Is that your boat graphics in your avitar? I love those champion graphics on that 353. One other 353 I was watching has sold with those graphics, beautiful!!

I don't require the fastest speed and sporty ride as much as the smoothness so if the wider turns and length results in smother ride quality that would be a better fit.

Thanks for the input.

I hope the others you refer too will chime in.

I thought the stories seemed to match and I did notice the screen names but wanted to verify. I have the same screen name as well; everywhere.
No I don't know the guy that bought your boat but he got a great ride. I was trying to wrap up a deal to be able to get yours but things didn't work out for us. Now we are working on another deal and if it works out the leading candidate is a 382 in Fla. I met the owner and drove it last weekend. It needs some TLC but has all the bling and options we want.

I definitely get what your saying t500. In the 31 you bust right out into the cabin and full width above the waistline from the companionway, therefore the subliminal effect is big for a 31

In the 38 it feels to me like you have to take 3-4 steps through a "tunnel" of head wall, closets, and cabinetry before it opens up. When it does it is there is more headroom and width (than the 35...talking inches here). Makes it feel like a completely seperate space.

measure all three of these boats from the back of the bolster to the back of the bench, and the length of the sunpad and you'll know where the real majority of OAL difference is in these boats
I stand by what I said
If I remember my measurements correctly:
the cabinetry/built-ins in the cabin are 12-14" longer than the 35
8" more cockpit from the bolsters to the bench
and 8 inches more sunpad
do the math

the 38 over the 35 isn't about cabin and cabinets
it's about topside space and it is BIG as has been said

ride?
tank I'm sure? as I've never really challenged one from behind the wheel in the rough
but you loose alot of the nimble feel of the 35 for that.
power for power you might as well loose 10 MPH and by a 37SS

We're saying roughly the same thing......That "tunnel" description is accurate, but it is space for things you use/need. Your measurements don't look out of line although I've never measured them that way. I don't remember the 35 having the rear cockpit space the 38 has but maybe it does. I stated the same thing about the 382 being more of a tank vs nimble (and that's just what I've been told). I can see your comment about the 38 needing more turning room being accurate. What does the 35 run with 525's? Same ?? for the 38? I assumed about 80 for the 35 and 75 for the 38??? (mine was not stock and ran high 90's when I got it and high 80's when I built N/A motors).

the 353 has pretty good floorspace.
It's no fountain but yea 'bout 8" less than the 382 seats-to-seat

I'm gonna say there is more like a 7MPH spread as more typically a late model 38 will be carting around A/C ect.

I ran a 382 with 600SC/ITS with a half bag of fuel 82 on a light chop
So yea 75 sounds right for 525's/no setback Bravos

t500hps, I met the guy you sold your boat to this summer, at the State Dock (Lake Cumberland), nice guy, we hang out there some, beautiful boat !, I like those graphics. I have ridden in the Formula 382 Factory Poker Run, with 700's, and it has an awesome ride, 89.9 mph, with 6 people. But for me (no kids), the 353 was a better chioce. I love the ride and handling. Rides best with some chop, and no trim tab, or very little.

I've talked to him a couple times and he certainly seems to be enjoying the boat. I told him there is one condition to buying a boat from me......If you ever sell it I get first call for it. I bought that boat with 8 psi Prochargers on 500's. It ran a best of 98 with that set-up but I wanted N/A and went 540's. Still ran low 80's anytime.

My preference was for the 353, but I never stay on the boat. The 383 does seem a LOT larger and handles much different then the 353. I would think that if you are staying on the boat a lot the 383 would be a better choice.

As did 500hp's, I went from a 312 to a 382. The 312 was a blast to drive,496's ran 70 any time. I think it all depends on your needs. The 353, in my opinion is an all around great package,fun ride,good size,perfect balance with 525's and XR's. But if your more into family overnighting,there is no substatution for space. My 382 will still run 77mph with fuel and 3-4 adults. But we usually just cruise around at 40-45 and the ride is perfect. I trailer my 382 every weekend in the summer and don't mind it too much. You can't go wrong with eithier one. My only other suggestion would be to try and buy a later model with closed cooling. Good Luck

I've owned a 312 and own a 353 presently, also before I bought my 353 I rode in both a 353 and 382 and I really didn't noticed that much diff or I would have got the 382.
Seems most of the 3 feet is all in the cabin and I didn't need to buy a bunch of empty space.
Now the diff between the 312 and my 353 is a ton, it rides so much nicer in the LOTO washer i boat in.
Good luck with whatever you get, the Formula's are great boats no matter what size you get.