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Anyone vetted this boat yet? https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing

The big downside is no heat exchangers from Mercruiser as i understand it - need to purchase after market option which isn't ideal.

mmozer wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:03 am Anyone vetted this boat yet? https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing

The big downside is no heat exchangers from Mercruiser as i understand it - need to purchase after market option which isn't ideal.

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Hey, at least it has captain's call mm.

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket towers added to the 343. Totally destroys the beautiful lines imho.

What I really like is his FAB Dock dry docking setup.


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AsLan7 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:12 am

mmozer wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:03 am Anyone vetted this boat yet? https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing

The big downside is no heat exchangers from Mercruiser as i understand it - need to purchase after market option which isn't ideal.

.
Hey, at least it has captain's call mm.

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket towers added to the 343. Totally destroys the beautiful lines imho.

What I really like is his FAB Dock dry docking setup.


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Didn't Holy Smokes say the tower is removable?

Yes, it has all the checkboxes for me except a closed cooling system - which is a big downside at the moment.

Anyone have experience dealing with that here?

tgrace98 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:19 am

AsLan7 wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:12 am

mmozer wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:03 am Anyone vetted this boat yet? https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing

The big downside is no heat exchangers from Mercruiser as i understand it - need to purchase after market option which isn't ideal.

.
Hey, at least it has captain's call mm.

I'm not a big fan of aftermarket towers added to the 343. Totally destroys the beautiful lines imho.

What I really like is his FAB Dock dry docking setup.


.

Didn't Holy Smokes say the tower is removable?

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Ha, don't even go there tg98. Don't want to dig up this thread again.

mmozer wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:26 am Yes, it has all the checkboxes for me except a closed cooling system - which is a big downside at the moment.

Anyone have experience dealing with that here?

Why is it important to you? I thought that feature was more of a salt water need

ajcampen wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 11:06 am

mmozer wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 10:26 am Yes, it has all the checkboxes for me except a closed cooling system - which is a big downside at the moment.

Anyone have experience dealing with that here?

Why is it important to you? I thought that feature was more of a salt water need

Correct - I would like to take this boat into brackish water around new orleans.

If you're home port is fresh water, wouldn't the ride home basically flush the system anyway? If you boated in strctly salt water I get it, but if you're running back into fresh water every time I would think open cooling would be fine.

akorcovelos wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 11:19 am If you're home port is fresh water, wouldn't the ride home basically flush the system anyway? If you boated in strctly salt water I get it, but if you're running back into fresh water every time I would think open cooling would be fine.

I'm going to be in Lake Pontchatrain and Lake Bourne - both have access to the gulf. I'd for certain want to put in a closed cooling system and not take any chances with water of any salinity being circulated throughout the engine.

If you know of anyone who's been through this or has a recommendation, i'd like to hear it.

As AK stated unless your loading and unloading in salt I wouldn’t worry. You can add a flush kit when you get back with strainers y piped and be done in 5 minutes.
It’s the CMI exhaust that will suffer either way . Have them pressure checked before you take delivery.

Nice 343. You’ll appreciate the windlass!

cmattj wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 2:37 pm As AK stated unless your loading and unloading in salt I wouldn’t worry. You can add a flush kit when you get back with strainers y piped and be done in 5 minutes.
It’s the CMI exhaust that will suffer either way . Have them pressure checked before you take delivery.

Nice 343. You’ll appreciate the windlass!

What's the downside of a closed cooling system? I have found a guy who'll do it for 2K per engine. That's piece of mind isn't it? Just get it done and not worry about it.

No real down side, just not worth it in a mostly fresh water boat.

Turns out there are no maintenance records available for this boat. Not to mention it's about to hit 200 hour mark - new valve springs and head job possibility... I'm going to pass on it.

mmozer wrote: Fri Apr 12, 2019 12:52 pm Turns out there are no maintenance records available for this boat. Not to mention it's about to hit 200 hour mark - new valve springs and head job possibility... I'm going to pass on it.

200hrs is low for top ends unless she spent her life banging the rev limiter. 350 hrs is the usual norm. But a good shop with merc knowledge in the blue motors can check leak down, Compression, and spring pressure.

Bravo XR drives so they have some cone clutch life left. 500 hrs is average unless it’s poorly maintained etc.
You’ll find the right one that pushes you to the “ time to get her checked “ mode.

I have found that most used boat owners don't have records. I've bought 2 so far from original owners no records. But I looked at the plugs brand new. Oil, filters new. The rest you just do. If your buying blue get to a good shop like Matt said or just buy it run it then get it done. Scan the ecu first before throwing the towel in. $150 for a program for yourself and your set. If your wanting to play with the big power your going to pay no matter what. Other wise buy one with a 240hp. Matt has a spare engine cover for it