If a boat floats, and it don't got no bedsheets flapping off of poles, it's okay in my book.......

I watched the SOTW dvd, and I saw the PQ's and their support, they are ok in my book, I like the design of the boat as well, their 38 was moving, giving rides to all the kids from make a wish. They seem like a great all around pleasure boat.

Gary,
Mine has 454 Mags and Bravos. It'll do upper 60s. Surprised to hear you may be going back in years. But, for a good Lake Ontario wave-crusher, you can't beat it. Cabin and cockpit room are real nice too. Cabin is quite large for a 30-something boat. Only 31 I know with a bigger cabin is a 31 Sonic, those cabins are real big. Cockpit and bolsters kinda suck in a Sonic though.

Hey ThirdBird,
I would really like to stay with a newer boat but the price is more than I can afford right now. I think for the right price I could live with an older bigger boat. Like you said, I need a wave crusher for this lake. What do you think about standard 454's and TRS drives?

Well Formula271, I've never had any personal experience with TRS drives. When I searched for my boat. I specifically looked for Bravos. Only because of what others have said about parts availability factor with TRS. However, after owning the bravos and comparing the engine bay space savings the bravos offer, I wouldn't go TRS just for that reason. I can physically get in the engine bay in front of my engines. Thats a huge advantage for maintenance reasons. Even something as simple as replacing the raw water pump would be a major pain in a TRS boat, you'd be doing head stands to get at it.

On the other hand, TRS drives are heavy duty and they shift so smoothly that it makes you want TRS drives just for the shifting ease. If you go with TRS, keep in mind there were two trannies offered. Mercruiser made one and Borg-Warner made one. From what I understand, the Borg-Warner is the one to own (even though I hate those Borg-Warner valve actuators we have at the plant - junk!!).

There is tons of info on these trannies over in the Tech Section, a quick search and you'll find opinions pro and con like crazy on TRS drives.

TRS drives are not junk by any means, even though many say they are. Those drives were main Mercruiser workhorses for years. Every offshore had them in the earlier days. But, for space savings and maintainability, I prefer Bravos.

Well put third, I like that same factor, I'm 6'4" and 240 and can manuver around in the compartment, its not easy, but much better than the other boats I looked at before I bought my 311. mine had bravo's, for me it was that IF I did break a drive it was easily fixed. I am not hard on my equipment, I will run it, but take care of it and inspect it. I also believe there was a big weight difference along with having the notors a foot forward, it took a little longer to plane. 271, for the amount of money that you are spending, I think and extra 5-7 if you can swing it would give you more piece of mind, spending a little more up front might save you more in the long run...Rob

Thanks for all the replies. I will keep looking for the "right" boat, somewhere from a 311 to a 353.

Well then, I may have what your lookin for...email me at mdperfworks @ verizon.net....Just did a total buff and shine on her this weekend. It gets jealous when it knows I'm taking my Tiger out, lol..Rob

I know this is a 311 thread.....but did not want to read all of it and be a lurker.

My '89 292 has stock 365HP Mags w/ Stainless Marine. Best on GPS 73 MPH.

Friend of mine has an '88 311 with TRS and I think 420 HP Merc's. Close, but mine faster.

Agree with the rest of the thread that the TRS's are tough.

However, I would stay away due to:

parts availability, transmissions eat power, CG of boat farther forward = slower, engine bay room.

You are on the right track........just find a Bravo boat.

I would go with bravo vs trs