The first True North 34 Outboard Express under the ownership of Catalina Yachts just made its debut at the Miami boat show, and it had a new hydraulic Porta Bracket to lift its 300-hp outboards up vertically on the transom. The idea is to let captains adjust the outboards for running in shallow water, and to lift the lower units completely out of the water when they’re not running, to help eliminate growth and corrosion.
Catalina bought True North from US Watercraft in Rhode Island more than a year ago and moved the molds for the 34 and a 38 to its plant in Largo, Florida. True North was founded in 2001 with a 38, a popular cruiser that was a modern version of a traditional Down East lobster boat with an innovative clamshell transom that opened wide to allow level access to the water from the cockpit. It was billed as the SUV of the water, since you could launch a dink or a small sailboat from the cockpit.
A 33-foot model followed, which grew into a 34. I tested the first True North 34 outboard boat at the Miami show five years ago. It had twin 250-hp Evinrudes and an Optimus joystick that let me turn the boat in any direction. It topped out at about 37 knots. It was both good-looking and fun to drive; I wanted to spend the rest of the day heading either for Bimini or Key West.
A versatile boat, the True North 34 can serve as a weekend (or longer) couple’s cruising boat, a fishing boat, a diving boat, or an all-around utility boat. Its sharp plumb bow is built to slice through the waves, and the hull’s balanced displacement and flatter sections aft are meant to provide a solid ride in all weather conditions.
With its standard 250-hp Yamaha power, the 34 has the efficiency, maneuverability and shallow draft that outboards provide. The boat also is a comfortable cruiser with an open plan. The galley is up, on the starboard side, opposite a large L-shaped settee on the bridge deck with a teak table on a stainless pedestal. The helm seat to starboard holds one person, while the navigator’s seat to port can be flipped to face forward, when underway, or aft to become part of the social area around the table.
Below, the 34 has a traditional V-berth arrangement, storage and an enclosed head with shower. Base price is $349,000.
Specs.: LOA: 34’9”; Beam: 12’4”; Draft, engines up: 2’0”; Draft, engines down: 2’9”; Disp.: 11,250 lbs.; Fuel: 300 gals.; Water: 85 gals.; Power: 2×250-hp Yamaha outboards.
