343 Cobalt Outboard Open Bow Conversion
06-07-2023, 07:24 PM
#11
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looks great just curios what is the material you are using for the interior ( all the white ) also how much are you reinforcing the transom, knee braces, extra thickness to transom bracket? I would love to convert a 282 to twin outboards instead of buying a new outboard version at 300K Plus?
06-08-2023, 08:53 AM
#12
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Thread Starter
looks great just curios what is the material you are using for the interior ( all the white ) also how much are you reinforcing the transom, knee braces, extra thickness to transom bracket? I would love to convert a 282 to twin outboards instead of buying a new outboard version at 300K Plus?
The new floor is made from Nidaplast Panels, very similar if not the same product as the factory floor and hatches.
https://www.boatbuildercentral.com/p...SABEgKdsfD_BwE
The transom required a lot of reinforcement, Now the transom is twice as thick as the factory I/O transom, I have built 5 knees and tied the bulkhead in front of the inboard motors to the transom by building 4 new stringers. These stringers also carry the load of the new floor. I will see if I have any pictures.
The following 2 users liked this post by Maritime_Eng:
larslindroth (11-28-2023), rak rua (06-08-2023)
06-08-2023, 04:49 PM
#13
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The new floor is made from Nidaplast Panels, very similar if not the same product as the factory floor and hatches.
https://www.boatbuildercentral.com/p...SABEgKdsfD_BwE
The transom required a lot of reinforcement, Now the transom is twice as thick as the factory I/O transom, I have built 5 knees and tied the bulkhead in front of the inboard motors to the transom by building 4 new stringers. These stringers also carry the load of the new floor. I will see if I have any pictures.
https://www.boatbuildercentral.com/p...SABEgKdsfD_BwE
The transom required a lot of reinforcement, Now the transom is twice as thick as the factory I/O transom, I have built 5 knees and tied the bulkhead in front of the inboard motors to the transom by building 4 new stringers. These stringers also carry the load of the new floor. I will see if I have any pictures.
06-09-2023, 08:53 AM
#14
Registered
Following this amazing build.... With the more recent move to OB's, I always thought the 343 would be a great candidate.
Took a factory tour at Cobalt a few years ago. Hinted to the folks there about an OB 343 and they just smiled, winked and said the molds are still out back. Lots of engineering & testing went into that single-step hull before they released it. The I/O's are a very predictable ride and solidly attach to the water.
Took a factory tour at Cobalt a few years ago. Hinted to the folks there about an OB 343 and they just smiled, winked and said the molds are still out back. Lots of engineering & testing went into that single-step hull before they released it. The I/O's are a very predictable ride and solidly attach to the water.
The following 2 users liked this post by Holy Smokes:
larslindroth (11-28-2023), Twin O/B Sonic (10-06-2023)
09-27-2023, 11:11 AM
#16
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Thread Starter
I took the summer off from this project as this summer here in Florida was HOT! But, we are back at it. Modified the Stainless Steel support for the original cobalt top and I had this fiberglass hardtop made. I pick it up Saturday. I should be able to mount it next week.
The following 4 users liked this post by Maritime_Eng:
bulletbob (09-28-2023), larslindroth (11-28-2023), RSCHAP1 (09-27-2023), Twin O/B Sonic (10-06-2023)
The following 5 users liked this post by Maritime_Eng:
arks (09-27-2023), bulletbob (09-28-2023), larslindroth (11-28-2023), rak rua (09-27-2023), Twin O/B Sonic (10-06-2023)
The following users liked this post:
Twin O/B Sonic (10-06-2023)
10-02-2023, 07:21 AM
#19
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Thread Starter
Picked up the Hardtop Saturday, here is the mockup on the boat. Needs the mounts welded to the frame and the holes drilled but I am happy the way it is turning out.
The following 5 users liked this post by Maritime_Eng:
87MirageIntruder (10-06-2023), larslindroth (11-28-2023), pasquesi (10-02-2023), rak rua (10-02-2023), Twin O/B Sonic (10-06-2023)
10-02-2023, 07:50 AM
#20
Gold Member
Gold Member
Love the hardtop, it’s not full of wiring for 30 different colors of LCD lights, speakers, amps and sub-woofers.
Project is looking good.
RR
Project is looking good.
RR
The following 2 users liked this post by rak rua:
larslindroth (11-28-2023), Twin O/B Sonic (10-06-2023)
