Nor-tech 340 vs 390
 

Hey all, Ive been lurking around here for quite some time and this forum has truly been invaluable to me. I'm finally in a position to purchase boat of my dreams after all my training and need your help. I'm a solid Nor-tech fan and would like to go this route. I plan on 70/30% entertainment/fishing, moving to Pensacola, but will be all around Florida (hopefully) for PR etc etc.
Reason for my post: Original plan was to build a new 340 w/trip 400's. However, knowing myself and after becoming comfortable with the 34, it would be very likely for an upgrade to a new 390 w/quad 400 (or whatever mercury has lurking out there) in 2-3 years. Does this make sense financially? How much of a loss would I be looking at? I know several members have gone through 340 nortech's and eventually upgraded. Would more experienced boaters say ease in with the 34 for several years and then go bigger, or just skip the stepping stone and make the one-time purchase.

Thoughts greatly appreciated.

What bill said :) if you buy the 34 you will always want the 39

You know what "THEY" say... BIGGER Is Better...:ernaehrung004:

Are you looking to build new or is pre-owned an option?

What is most impressive is how many hours you have put on them! I think your old boat had 500+ hours on it before you got the new one.

Only Bob beats you with "most hours on a Nortech!"

Best wishes on the new ride, keep us up to date (pics). thanks

Thats a nice set up, seems like 350's are a great power package. You raise a good point, I didn't consider the logistics of trailering long distances and maneuvering around.

From what Ive gathered, downsides to 400R are like NASCAT said, minimum 6k/motor, premium fuel (cost-fueling locations), insurance rates are higher, potential issues with the low water pickups around sandbars...and again- cost.
Anyone have experience in a quad 400 set up pros/cons? actual costs of maintenance etc?

The different in handling a 34' vs. a 39' as your first big boat wouldn't be that big of a deal. Just get a simple paint job so it can be touched up easy. :D
And make sure you get the bow thruster.

Can't make a bad choice, but if cost is not an issue go for the 39! Invariably, at a "trendy" hot spot you will be "one upped" by a 39 if you buy the 34. Most likely happen on your first day out! LOL :)

+1, I thought I was a better Captain than I am and saved the $$ on a bow thruster, MISTAKE :poopoo:

I think the 34 rode great. I sea trialed some others and it truly felt like a GT3 compared to everything else lol quality, build, performance, ride etc everything was first class about the nor-tech. I see the 400R popular on 39, what's the downside of trip 400s on 34, seems like the hull is pretty capable to get into the high 80mph range if you wanted to. Is it basically resale/warranty?

Also, it seems like it's time for Merc to come out with an even more tuned V6 R or more likely V8 Verado...any insider info on that? Nascat, if I recall, your first build was during the 350/400R release, did you time the build accordingly or just get lucky?

IMO one will not benefit from triple 400's on a NT 340 w/ the exception of acceleration which is already pretty strong w/ triple 350's. I ran both my 340's WOT w/1/2 fuel. 2 on board and they ran 80-81mph. This is not a comfortable place to be trimmed way out w/ the hardtop catching allot of air acting like a kite. It's a white knuckle ride at best & the chine walking is unnerving and unsafe. Both my boats were optioned w/ 380 K-Planes (std is 280) & while I can steady the ride, dropping the tabs scrubs off the speed. A Triple 350 powered 340 can run 75-77 comfortably all day w/ fuel and passengers. I don't see the benefit nor return on investment going w/ triple 400's on a 34' Nor-Tech. I'm also not a "All Show No Go" guy so cowls that have $)) plastered all over them does nothing for me. The 350 & 400 are the same engine just a different ECU tune. I recommend the 350's and get them turned up if you want the power of 400's. You'll void your warranty but have $15k in the bank.

Yes I was lucky, my boat was painted and out on the floor being rigged when I attended the 2015 MBS to learn of the new Merc Verado offerings. It was spec'd to have triple 300's but EVERYONE insisted I upgrade to the 350's to maintain resale value. It was great advice and paid dividends as I believe my 2015 NT 340 was the first on the resale market w/ triple 350's thus no others to compete with.

How fast is a twin 350 34 NT? For the sake of simplicity (twins vs. trips) and weight the twin should be a decent alternative.

I can't answer that w/ any sort of confidence but I believe it's in the 68-70mph range.
I notice that Randy Kent often orders NT34's in a twin configuration but thats bc his market is LOTO.

My original spec when ordering my 1st Nor-Tech was twins. What one has to get their head around going this route is resale. The market interested in a twin 34' Ctr Console is going to be limited. Other than twin engined 7 Marine Nor-Tech 340's or 390's I rarely see twins anywhere coastal. Most Nor-Techs will be found in coastal areas. Tenders could be another market for a twin NT 340 but typically anyone buying a tender is buying new so again limiting resale opportunities.

One of the reasons I let my perfectly good NT 340 w/ Triple 350's go recently was the rumor / fear of Merc Introducing a Verado 500. If Merc offers something that large I think the used triple engine NT 340 resale market will take a hit w/ many stretching to afford a new high H.P. twin 340.

Just a hunch.

I definitely wouldn't tune the 350 and void warranty!!
And my question of timing is exactly because of the rumor mill of potential 500s being released. I think a trip 500 39 would be ideal! In fact would even lead me to hesitate starting my build too soon because of it.

Are the 39's with trip 400s experiencing the same lift from the hardtop when in 80mph range as well? Assuming a quad 400 boat definitely feels the effects of lift if they are in the 90mph range. Also, I would likely go with standard hardtop version but, is there anyone with the extended top who's complained of tincreased kite phenom?

To each their own as we all value certain options, performance and our investment differently.
I've yet to hear anyone claim a quad 39 capable of 90mph. My guess is more like 85mph.

I would say the length, weight & CG of the 39 overcome the lift.
1050 h.p. behind a 34' boat trimmed up so that's allot of leverage coupled w/ the air trapped under the top in front of the windshield.
IMO 1200 h.p. or 150 h.p. more behind a 39' boat that weighs more doesn't have the ability to get the same lift.
I also don't believe the large top affects or contributes to the lift, it's the air that is stacked up under the top at the windscreen that causes the lift. The shape is the same regardless of whether you opt for standard or large top.

The large top is beneficial if you opt for 2nd row seating on a 39. Better wind / weather protection for more passengers.
We had 4 on board returning from the Bahamas in 4-5 footers w/ rain and whoever sat on the cooler behind the helm got drenched w/ the rain that rolls off the backside of the standard top.

Yes, we all know about the impressive 100mph NT CC record but lets face it no Nor-Tech Center Console comes w/ jack plates nor are they even listed as an option. They also don't come with or recommend 5 blade props either. Just the ones I mentioned previously. I'd sincerely like to hear from the owner of a stock production quad 400 NT-390 owner to see what speeds they see in real boating conditions. Hey, I may have under estimated the top speed of quad 400's but I still don't think it's 90mph. Maybe 88mmph since they typically only gain 5-6mph adding an engine and Trond states the boat they are running tops out at 82. Splitting hairs at this point.

Sobo ran mine with 300s, new, very little gas and 2 people in the boat to 66. With a few hundred gallons of fuel and 2 or 4 people at 660 ft above sea level at LOTO it runs 60. Terry told me the 350s would add 5mph. I will let you know later in May what the twin 400s will do. Merc has them scheduled for May 14 delivery. And maybe later tune them to 450s.

I agree with Nascat that twins likely restrict your resale market. I would never do twins if I was running offshore, just because I would want 2 engines left to get home if something happened to one. That's not an issue on LOTO where you are never more than a few miles from some marina.

There's no "maybe" to tuning them to 450's later. Done deal! :boat:

By the time the 2 year warranty is up the new platform will be out. It will be decision time again.:drool1:

It sucks to have to make these life altering decisions every 2 years, what a quandary! LOL:)

Most of S Florida boating on the ICW is speed restricted so one motor running would get the job done! If the boat was being used as a tender twins would be fine. Saving fuel in places like the Bahamas can be more valuable than 10 mph more speed. 3 vs 2 is a valid argument in the event of a motor failure but if it is fuel quality related all three will fail and if it is a damaged lower unit the chance of just whacking one motor (of the 3) is a longshot too! :D

Spoke to one of the guys from the dealer who drives these boats all day long. He said the quad boat is a novelty and would not recommend it. Also said the performance, handling and ride of the 39 changes drastically (inferiorly) with quad 400s and says the absolute best package is trip 400s, unless it's a 392 fully rigged*. He did go on to say that quad 400's will get you to around 90 and the 39 can definitely take it and actually maintains great stability but, those opportunities in the ocean/icw are few and far between that the compromised handling 99% of the remaining time is not worth it.

So, I think i'm going to go trial a 39 with trip 400s at some point in the near future. Between 34 trip 350 vs 39 trip 400s at this point. If merc does come out with 500's I'm sure many many people will want to upgrade their current 300 Verado boats with 400's, allowing for a similar move from 400--> 500 on the 39. That would be a sweet set up.
Who knows, I may share the same sentiment as Erik1976 and not really enjoy the larger 39 and opt for the 34. Thanks for all the advice.