The Maverick Boat Co. has expanded its Cobia center-console lineup with a new flagship: the 344CC. Designed to serve both anglers and families, the 344CC blends a fishing-focused layout with comfortable accommodations, ample storage and a robust hardtop. With a wide array of standard features and dealer-fit options that let owners rig the boat for tournament fishing, the 344CC positions itself as a versatile, high-value 34-foot center-console.
Charlie Johnson, marketing director for Maverick Boat Co. — the Florida builder behind the Pathfinder, Maverick, Hewes and Cobia brands — calls the 344CC “a screamin’ deal,” noting strong value for the equipment and performance the boat delivers. The 344CC is offered with two primary power packages: twin Yamaha F350 outboards at a base retail price of $219,299, or a triple F300 configuration priced at $250,294. These factory power options allow owners to choose a balance between fuel efficiency, redundancy and outright speed.
Hull and ride: The 344CC rides on a double-stepped deep-vee hull with high freeboard and a transom deadrise of 21.6 degrees. The stepped hull design helps the boat get on plane quickly and improves handling through chop, while the high freeboard adds comfort and security for anglers working the deck or families enjoying an outing. In sea trials the test boat—equipped with triple Yamaha F300s—handled 2- to 3-foot chop comfortably and remained steady with multiple passengers aboard. The manufacturer lists a top speed of 68 mph and a cruise speed of 40 mph; in practical testing the boat demonstrated usable redundancy, getting on plane and maintaining good speed with just two engines in operation.
Layout and accommodations: The 344CC’s deck plan emphasizes both functionality for fishing and comfort for cruising. The bow features U-shaped seating with dry storage underneath, and a powered table that lowers electrically to become flush with the deck when not in use. Forward console seating includes an optional integrated cooler (marketed as the “Exhibition Cooler”), and the forward console houses a compact head and a two-person berth that extends forward—useful for overnight trips or a comfortable place to rest between runs. Under the berth is racked rod storage, keeping gear organized and protected.
On deck the boat provides practical solutions for anglers: twin live wells in the stern console, a tuna/dive door on the starboard side, and a flip-down transom bench that seats three adults. That bench stows quickly and folds flush with the forward side of the stern console, opening up the cockpit for fishing when needed. A substantial hardtop shields the helm and companion seating from sun and weather while leaving the cockpit open for working fish and handling gear.
Performance and fuel economy: During testing with three F300s, the 344CC produced respectable economy for a large center console, averaging roughly 1 mile per gallon when running between about 35 and 45 mph. With about 900 total horsepower in the triple-F300 test setup, the boat accelerated well and maintained composure in moderate chop. The test also demonstrated redundancy: the boat could get up on plane with several two-engine combinations and still push to a useful top speed—an important safety factor for offshore anglers.
Options and notable equipment: Cobia offers numerous factory and dealer options to tailor the 344CC to specific needs. Notable options called out on the test boat included a live-well pump box ($2,142), a full hardtop ($12,142), outriggers ($2,847) for tournament-style fishing, and the forward “Exhibition Cooler” ($1,275). Those choices allow buyers to prioritize storage, tournament readiness or comfort depending on how they plan to use the boat.
The 344CC’s combination of practical fishing features, family-friendly amenities and scalable power options make it a compelling choice in the 34-foot center-console segment. Whether used as a weekend family boat or outfitted as a tournament platform, the 344CC delivers a balance of performance, storage and onboard comfort.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 34 feet, 4 inches
BEAM: 11 feet, 2 inches
HULL DISPLACEMENT: 8,600 pounds (dry)
HULL TYPE: double-stepped deep-vee
DRAFT: 24 inches
POWER: twin Yamaha F350s or triple Yamaha F300s
TRANSOM DEADRISE: 21.6 degrees
SPEED: manufacturer lists up to 68 mph top, 40 mph cruise; test results vary by power and load
TANKAGE: 320 gallons fuel, 25 gallons water, 6 gallons waste
PRICE: $219,299 (twin Yamaha F350s), $250,294 (triple Yamaha F300s)
CONTACT: Cobia Boats, Fort Pierce, Florida
PHONE: (772) 465-0631
Website: www.cobiaboats.com
October 2014 issue