Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

The 2 boats are darn near identical, except one has 500efi's, and the second 496ho's. There's really pros & cons to each setup. I've decided to keep an open mind & see if either "speaks" to me. And as you know, one persons defintion of a "clean" boats is not always anothers.
I'll update on Monday.
Dave

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

Non related, but a 353 w/ 700 NA hp and surface drives would be way too cool. Good luck with the search.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

Not on my checkbook!

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

what year boat are you looking at? I have a super clean 03 on a triple axle aluminum trailer I am considering to sell since I don't use it as much as I would like. 80 hrs on it.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

Have a friend looking for a low hour 353 . Power, paint, etc.? Maybe a picture? Could get info to him, or he might pick up on it here, he's on OSO also. His boat has been sold and he is actively looking. He's here in New York also.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

BL6,
Any update? What'd ya look at? I'm also in the 353 market.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

http://www.shipyardmarine.com/search...r=ASC&page=1&#

rack stored, 1 owner, always freshwater, 215 hours, all records avail. NEW trailer, sold new by us, make offer

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

Yes still thinking & looking, 1 was clean, 1 was not, I'm gonna shop more.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

The Infared one looks clean, why don't you get after Donzilla here on the 03' with 80 hrs he mentioned. Spring is just round the corner!:eek:

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

It is on the Total marine website and the boat is spotless I washed it more than I used it. Make an offer. Or pm me an offer. I know the listed price is a little high.
JIm

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

bl6,

wow, i swear i posted and pm'd you about a 353 in northern michigan but???????? do not see it anywhere. Give this guy a call, wayne 231-347-1994 (w) or 231-838-2327 (c). Very clean boat. Dont think you will be dissappointed if it has the options that you are looking for.

scott eaton

good luck with your search.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

Scott - my brother in law has a 37 ATV, I see you do also. I have also kept an eye out for used 37's.

Re: Going to look @ 2 - 353's this weekend
 

I love my 37, I bought it and had to sit on 36 outlaw for a year. Good Luck

Hello from Omaha (Lake of the Ozarks)
I have a '98 353 with 500s. EXTRA clean and nice; infrared.
In the LOTO paper for 105k. Trailer available.
Let me know if you'd like pics.

We ended up buying a 2000 353, real clean, excellent trailer. Boat has 2003 496ho's installed 70 hrs. I was very sure I'd get 500efi's, but there are advantages on the 496's; gas, insurance cost, cruisng range, maintance.
Really took a long time for the seller to come around to my price, so I kept quite for a while. This is our 6th boat, so I've sold 5 others, and you never get what you think you ought to, so it's important to by it right.
Looking forward to spring!

the one at shipyard?

Believe it was listed by them prior. You know the boat? Will sea trial after it warms up.

congrats on the boat, could you pm me what you paid? have a buddy tring to sell his, had left you his number. he thinks it is priced to sell but was wondering what the real market brought. if you dont want to share that info thats ok, and if anything happens with the sea trial keep this boat in mind.
again congrats.

Just curious, seems like 353's and 382's are priced very similar. Anyone with imput on this?

close. 382's always a little more, but closer than you would think after 3-5 years. 382's alot of boat. the 353 is more trailer friendly, storage friendly, much more fun to drive and is 5-7 MPH faster with the same power. plus the 353 has the more modern deck as the 382 deck is a carry-over from the old SR's

382 is a smaller market than the 353 and pricing is therefore more competitive.

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:drink:

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! :D

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! :p

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 !:evilb:

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!!:D :cool:

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.

The extra length does seem to be for the third screw. I just want good strong engines without many extras / expenses. I'm totally up in the air now about 353 or 382's :drink:

We do have it made down here. I left big money in cold Ohio to slow down and move to paradise. But the Real Estate market has tanked and taxes are a b**ch! :( That's the only reason I'm waiting so long to pull the trigger on a boat.
It's killing me!!!!!!!!!!!! :drink:

t500, I want a set of Blue motors also...just don't want to pay for them:rolleyes: I didn't realize that he was talking about 525sc's......Blower motors are sweet sounding, and WHEN they run well they are great power plants.....just a Biatch to work with...........Mark, I live on Long Island NY.. I am fortunate enough to own a waterfront home. My property taxes are $24000 per year. Oh,.....it is 15degrees here today!!:drink: I am looking into a move to the Sarasota, Venice, Nokomis area......Eric

Holy s**t :eek: $24K! Nice home! I used to be a Custom Home Builder and designer, then Developer. Now have my Real Estate license down here as a start. If you want anything from Sarasota to Naples, please call me @ 239.789.7666.
I'll tell you, Naples is the place to be!
It's only 76 today - then low 80's through Monday :D :drink:
- your'e gonna hate me for that! :evilb:

Mark, my House is only about 2200sq./ft.......i will keep your phone #.....I will probably need to live in the Sarasota area due to job requirements........E

It was a pleasure talkin to ya Eric! I look forward to meeting up with you & good luck with the interviews - say goodbye to the cold and snow! :D

I actually had a pair of 525sc's in a 34' Powerquest. They were good engines. Much better after I rebuilt & got the carb's dialed in. Actually lots of grief prior on the carbs.

The engines sounded great and the "whine" at high end was cool. It did drink the fuel. If I went 35 miles to the next port it seemed like I used 1/2 tank of fuel. So I was reluctant to cruise with friends.

Triples would be thirsty!

My buddy has a 92 419... great boat. I'm 6'2 " and I can stand up in the cabin. It's like a conference room in his cabin. Too much boat for me. He started out trailering, even bought an F450 to stop the thing. Also built a boat house for it. Now he slips it. Great ride though. I don't know about running on one engine.

Like wise Mark, I will be in touch next time I come south (hopefully a 1 way trip) :evilb: :drink:

Sleek 1---Formula should increase the cabin headroom in the FasTech line,.....also massage the hull design and get a little more speed out of them. The 35 Donzi claims to be 10mph faster than the 353 with same power.....Hey John Adams, time to hit the drawing board !!!:drink: :drink: :rolleyes:

Sleek 1---Formula should increase the cabin headroom in the FasTech line,.....also massage the hull design and get a little more speed out of them. The 35 Donzi claims to be 10mph faster than the 353 with same power.....Hey John Adams, time to hit the drawing board !!!:drink: :drink: :rolleyes: