Doing the Ditch

Enlarge Photo

The Corvette 340
A little yacht with big ambitions.

The all-new Corvette 340 is an updated version of Europe’s popular Corvette 320, and it is now built at the same yard in Taiwan where Fleming motoryachts are built.  Marketed as “The World’s Biggest Little Yacht” it offers two private staterooms, each with a head and shower.  The aft stateroom is impressive, as it utilizes the full width of the hull and features a walk-around island berth, a large hanging locker, built-in dressers and a desk/vanity.   Outside, there are two spacious living areas, the aft sundeck as well as the flying bridge, which seats seven.

Beyond its generous living space, the Corvette 340 delivers superb performance and quality.  Even with the standard Yanmar 315 horsepower engines, she will cruise at 18 knots and top out at more than 20 knots.  The factory is working on other power packages in addition to the optional Cummins, which are a bit large for this engine room.  A lot of attention has been paid to noise attenuation, and running this boat for 8 or 9 hours a day is not at all tiring because it is so quiet, especially when at the upper helm. With its twin screws, the 340 is extremely easy to maneuver, even without the use of its bow thruster.  

In ocean swells, running an inlet or heading directly into a nasty chop, the Corvette’s proven hull design works well and provides a sense of confidence even in snotty conditions. It doesn’t pound or slam into head seas, and in following seas it tracks well and is very much in control (a bit surprising considering its rather square, boxy rear end).   

If you have ever been on a Fleming yacht, you will recognize the quality of the Corvette’s systems engineering as well as its interior woodwork.  It is apparent these craftsmen don’t know how to build anything other than a first class yacht, even if it’s only 34-feet in length. The flawless gelcoat, teak decks (vacuum bagged to the fiberglass decks eliminating the need for fasteners) and heavy-duty stainless rails and hardware are just a few signs that this is a well-built yacht which will hold its value for many years.

A few things on this new model need to be tweaked, however, and the factory has already responded with new drawings. The second helm chair crowds the salon and is in the way of the electrical panel, so both helm chairs are being replaced by a convertible bench seat that will also extend the settee.  Access to the engine room will also be improved with different sized hatches and an easily removable salon table. Otherwise, I found this updated version of its popular predecessor to be a well designed, solidly built yacht.

Certainly the Corvette 340 is not an inexpensive 34-foot boat, but upon close inspection, you get what you pay for. It’s ideal for those downsizing from a larger yacht who don’t want to sacrifice quality or luxury, and it would be a significant upgrade for those graduating from a smaller boat and/or lesser brand.  For more information and dealer listings, visit www.corvettemarine.com.

Specifications
LOA: 34’10”
Beam: 13’
Draft: 3’3”
Displ.: 23,148 lbs.
Fuel: 290 USG
Water: 135 USG
Standard Power: Twin Yanmar 6LP 315 hp Diesels
Optional Power: Twin Cummins QSB 330 hp or Volvo D6 330-hp
Base Price: $415,000
As Tested: $500,000

Performance
RPM    KNOTS    GPH    DbA

600        4.5          .8        62
1250      7.5           5        68
1500       9            6.5      74
2000      12           18       78
2400      18           23       82
3000      24           34       86

Tested with optional Cummins engines. Sound measured in main salon. Conditions were in one-foot seas with 3/4 fuel and water and two people onboard.