Meridian 341 for Sale, a Buyer's Guide to Both 341 Sedan Generations

Meridian 341 for sale listings cover two different boats

Anyone browsing Meridian 341 for sale listings should know there are two boats behind the badge. Meridian was a new name in the marine industry for 2003, and the first 341 Sedan was its entry-level model: 35 ft 3 in overall, 11 ft 8 in beam, about 17,000 lb, 224 gallons of fuel and a base price of $184,295 with twin 260 hp 5.7 liter MerCruiser gas inboards, according to a Boating World review reproduced in Meridian's brochure. Engines up to twin 320 hp were offered.

For 2005 Meridian replaced it with what Power & Motoryacht called the All-New 341 Sedan Bridge, with the same name but a different layout and a bigger hull. The newer boat is 35 ft 10 in long with a 12 ft 6 in beam and 250 gallons of fuel, and it stayed in the range until at least the 2009 lineup. Most boats now on the market are the 2005 and later version, which is the one this page's specs describe.

Docking On Command, the feature that sells the 341

Meridian built the 341's reputation around docking. The 2005 boat came standard with D.O.C., Docking On Command, a dual-thruster system with Sidepower bow and stern thrusters controlled by a small boat-shaped joystick on the dash. Push it in the direction you want the boat to go and both thrusters work together; point the bow and only the bow thruster fires.

PMY's Capt. Bill Pike tested it in LaConner, Washington, walking the boat sideways off a tight fairway dock using thrusters alone, then backing in again. He found the thrusters powerful and deep enough not to ventilate, and noted that with 2.8:1 gears and large-diameter props the boat could be docked on the clutches alone, almost without throttle. His conclusion was that the 341 makes everything easy, especially for a skipper nervous about moving up to a midrange cruiser. That remains its best selling point today.

Saloon aft, split galley and a forward master

The 2005 and later 341 places a stretch-out saloon aft, opening to the cockpit through a sliding glass door, and splits the galley on either side of the companionway leading below. Forward is a beamy master with an island berth; amidships is a large guest cabin with a double berth and access to extra bilge storage; and a port-side head with a separate stall shower serves both. Joinery is cherry, galley counters are Karadon solid surface, and the head uses a VacuFlush system.

Meridian's 2009 specifications list sleeping for four, or six with optional convertible seating, 6 ft 5 in cabin headroom and an entertainment center with a 20-inch LCD television, AM/FM/CD/DVD audio and saloon and bridge speakers. Opening saloon windows and 360-degree visibility from the saloon are part of the appeal on a boat this size.

An extended bridge for seven and a molded staircase

Up top, Meridian extended the flybridge over the cockpit to seat seven on an L-lounge, with an adjustable captain's chair, a fiberglass radar arch, a venturi windshield and a bimini. The overhang shades the cockpit below. Access is by a molded staircase rather than a ladder, which Meridian advertised as a relaxed staircase to the bridge and which matters to older owners and guests.

The cockpit is self-bailing, with a transom door to the molded swim platform, transom storage, a hot and cold rain shower and hatches to the lazarette. The test boat had no lower helm, and PMY's driver enjoyed superb visibility from the bridge.

Gas V8s, an optional diesel and 30 mph on test

Standard power on the 2005 boat was twin 320 hp MerCruiser MX 6.2 MPI Horizon gasoline inboards through Velvet Drive gears at 2.8:1, swinging 22 by 22 inch four-blade nibral props. PMY lists twin 250 hp Cummins MerCruiser 4B diesels as the alternative. Meridian's 2009 sheet still lists the 320 hp 6.2 liter Mercury Horizon gas engines with DTS electronic controls, SmartCraft instrumentation and freshwater cooling.

On test in Skagit Bay in 2 ft seas, the gas boat reached 30.3 mph, about 26.3 knots, with smooth acceleration, no soft spots and good cornering. PMY did not publish a full speed and fuel table, so we have not filled in cruise speed or fuel burn. Expect gas boats to be thirstier and to need careful exhaust manifold and riser maintenance; diesel boats are rarer and command a premium.

Construction and systems detail

PMY reported a hull-to-deck joint secured with Bostik urethane adhesive and stainless bolts, a vinylester barrier coat and a limited ten-year warranty on hull and deck. Engine room access is through hatches in the saloon sole and lazarette access through cockpit hatches. The test boat carried six batteries managed by a BEP smart-charging system that isolates the engine-start batteries from house loads as long as voltage stays above 12.8 volts.

Later boats added underwater exhaust, Northstar electronics, a consolidated through-hull management system, PSS dripless shaft seals and Mercury's Total Command integrated vessel control. Common options were a 7.3 kW Kohler generator, 30,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning and a Raymarine package.

• LOA 35 ft 10 in, beam 12 ft 6 in, draft 3 ft 4 in
• Bridge clearance 13 ft 6 in
• Fuel 250 gal, water 90 gal, holding 35 gal
• Dry weight 18,254 lb, cabin headroom 6 ft 5 in

Buying a used 341 Sedan

U.S. asking prices recently ranged from about $109,000 for 2005 boats to around $150,000 for 2007 and 2008 boats, with Canadian listings priced higher in local currency. Our estimated range for 2003 to 2009 boats is $95,000 to $165,000. Original 2003 and 2004 boats tend to sit at the bottom because of the smaller hull.

Running costs are moderate: $12,000 to $26,000 a year for a 38 to 40 ft slip, insurance, haul-out and bottom paint, twin-engine service, thruster maintenance and canvas. The thrusters are the item to test hardest on a sea trial, because they are the reason most buyers choose this boat.