Pics are always appreciated. Feel free to post some of your boat too.

Digging the changes you've made to the Sport. Did you go with a bow thruster?

I considered it but ultimately did not thinking I could manage a 34' boat. Additionally Mark from Sportboats said he'd kick my butt if I invested in that crutch stating I should easily be able to manage based on going w/ triples & the spread between the 2 outer engines. If I were ordering a 390 I think it would move over to my MUST HAVE list but it only made my LIKE to HAVE list & the savings basically pays for a trailer.

Terry says a bow thruster can be added at anytime even after the boat is complete. Sportboat Marine uses a local vendor that installs them all the time in various boats they sell that may not have come OEM equipped. May not be the most cost effective way vs a factory install but if you don't have the $$$ now or happen to pick up a used boat w/o one at least one has options.

Check back w/ me a year from now & I'll let you know whether or not I made the right decision??!!:pray:

In for the first ride on LKN!

I have to be honest, you've beat everyone else to the punchline, except for those wanting to join me in FL when I pick her up!

I'd be in line for that too, but the wife wouldn't let me go to Florida without her...

Enjoy your new ride when it comes in! I'll be scanning the lake for it!

Congrats Michael!

Congrats on the build NASCAT. Are you going with standard black Verado's or are they going to be custom matched to the boat?

Since the boats primary color is white w/ black accents I chose to stick w/ the std black Merc Verado's. I may paint portions of the cowlings white to compliment the rest of the boat after I take ownership of the boat & determine how I might personalize or improve the overall color scheme but just isn't a priority at the moment. I tend to be into functional not fancy & avoid the "all show, no go" options.

The main benefit of the white Verados (which Mercury now offers as an optional color whereas Nor-Tech had to paint them in the recent past) is heat reduction. Place your hands on the top of a black cowl in the Florida sun and you may leave some skin! Downside of the white VRods is the staining under the exhaust port below the cowl.

I agree with the trips and the spread of the outer engines you should be OK. The 340 with twins can be a bit of a bear in a stiff breeze to get the nose to come around. Found that out this fall on Mentalpause's boat. The "crutch" came in handy!

My bud's 340 had a bowthruster, was nice but not required. My other bud's 390 had a bowthruster and it was really nice around the dock. I did not go for a bow thruster on my 340 either, if it was a 390 i wouldnt go without one.

Do it now, trust me you will love it.

FYI, I've been driving a boat for a long time.

The only down fall with a thruster in a 34 is in certain flat water situations with trim and speed I've noticed a vibration at one certain trim setting with the thruster. Other then that I would not own a 34 39 392 etc.. CC without one.

The only way I would not do a thruster is of course your the best CC boat driver like Terry Sobo.

Love it, "crutch"

With regard to the engine colors & bow thrusters, great feedback guys especially from those w/ experience & I welcome it.

Keep in mind I was "QUOTING" when I used the word "Crutch":)
Ultimately I know it can be a useful resource no matter how experienced one might be w/ winds, tides & or currents.
I negotiated 10hrs of 1 on 1 in water training w/ the One & Only Terry Sobo, I'm just not confident he's aware of this. :party-smiley-004:

I do agree with the name NASTEC!!

Congrats on the new Nor-Tech. They must be awesome to be replacing your Skater.

Michael,
Forget a bow thruster and do the Mercury Joystick. You will get an Autopilot with it too! Been on some it is way better.

Ron,

I inquired about the Joystick since you got way more bang for the buck in comparison to the cost of just a thruster BUT Nor-Tech doesn't offer it as an option, it's not on their price sheet & I even inquired. I believe Nor-Tech is a PRO Mercury boat builder but maybe the confidence in the system installed on boats that run upwards of 60mph w/o a tie bar isn't. I've heard a similar tune from others builder as well. I have ZERO experience & have only been on one boat during a sea trial that had it.

Have experience with Axius in a buddy's old 350 SS Formula. The joystick takes a certain touch and some experience to use it with some level of finesse You are not just going to grab it and spot the boat on a dime in any conditions. The autopilot is a nice feature. The Skyhook feature, while cool in theory, is pretty worthless unless you want to hear drives banging in and out of gear every couple seconds. Just seemed dangerous to me in any situation you might want to use it. The lack of a tie bar was a concern over the long haul in terms of gimbal life (obviously does not apply to outboards). The 340 Nor-Tech with twins and the thruster is more manuverable over the 350 SS with Axius.

I experienced the Skyhook during the sea trial I was on, it certainly worked but I agree the in & out of gear was annoying as were the fumes which I understand would be situation specific based on conditions.

This might be a dumb question but why would a 34' boat really need bow thrusters? Does it have to do with the design of the CC and how it acts around the docks?

At the Miami Boat Show I brought that question up to one of the Mercury Reps that was at the In water part of the show. Is the Joy Stick compatible with boats that travel in excess of 65 Mph? He looked confused and then said it should be ok. After a couple more minutes of small talk I then asked him at what speed would you recommend the need for a Tie Bar on the motors. He said anything over 60MPH !!! Too say the least I left CONFUSED.