Thanks for your imput rippem! Why would you say the 353 is more fun to drive?

the two 382's I've driven have given me the feeling of all their size in terms of handling. I've run them WOT including a 600SCI boat and put it through S turns and such...
whereas my 353 seems nimble more like a 30' at the wheel moving the nose around.

I mean quite frankly in reasonable water all 5 of my smaller boats have been more "fun" at the wheel.

The 382 is a big boat and feels it.

Thanks again rippem. I just figured that on big water, the longer the better. But the 382 is big and heavy....

If Formulas were Fords, the 382 is the Excursion and the 353 is the mustang. The excursion is fine for laid back cruising and rough conditions, but the mustang is "nimble" and quick in comparison.

The 353 is a more updated design, bottom, drive hieght, deck...The 382 is way bigger in the cabin. I love my 353 w/496HO's........73mph ....good reliable engines....feel free to ask any questions you may have. Eric

Thanks for the info guys! Now I have even more to consider!
Can't help it - now I gotta ask... What do you think about a 1997 419? Three gas guzzlers (525's) scare me a bit, but it's a condo with all the goodies. Is it any problem running on 1 engine while making my way out of the canals? I'm about 45 min. from open water - then another 20 min. through speed zones till finally in the Gulf. The 419 is probably too much boat - but I would like everyone's opinion / experiences.
Thanks in advance!

Ya know, a 353 with 496 HO's makes good enough speed for me. Has to be a lot cheaper on fuel and insurance. I haven't followed much on the 496 engines - how do you like 'em? Without beating them, will they go longer without rebuilding than the 500 or 525? Also, they are fuel injected arent they?
Thanks again!

Never even saw one in real life ! Sounds like a lot of maintenance. 2 big engines are better than 3 'smaller' ones. A 353 with 600sci's would be sweeeeeeeeeeet !

496Ho's will last longer, are freshwater cooled (so are 525's, but NOT 500hp's). They are fuel injected, 2003 and newer supposedly run better, due to a ECU upgrade. Insurance should be less with 496's. The 525 is a nice engine, but you will pay $ 80,000 to step up from twin 496 HO's to 525's...... not cost effective , in my opinion. I was in Sarasota last week....flew in and out of Ft. Meyers airport............you guys got it made down there!!

Eric...he is talking about a 97 with the old 525SC's (blower motors) so these are not fresh water cooled either. Personally, I want and will pay for the blue motors even if they need re-builds twice as often.
Never seen a 419 either, but the extra 3 ft over the 382 has to be in the engine compartment for the third engine..... leaving the cabin the same size as the 382 (I would think). I'm not a fan of blower motors either, I just re-built both my blown 500's into N/A 540's. and from what I hear, triple engines are a bit(h to insure.