Meridian Yachts Hits Its Mark With The 341

By Capt. Chris Kelly

After testing the 341 on New York City's Hudson River, Surfside 3 (a long-time Sea Ray and now Meridian dealer) asked if I would deliver the 341 to their store in Norwalk, CT--a run of about 40 miles. This gave me ample opportunity to really put this sedan through her paces, particularly through the very rough water of Hell Gate on the East River, and out in Long Island Sound.


What I discovered was that the 341 has one of the softest running, driest hulls I've ever tested. I tried to throw spray up on the flyingbridge windshield by running through three-foot oncoming waves and wind with the trim tabs and bow fully down, and I couldn't do it. When you look at the bow area, there's no pronouced flare like you'd see on a Carolina fishing machine to disperse the water, so I can't tell you where the water went, I can just tell you it didn't come up on deck or up to the flying bridge.


The first thing you notice is the lack of a transom trunk to hold fenders and docklines. Rather, its a straight fiberglass transom. That stowage is handled in the cockpit within two lazarrettes which also provide great access to the rudder posts and the stern thuster, part of the D.O.C Dock On Command System. There is no dedicated storage for docklines and fenders down here, so a few milkcrates will get the job done. The cockpit itself (with snap out carpet) has ample room for a few director's chairs and small cocktail table.


Flying Bridge

There's an easy-to-climb molded-in stairway leading up to the bridge. This doubles as a hatch to the engine room. Here, you'll find a single pedestal seat for the helmsman just a bit to starboard, across from a U-shaped lounge to port that can seat 5 adults. The bridge deck also has an extension that covers part of the cockpit below, which protects crew from rain in the event they want to move from the saloon up to the flying bridge. Visibility from the helm is good all around, and while the helm chair did not have a flip-up bolster or tilt wheel (both of which would help in stand-up driving situations) the chair does slide aft quite a bit and swivels. Its an easy reach to the electronics pod to port, and though the dual-lever clutch and throttles are mounted together on starboard (a somewhat confusing arrangement), Meridian says it plans to separate the controls in future models.

Docking Made Easy

Against that, however, is the revolutionary D.O.C Dock On Command system. Here you have both a stern and bow thruster operated by a single knob. Twist it one way, the boat instantly pivots that way. Or slide it sideways, and so does the boat (see video for this demonstration)! While my first captain's impression was "Ah, I don't need those training wheels", once I tried it I loved it! Why work harder? Sure you can throttle jockey all you want in high-current and wind docking situations, but why bother when you've got the DOC system? Just move the lever, and slide the boat right alongside the dock!


Below Deck

Moving down to the saloon, former express cruiser owners will welcome the light they get from being higher up in the hull than they were in their old boats. You get nearly 360 degrees of tinted windows here, and the saloon and galley are on the same level for easy conversation. While there is no dedicated dining area, there is a movable dining table.


Down and forward, you get a full-size owner's stateroom with centerline queensized berth and three stowage drawers plus two small closets. The guest cabin--located partially under the saloon--has 6'4" standing headroom and you don't have to be a contorsionist to get into the nice sunken double berth here. A single head/shower combo--with dual access doors--rounds out the picture below.


It's clear that Meridian has hit its mark with the 341, and while she's no speed demon at around 30-mph at wide open throttle, she does get you up and out of the hole--both in the cabin and on the flying bridge--for a more commanding view of the world and a real yacht feel.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions