43 Delivered Today

Chris R said:
+1 John. This "skill" statement always makes me laugh.
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You must have a bow thruster, or calm conditions. Although technology has been making things easier for years, the zeus/axius really does make a huge difference. My boat has a clear view of the Gulf just over the top of a 4' high barrier island 1/2 mile away. Other than that, we have a breakwater about deck high in front of our boat. What this means is that we are exposed to wind on a regular basis, and waves if the wind is from the SE.

I can't lay my rub rail against the pilings because I have floating finger docks on either side that protrude into my slip about 1 1/2' beyond the pilings, so, I have to back in with about 1 1/2' clearance on either side before the dock damages the hull. A bow thruster would go a long way, but I have learned an awful lot in the past 3 years.

I think that's Gary's point. That, and what do you do when 1 engine or the technology fails?

Not to diss your compliment, just a little reality mixed in.
 
I don't have a bow thruster or joystick controls. I like my old school technology, and rarely touch docks/pilings when docking.
 
Hampton said:
Cons about the 43:

It is very square inside the salon and inside the cockpit to include the helm. Almost 0 styling. The salon has a huge amount of wasted space in the middle. Due to the depth of the salon and the placement of the stairs, you feel like you're really in a cave - can't see in or out. The aft cabin is really secluded at the cost of a bigger feeling salon. This doesn't work for us - we'll cruise as a couple.

Bottom line - everything is square. We like the rounded features of the 420 and 44.

For me, they are squeezing about 470HP out of about 370ci - a formula for disaster.

Pros:

Really nice styling outside.
Completely enclosed cockpit with 6 electric openings.
Zeus efficiency, if it works.
Rear cockpit styling and sun pad/swim platform, locker.
I like the forward berth.
I like the heads - all of them.
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John,

This was very similar to our feelings about the 47DB. Sue took one look at the 12 steps down to an owner's suite with no windows and compared it to a basement with the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship - an inside cabin. The salon/galley was beautiful, but the V-drive Cummins engine room was very tight. So I realize our next larger boat will be a Sundancer. Than I look at what we have on our 340, and realize that all a larger Sundancer gets us is a shower that is separate from the head and doors to the forward stateroom. As we are on an inland lake - with no diesel fuel - I've realized that our larger SD will have to wait for my retirement - our gasser 340 is perfect for us now.

One of my internet acquaintances has just bought a 580 SSS - now that's a Sundancer!!! I need the waverunner "garage".

I'm also curious as to how the high RPM Cummins diesels do in the long run as compared to the more traditional low RPM CATs.

I've read great reviews on the Volvo IPS (like on the Regal 44 - what a boat!), but they cruise at 3000 RPM. The Cummins on the 47 DB ran 75% load at 2600 RPM...
 
SR400DB said:
I don't have a bow thruster or joystick controls. I like my old school technology, and rarely touch docks/pilings when docking.
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Therefore, sir, I suspect you may possess some skill.
 
Congrats!, nice boat. I believe you will get much bang for the buck, water-front is nice but... with that kind of boat you can go to where they are! Enjoy.
 
carterchapman said:
John,

This was very similar to our feelings about the 47DB. Sue took one look at the 12 steps down to an owner's suite with no windows and compared it to a basement with the cheapest cabin on a cruise ship - an inside cabin. The salon/galley was beautiful, but the V-drive Cummins engine room was very tight. So I realize our next larger boat will be a Sundancer. Than I look at what we have on our 340, and realize that all a larger Sundancer gets us is a shower that is separate from the head and doors to the forward stateroom. As we are on an inland lake - with no diesel fuel - I've realized that our larger SD will have to wait for my retirement - our gasser 340 is perfect for us now.

One of my internet acquaintances has just bought a 580 SSS - now that's a Sundancer!!! I need the waverunner "garage".

I'm also curious as to how the high RPM Cummins diesels do in the long run as compared to the more traditional low RPM CATs.

I've read great reviews on the Volvo IPS (like on the Regal 44 - what a boat!), but they cruise at 3000 RPM. The Cummins on the 47 DB ran 75% load at 2600 RPM...
Click to expand...

You and I are on the same sheet of music. We still love our 340 for all of the reasons you list. The high RPMs on these newer boats are most likely due to a couple of pod issues: 1 - they had not developed the pods to the bigger engines until recently, if they have now at all. 2 - I think they are trying to put an exclamation mark on the efficiency of these pods. How do you do that? Put small, light, over-boosted engines on them and pray they last for a couple of good marketing years. That also helps keep initial marketing prices lower than they would have been for these specialty boats.
 
JV II said:
I'm going to patent a powered antenna mount that can adjust the angle from the helm. When there is a need to look cool and fast, just recline that puppy. When you need to use the VHF, straight up she goes. Need to clear a low bridge, back down she goes. Gary in port, hit the switch and send her perpendicular to the Earth.
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:smt038 THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC! We have lots of draw bridges in the delta...
 
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye1tG6K9e1c[/YOUTUBE]
 
Crap....one more thing to buy?
 
Hey John...When I saw the 43 at the Palm Beach Show last year I wanted to take her out on a date before I asked her to the prom. She was looking realy foxy on our first date and she was a good kisser too.:thumbsup:

But then I got introduced to her sister Kim...a 48 DA...it was over for me and the 43 ...sort of like Kim Kardashian vs. Jenifer Love Hewitt....you just know.

Look at the 48DA...you'll know what I mean and now they call the 43 the 47 and I think the 48 is the 50 or some such nonsense.:huh:

I came to my senses...sort of like going to "Sammy's" with a roll of money and walking out with nothing.

BTW..that beach house is one of the "Last of the Breed". With the new code those pilings will be concrete and 300' behind the mean high water mark.

Have Fun.

John F.
 
The 48's too big for us for the foreseeable future. Nice boat, though.
 
Hampton said:
You must have a bow thruster, or calm conditions. Although technology has been making things easier for years, the zeus/axius really does make a huge difference. My boat has a clear view of the Gulf just over the top of a 4' high barrier island 1/2 mile away. Other than that, we have a breakwater about deck high in front of our boat. What this means is that we are exposed to wind on a regular basis, and waves if the wind is from the SE.

I can't lay my rub rail against the pilings because I have floating finger docks on either side that protrude into my slip about 1 1/2' beyond the pilings, so, I have to back in with about 1 1/2' clearance on either side before the dock damages the hull. A bow thruster would go a long way, but I have learned an awful lot in the past 3 years.

I think that's Gary's point. That, and what do you do when 1 engine or the technology fails?

Not to diss your compliment, just a little reality mixed in.
Click to expand...

No bow thruster here. And, I also have to back into a dual finger slip with about 10-12 inches on each side- and a trawler parked on a private dock straight in front of me 40 feet out. Backed in once with an engine out too- that was ugly. All I'm saying is if the technology is there, why not take advantage of it? I'm all about mastering boating skills, but if the boat has "aids, why not enjoy it? There have been many times I wish I had something to assist me in a wind/current/tight docking situation- I managed to overcome it- but it sure would be a nice insurance policy to take advantage of an aid if it's there.
 
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I am still trying to figure out how the paper goes from my fax machine to the receipiemts fax machine through such a small wire.........I would love to have my kids dock the boat while I drink....Just kidding men......I believe in KISS (keep it simple stupid)
 
Hampton said:
The 48's too big for us for the foreseeable future. Nice boat, though.
Click to expand...

PM me with your E-Mail. I took a bunch of pics of that 43 that you might want to see. If I recall the MSRP on it was $1.1M and it was $785K at the show. I love the lay out...perfect for 2: couples for a few days. Let me know if you get serious...I like your 340.
 
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