Mako 334 CC Review

Story by Craig Ritchie Aug. 23, 2017

Built specifically for serious offshore fishing, the new 2018 Mako 334 CC makes the most of the traditional center console design, with a couple of twists.

The boat is actually available in three different versions – a standard model, a Sportfish edition with some extra fishing goodies, and a Family edition that’s built with more creature comforts. Lets take a look at all three.

All three editions of this boat start up front with a large anchor locker complete with an electric windlass, accessed through a lifting door in the top of the bow cap, and through a second shin-level door in the bow compartment. No less than 16 flush-mount stainless steel rod holders are spaced around the boat in the cap rail, while plush cockpit coaming provides serious comfort when fighting the big ones. Order the boat with its available Sportfish Edition and the bow comes with a central ottoman-style seat, or coffin box. This unit features a 292-quart built-in fish box, and the whole thing lifts on hydraulic rams to provide access to an enormous 740-quart storage compartment that’s located directly beneath it. people who say that center console boats lack storage space are in for a few surprises in the big Mako.

The 292-quart coffin box in the bow lifts on hydraulic rams to provide access to an enormous 740-quart storage compartment that’s located directly beneath.

The traditional forward-facing seat at the front of the console features the expected lifting seat cushion to provide access to the enormous built-in ice chest. What isn’t expected are the two fold-down arm rests, that do so much to greatly improve the comfort of this seat position. The front framework for the hard top come down just behind the armrests, offering a little more security when riding in rough water.

The forward-facing seat at the front of the helm console features pull-down arm rests and a cooler in its base.

As you move through the Mako 334 CC, it quickly becomes apparent that there are massive amounts of storage space, with lockers, lids and drawers everywhere. This frees up space in the center console itself, allowing it to be rigged as a walk-in head compartment, accessed through a port-side door.

In-floor 290-quart fish boxes with overboard drains located in the cockpit floor speak to this boat’s intentions.

The main cockpit flooring is fiberglass with an attractive and effective non-skid finish. Because it sits above the water level, it’s completely self-draining, allowing rain water and spray to simply run back to the transom and out one of four drains. This design greatly facilitates cleanups through the day, and keeps fish scales to a minimum.

Like the rest of the Mako 334 CC, the helm is simple and straightforward, with a standard tilt stainless steel wheel with turning knob and plenty of room on the dash to mount large multi-function displays like the twin Garmin 7612 XSV combos which were mounted in our review boat. There’s space for the Mercury joystick control to center adjacent to the engine throttle controls, the Fusion stereo control head, a VHF radio and a pair of cup holders to each side of the console.

The helm is clean and straightforward, with plenty of room for large multi-function displays. Joystick docking is standard on all versions.

The driver and companion ride along on a nicely upholstered, double-wide helm seat with a flip up bolster. Flipping up the arm rests and seat cushion quickly convert this seat to a leaning post for standing operation. The aft side of the helm seat console includes a large bait prep area complete with a fresh water sink and a cooler. Six compartments in the lower portion of the seat console provide still more convenient tackle storage.

Order your boat with the available Sportfish Edition upgrade and the standard hard top is configured with a second, elevated helm station, complete with Mercury Vessel View and joystick control. The joystick piloting – standard equipment on every version of the Mako 334 CC – is a superb piece of technology that makes it effortless to dock in any tide, current or breeze, and its technology works with the GPS to provide SkyHook digital anchoring. Using the GPS, the system operates the engines as required to hold the boat in position regardless or current, boat wakes or wind. When fishing deep water where anchoring is impossible, SkyHook works like magic to keep the boat precisely positioned while leaving the Captain with two free hands to fish.

Order your boat with the available Sportfish Edition upgrade and the standard hard top is configured with a second, elevated helm station accessed by a ladder.

If you spend a lot of time boating with the kids it’s also possible to order the big Mako 334 CC with the Bluewater Family Edition option group, which includes luxurious bow seating and a auto-retractable sun shade built into the hard top to provide greater cockpit sun protection.

The Bluewater Family Edition of this boat features luxurious bow seating, an overhead sun shade and other comfort amenities.

With every version of the Mako 334 CC, there’s in-floor storage for bulky gear along each side of the center console, while a pair of 290-quart in-floor insulated coolers / fish boxes in the rear cockpit – each with its own with Gulper macerator and overboard discharge – handle still more fish. With all the onboard fish storage, it’s clear that the folks at Mako are confident that buyers of this boat will have plenty of luck!

Twin 34-gallon bait wells on each end of the transom keep everyone well supplied with bait.

A final in-floor door just ahead of the transom provides bilge access. Across the transom a pair of 34-gallon bait wells in each corner keep fresh bait always close at hand. The clear bait well lids stay open on friction hinges, eliminating the need for struts. Along the port side just ahead of the transom, there’s an inward-opening tuna door that make dockside access as easy as it gets.

A bait prep station complete with a sink and cooler is positioned to the aft side of the helm seating.

With its 24-degree deadrise hull and unique notched transom, the 2018 Mako 334 CC provides excellent performance and improved efficiency over previous designs. Standard power is twin Mercury 300 Verado supercharged outboards, which can be upgraded to twin 350s, twin 400s, triple 300s or triple 350s. With the triple 350s representing maximum power, this boat will reach top speeds in excess of 65 mph, making it among the fastest center consoles in its class. Cut the throttle back to a more sedate 30 mph and around 3,000 rpm. and with a full fuel load this boat enjoys a maximum range of over 400 miles. But no matter how it’s powered, the 334 slices through the heaviest chop while delivering the kind of dry, smooth ride that Mako is known for.

Looking for a serious offshore fishing boat? It would be hard to go wrong with the Mako 334 CC. Visit Mako-Boats.com for more information.