True North 34 OE (2023-)

Brief Summary

One look at the True North 34 Outboard Express and it’s not too much of a stretch to see the DNA of a vessel with a tough, stable, and reliable heritage like that found on Downeast lobster boats. With lines inspired by commercial fishing boats and oversized windows all around, she is a mix of function and classic style. And once aboard, what awaits her owners is a comfortable interior on a boat with cruising opportunities limited only by a sense of adventure.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	39' 11.89 m
Beam	12' 2" 3.71 m
Dry Weight	14,000 lbs. 6,350 kg
Tested Weight	16,705 lbs. 7,577 kg
Draft	2' 10" .86 m
Draft Up	2' 0.61 m
Draft Down	2' 10" 0.86 m
Deadrise/Transom	18 deg
Bridge Clearance	11' 3.35 m
Fuel Capacity	250 gal 946.35 L
Water Capacity	75 gal 283.91 L
Total Weight	16,705 lbs. 7,577 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	4.5 seconds
0 to 30	14.6 seconds
Props	16x17x3
Load	3 persons; 250 gal. fuel; 50 lb gear
Climate	85 deg., 72 humid; wind: 5-10 mph, seas:<1

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 300-hp Suzuki
Std. Power	2 x 300-hp Suzuki
Opt. Power	2 x 350-hp Suzuki

Captain's Report

True North 34 Outboard Express

Mission

The True North 34 Outboard Express is engineered and built for ease of operation. She has the kind of accommodations and amenities for a couple wishing to not only day trip and explore coastal waters but also to take extended times away from their home port as well. She’s ideal for a future Great Loop trip.

She is not a speedster. She's intended for economical operation, both when entertaining friends close to home and when taking a long cruise.  Time is not of the essence, because her owners have time and want comfort and yachting adventure.

Standard Major Features

• Twin 300-hp outboard power
• Bow thruster
• 26k BTU A/C – 2 Zones
• Anchor windlass
• Garmin MFD
• Fold-up transom seat
• Salon settee converts to berth
• Multi-zone Fusion stereo system
• Large opening center forward and side windows
• Porta hydraulic transom bracket

Outboard Power

As improvements in technology, design, performance and engineering have resulted in higher horsepower engines, and combined with the latest joystick offerings, outboard power has seen a radical uptick in single and multi-rigged configurations on boats from small center consoles up to 65+ footers.

True North has designed and engineered the 34 Outboard Express to provide safe and efficient performance in a variety of sea conditions. To that end, she comes equipped with a pair of V6, 300-hp, 4L Suzuki outboards turning 16-inch stainless props.

The 350-hp Suzuki 4.4 L V8 engine with dual props is also offered as well. This is a more expensive option, but in our opinion is one of the best 350s on the market because it has twin injectors, a 2.29:1 gear ratio and dual props. It probably delivers more torque to the water than any 350 gas engine on the market.

The twin Suzuki 300s we tested was a good choice because its gear ratio is 2.01:1, whereas all of the other 300 gas outboards have a gear ratio of 1.75:1, which evens up the torque output compared to V8, and she runs economically.  The trade-off is top-end speed.  

For the model year 2024, there will be Mercury and Oxe diesel choices. The plus of having outboard power over inboard gas or diesel engines is the ease of accessibility and maintenance with a downside of slightly higher costs.

The engines are mounted on hydraulically operated Porta brackets, allowing them to be lifted and lowered which is especially helpful when dealing with shallow water. And with the original design calling for inboards, there is now plenty of space below decks for the genset and a Seakeeper gyro.

Performance

We had an estimated test weight of 16,705 lb. (7,577.26 kg) with full fuel and water and three people aboard. At 5600 rpm, our test boat averaged 39.2 mph wide open throttle. When backed off to 3500 rpm, she had an 18.5 mph turn of speed with 13.7 gph and 1.3 mpg and a statute mile range of 303 with a 10% fuel reserve.  

To extend her range, we dropped her down to 2000 rpm resulting in 9 mph, 5.0 gph and a range of 407 statute miles while still holding on to 10% of her 250-gallon (925 L) capacity.

All this means a comfortable and economical cruising boat capable of covering long distances when required. Time to plane was in 4.5 seconds, with little or no bow rise, and she held that attitude when throttling down to 16.5 mph.

Handling

Conditions for test day saw calm seas with little wind. With an LOA of 39' (11.88 m), a beam of 12’2” (3.7 m) and drawing some 2’10” (0.8 m) of water, she handled beam wakes maintaining a level attitude, and performed the same when coming around into turns. Acceleration was appropriate for a boat of her weight.

The 34 has a deadrise of 18 degrees at the transom.  That is an important detail.  It is one of the reasons she doesn’t have much bow rise, it also means that she will roll less than a deep-V at anchor, and is more stable at all times.  Further, this deadrise contributes to her relatively robust mpg fuel economy.

A sharp, plumb bow, flatter aft section and balanced displacement allow for a better entry and overall ride when conditions get a bit rough. And, it is in those conditions that spray can get kicked up, picked up by the wind and blown aft. But, with everyone in the salon, it’s no matter. That’s what windshield wipers are for.

Helm

What makes the starboard helm on the True North 34 OE work so well starts with the way the large forward and side windows provide complete and clear views into the seaway for the operator. In addition, the layout and positioning of all electronics, switches, and controls are within easy reach and vision.

The large multifunction display screen is center-mounted and those electrical switches are all waterproof and lit when turned on. Add to that the esthetics of the superb teak woodwork surrounding the helm, the teal-rim wheel, the overhead hatch allowing for added ventilation, and the center windshield opening if more air is wanted, plus the well-padded Lebroc seat, this area’s functionality has been exceptionally-well realized.

Cockpit

Her open design offers a cockpit that is sure to be a focal point of entertainment when at a favorite anchorage or in the dock after a day’s travel. With its 6’2” by 4’5” dimensions, and offering a fold-up transom seat and opposing, aft-facing bench, with storage beneath, all surrounded by 24” (60.6 cm) deep bulwarks, this is one comfortable area.

When the transom seat is folded up, the cockpit becomes a 27 square-foot space with enough room for a couple of fold-up chairs and even a portable table. A spreader light, mounted above, illuminates the space at night, and the optional electrically-operated Sure Shade, providing sun protection, can be deployed when needed.

There are three configurations for the aft bulkhead, that being an open arrangement, an isinglass back curtain, or a solid door with opening and fold-back windows. All of the options connect the cockpit with the salon one way or another.

The Bow

You can easily access the bow area via the 20-inch wide walkways to either side, with sturdy grabs on the cabin side and top and rails up to 28-inches. While not a true space on which to relax, still, if you wished, you could put a couple of seat cushions on the trunk cabin roof while at a quiet anchorage. Besides, that spacious cockpit area is the place to be.

A Lewmar windlass is forward with a roller-mount leading out to the toerail. A washdown connection is also located here.  There are two things we particularly like about the bow area: 1) The 6” (15 cm) high toe rale that will keep a person from slipping overboard when setting an anchor in nasty conditions, and 2) The bow rail is 34” (86 cm) high around the working area so the deckhand (aka the owner) has a convenient please to grab onto.

 We would like to see a stout cleat on the windlass base for tying off the rode. Otherwise, the windlass dog itself becomes the only thing holding the anchor rode to the boat, and it was not designed for that purpose. Some windlass makers point that out under the word “Warning!”  Of course, a cleat can be put there in the aftermarket.

Options to Consider

• 4KW diesel generator w/20gal fuel tank
• Extendable Sure-Shade cockpit awning
• Air Conditioning – 26K BTU Twin Zone
• Optimus Joystick System
• Drop down 32-inch SmartTV in salon
• Garmin electronics including16-inch GPSMAP 8616xsv CHARTPLOTTER, 24-inch radar dome GMR with Motionscope technology, VHF 315 marine radio, autopilot reactor 40, sonar
• 2000w inverter
• Outboard engine flushing system

Price:

$600,000 +/- depending on options.

Observations

The True North 34 OE possesses a distinctive Downeast profile, which is appealing to people that appreciate that aspect of Americana. She also is the kind of boat well-suited for a traveling couple who wish to own a comfortable, easily managed cruiser with plenty of storage space.

Her interior features show off the kind of fit and finish and attention to detail True North is noted for. Comfortable seating in the salon, a galley-up design, large windows all around, and private accommodations, provide the functionality a cruising couple needs.  

Put it all together on the True North 34 OE and you’ll always be going in the right direction.