From Cat to Console, a Nor-Tech CC is in my Future
 

Like many of my fellow OSO'ers I'm making the switch from a Go Fast to a Performance Center Console. This was a long time in the making since I had plenty of time to consider my options while my boat was for sale. I can't tell you how many times another Go Fast surfaced for sale & I was drawn in. Trading performance boats of interest classified links w/ Cashbar certainly didn't help!!:drool1: No doubt I'll always be a Go Fast guy but today I see myself getting much more use & enjoyment out of the Nor-Tech 340.

I spent a good amount of time looking at center consoles at this years Miami Boat Show but once I knew my boat was sold things really kicked into to gear. Nothing beats the transition from being a boat buyer w/ a trade to being a boat buyer w/o a trade! All of a sudden my stock went way up! I spent the later part of this summer making my way up & down the east coast looking boats & educating myself before I committed to a Nor-Tech. As much as I might have liked to own a Nor-Tech I basically discounted them because I wasn't aware they even offered a 340, just the 390 which is a bit more boat than I would like to own. Initially I began my search for a pre-owned 340 but they are far & few between. Pretty amazing based on the fact there's got to be nearly 50 of them built to date in just a few years. Seems most love them & are holding on to them or have traded up to a 390. I even posted in the Nor-tech Forum hoping someone would know someone that was considering selling their 340 but maybe not advertised just yet. NOPE!!

Thanks to those of you that shared your personal Nor-Tech experiences w/ me as well as educated me on the boat, which options are MUST haves & which are LIKE to haves. The input & advice has been invaluable but none more than the suggestions that I make a trip to Fort Myers & visit the Nor-Tech facility and that's exactly what I did 2 weeks later w/ the assistance & hospitality of John Kray & Mark Bonafide of Sportboats Marine www.sportboatsmarine.com. Sportboats got me out on a customers 340 the day I arrived as well as over to the Nor-Tech factory where Cashbar & I had the chance to climb around several boats being rigged. If I'm not mistaken I believe I'm currently the record holder for most questions asked during an initial factory tour & meeting w/ Nor-tech's Sales & Marketing Director Terry Sobo. Don't believe me, ask Terry or Cashbar yourself.

Things went so well I even had enough time to visit Evolution Trailers & get out on the water courtesy of Fort Myers Offshore's Taxman.

Ultimately it took a 2nd trip to Fort Myers to seal the deal but I was pretty much sold after my first visit. I think the 2nd was just an excuse to go back & get another look with the hopes it would make the build time seem a little shorter. It obviously worked because my turn in the mold has arrived so the build process is officially under way.

Congrats! Im sure you cant go wrong!!!

Heard this was happening ... great news, Michael. I know you did al lot of homework to reach your final decision. I also know you'll keep us posted as the build progresses. Should be a fun one to follow.

Good for you Michael! :)

Congrats Nascat. Can't wait to follow the build

You'll enjoy the center console no doubt. You can also do what many of us do...... 2 boats maybe 5 like me. Have fun with your build!

Congrats!!!!

Way to go! Got any graphics renderings? How many hanging on the transom?

Awesome, Congratz!!

Congrats on the new boat!

Big congrats, super jealous as well lol.

Keep up with the updates if you can and most importantly enjoy your new boat! Great choice!

Your boating scenario is happening on a daily basis in my office.I have 3 center console insurance deals closing this week with people that owned performance boats.

Congrats Nascat, mine is in the mold and going to rigging the end of this month. Good luck with your build, i have quite a bit of time in both the 34 and 39 and they are great boats.

Congrats. You're going to love that boat!

Congrats, your going to enjoy tremendously your new purchase.

Very cool! Congrats

Nice to see you share your story Michael. I know we kicked around every other option you considered and I think you made the best possible choice. I, like everyone else here, look forward to following the build. Keep posting all the way until the delivery. Which I expect to be here in Fla since it will be MARCH. :nicethread:

Congrats .. you will love it.. See you in Flordia !!!

Congrats!!

Congrats so what power did you decide on?

Congrats Michael,

Enjoy the NT, they build a great boat.

Scott Sjogren

MYSTIC Powerboats
www.pier57.com

Congrats! Looking forward to seeing the build progress. Thanks for sharing.

So it's NASCAT to NASCON?:) :nicethread:

Congrats
I'm curious what are your "must have options"?
Merry Christmas

Congrats! - Where's the renderings?!?!

I appreciate all the positive comments, I'm certainly excited about the build as well as the ownership. Without a doubt half the fun has been the hunt & pursuit of a new boat, then I'd say further educating myself about the available options & how some of the others have opted out their boats & why.

Bill63 is a proud owner of a Nor-Tech & has been a great resource for me as has Scott Sjogren, Cashbar & Pstorti. Even though they may not own Nor-tech's their industry experience & product knowledge have assisted me in the finalizing of many spec / option decisions.

Mark & John at Sportboats have helped open my eyes up to considering options & schemes I might not have had I not connected with them. I think John has an eye for designing a boat w/ eye appeal / balance when it comes to the boats overall scheme & color selections. If I'm not mistaken he was instrumental in the design & release of the Nor-Tech 344GT model (pictured below).

Erik1976- we ought to compare notes. I'd be very interested to hear about your build. Feel free to post & share on this thread.

Matt T.- my head hurts from all the homework assignments I created for myself, I can only hope that they will pay dividends in the end.

PS- for the record I will always be a Go Fast guy thru & thru so I'm certainly not down on that style of boat or boating preference, if I could I would own a variety of boats for every need but unfortunately my Powerball #'s haven't hit yet so I'm forced to choose based on practicality. My bigger fear being my OCD boating care & upkeep habits could potentially drive me to the looney bin owning more than 1 boat at a time. Such a terrible problem to have.

Rough Sketch
 

Unfortunately no real pencil sketch outline of a Nor-Tech 340 exists for Photoshop / design purposes so attached you'll will find my color by numbers attempt at providing you guys w/ a rendering. I'm working on a better rendering for you, PROMISE!

We aren't 100% finalized yet but it's basically a white 340 w/ a bow to stern metallic black stripe just below the rubrail & from the hulls edge up unlike your typical bootstripe - pinstripe combo. The hardtop is white on the topside but the underside & edge will also be metallic black as will the helm seat structure, console/lounger base & Frigid Rigid cooler. The hardtop tubular structure will be Satin Black as will the dash topside to reduce the glare.

The upholstery white w/ black accents

I started down this path initially but was advised against the black hull. I pitched this concept to Nor-tech w/ the hopes it would make the 2015 Miami Boat Show but I was too late to the game.

Nice nascat. I'm glad u didn't listen to me with all the problems I had! Lol just kidding terry Sobo. Nortech a sweet a$$ boat. Best resell out there IMO.

Cashbar, I can't wait until we follow your build. What's it going to be? MTI, mystic, nortech, a pontoon boat? What?

This is a 39 Sport, everywhere you see silver in these pics will be metallic black on my boat. Keep in mind this boat has the gunwales & most of the interiors perimeter painted black whereas mine will be white. I didn't opt for PlasDeck flooring but am working closely w/ Alex at Castaway Customs on something a little less busy that will compliment the white & black interior.

Hope this gives you a better overall sense of the scheme.

As for the basic specs I opted for

Triple Merc 300's (I'm aware of Mercury's forthcoming release of the 350's & 400's but prefer to stick w/ the tried & true at this point, how much faster do you want to go in a CC??

Triple Bolster Helm Seating w/ center steering
Fixed Rear Bench
Modified Bow Bench Seating like a 390 (see pic)
Mercury Sport Controls (similar to Livorsi, see pic)
Dual Garmin 7612's + Merc Vessel View
Fusion / JL Audio
A/C
Sea-Dek Flooring

Can't wait to see it. Congrats.

Very possible, pictured is my brothers NASCAM a 67 Camaro on a NASCAR chassis

Congrat's on the center console!!! You'll love it and I'm sure Terry will take care of you every step of the way. My two cents for what its worth is stay away from matte paint. You can't clean it(easily), wax it, or touch it up. It looks cool, but it's been a pain in the a$$ on my Cig.

Damn, now that is a very cool car/project. Bet it is a blast to drive.

I appreciate the feedback Bubba, here we refer to it as matte or satin, in essence it's a base coat black w/ a non-glare type clear coat so it's still smooth, can be cleaned & cared for. Several auto manufacturers offered cars in the finish I'm speaking of. I've seen several BMW M series cars in it.

So what made you want to switch from the cat?

Hows your bro's car working out? He was saying he had a bunch of issues to work out. Has he got it sorted?

Congrats on the purchase, they build a great boat. Looking forward to following the thread.

The plastic rubrail w/ the steel insert seems like it more for looks than purpose on the nortechs,,,, congratulations on your new boat

This one is gorgeous, Congrats!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSmjvQadUm4

Basically I just wasn't getting the use out of the skater. My 2 best boating buddies both had their 1st child, work required more of my time, no one could get the time off to attend events w/ me or they could only fly in so that meant I had to do all the towing solo, there are 2 local lakes but let's face it the Skater wasn't a raft up boat, I got tired of the small cockpit, no ability to get out of the sun & or basic creature comforts. Basically the cat didn't meet my needs & my lifestyle wasn't a good fit for owning just one boat & it being a cat. I spoke w/ OSO member Orthobaumrecently & he said he uses his cat to go for breakfast or an occasional blast down the lake & the cruiser to get out and relax w/ the family. Unfortunately for me I only had one option & that option simply didn't jive w/ my change in boating style / needs. The Skater was a great boat & I enjoyed some great rides in it but as I stated previously in this thread unless I nail the Powerball #'s I'm pretty much going to be a 1 boat, boat owner.

My brother recently relocated to NC & also works at HMS. Over the past 18 mos he's basically worked his way from bumper to bumper addressing most of the items that were not to his liking or lacking the attention to detail he was in search of. Overall I think he's pleased w/ the car & is anxious to get here ASAP where he can enjoy it much more as well as attend new events w/ it.