I had cruisers for a number of years and bottom painted them even though I was in fresh water. It will slow the boat down a couple MPH. No trailer suggests he kept it in the water somewhere and although "hiding" something is possible, I believe unlikely.
502 EFI's with TRS (so it has trannies) and bottom paint.......I'll bet the boat barely hits 65MPH. Still could be a good boat, just get it surveyed if your interested and be aware most of us are not willing to buy a bottom painted boat so it will affect re-sale.

I take it that this is the boat we are discussing. It looks like a good deal, except you'll never get it looking right if you want to remove that bottom paint. Btw, if that boat will run 85 mph, I'll eat the bottom paint off it for you. I always question if a seller says something that isn't true, what else could he be giving the wrong info on? I'm guessing maybe 60-65 with that power.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Formu...QQcmdZViewItem

I have 485 hp per side and mine does 62 gps mp/h with bottom paint.

Thank you all for your great info and helpfullness. I immediately ruled out the top speed as Bull$%^&. I have some experience with boats in general, but not with Formulas, and I am thankfull to have found this forum. it is listed as having A/C... obviously that would be only on shore power? If I were to get it I would expect to have to pay throught the nose to have the bottom paint removed. The big question in my mind is, will it come of without removing the Gelcoat underneath?? If it doesn't, will it be able to be re-gelcoated without too much trouble?

As far as the drives are concerned, I had honestly written them off as most likely junk anyway. I have read lots on this forum about Bravo conversions and what seems to be a genuine desire for the original KAAMA equiped boats, but is it possible to do a TRS to Arneson conversion? or is that even feasible?

More on that line, is the 502 MPI the bulding block for the rest of Mercury's injected performance motors?? Would the internals hold up to superchargers or other performance enhancements?? I have been primarily a Diesel, Outboard, and Turbine guy up to this point.

With all this said, what do you guys think would be a good deal, price wise, for this 357?? Surely those motors and trannys are worth where it is at now right??

I wouldn't buy it with the bottom paint and salt history, but if I had to I wouldn't go over 26k max Scott. There are much nicer boats out there for 30 to 40k. I'm glad folks chimed in with their WOT speeds. I didn't want to insult anyone that's one reason why I edited my post. I had guessed 62mph max with the ant-foul. Sounds like your interested in a fair amount of upgrading after purchase. I'd find a fresh water boat with hydraulic steering and good drives and go from there. I wouldn't supercharge stock 502s either, although you could go through them and bring them up to it.

One other note; that boat has been for sale for at least a year as I remember seeing her when I was looking last spring. Hang in there.

Looked at the ad again, and the seller states that the boat has been maintained out of New England, yet the one pic of the transom has a home port of Hilton Head. Just an observation and FYI.

There is a nice 357 on OSO for sale with Kaama drives and appears to be in nice shape.

1986 357 SR1

35 - If you are looking for at least a 30 footer you should talk to CUDA here on the board He has a 303 with 420's and KAAMA drives. GREAT boat and pretty much a bullet proof set-up. BTW welcome to the board great guys on here!!!

It's actually a 302. Great boat, but just doesn't fit my boating needs since we moved. Fully equiped, and ready to run.

Definitely looks like tidal salt water and non original paint. No way 85 mph and they state "Almost 39 feet" . That's a stretch too. How about "not quite 38' with the platform". I'd avoid it like the plague