Help with 353 382 ride comparison.....need input!
 

I rode a 382 in the Gulf with some small rollers and got a feel of it's ride. Those who have 382's tell me they are FAR FAR better of a ride. After riding this 382 and previously a 312, I know I can't compare them, I am wondering how different a 353 could be in ride difference. At this point it seems like the ride must be pretty similar rather than FAR different.

I like the 353 and the 382 and hoping to make a purchase soon.

Have some of you been on both hulls to be able to give me a good comparison between the two?

I had a 312 then bought a 382......never in a 353. The ride difference in those was great (as you know). I've always heard the 353 closer to the 312 but again, can't confirm.

Bigger is always better. longer spans the waves better.

Jeff

I understand the general rule as you say but it is hard to qualify the incremental differences. If it were easier I could decide a compromise if there was a compromise to make.

Each owner claims their ride to be so good and when looking at both boats the 382 guy will say, "oh this 382 ride is night and day different from the 353", and the 353 guy will say, "this thing rides very much like the 382; there is only 3' different and you don't notice it much". :eek: :eek: :eek:


How would I know the difference??????????????????? Drives me crazy trying to find out without just simply riding them back to back.

I rode both the 382 and 312 and while the difference is quite noticeable it would make me thing the 353 and 382 are closer in comparison since both have twin step and the 312 is a single step and much shorter.


What kind of water conditions would be a good test of the differences in them, ocean rollers? lake chop, breakers, 1-3 footers???????

The best water conditions to test it in are those your most likely to encounter.

The 353 is roughly 500lbs heavier than the 312 and stays narrow in the bow (like the 312). The 382 is 2,500lbs more than the 312 and gets fat in the bow quicker. I equate the 382 to an excursion and the 353 to a mustang. Both good rides but built for a different purpose. I made that analogy years ago and had several people agree with it.

Unless you really need/want the cabin space I'd go with the 353. It will be faster and would appear to be more "nimble" while still provide a pretty good ride. If your not hung on Formula (and I love them btw) I would consider an Active Thunder.

Thanks for that info t500hps.
Yes the cabin space is a big preference that puts the 382 up front but the 353 looks close enough to do.

I didn't know about the bow girth difference. Interesting.
Could I conclude the 382 bow would hit harder in the waves than the 353 with the more narrow bow?


I'll look at the AT's but I really like the cosmetics and style of the Formula.

Fountain performance is nice but I can't stand the cockpit even though they beat Formula on some cabin ameneties.

Decisions decisions decisions. :grinser010:

I went to a boat show with 2 friends when I had my 312 and just knew the 353 was going to be my next boat.......turns out the space the enclosed head takes was the ONLY thing that made the 353 larger than the 312. The rest of the cabin was the same size as my 312. Then we went into the 382 and couldn't believe the difference in size. It just felt so much bigger and from that point forward the 353 was of my list. If it's just you and the wife it might do, but we overnighted often with 3 kids........and had done so it the 312 too!!! :eek:

The bow flares more-so above the waterline. The bow hulls look the same but walking out of the front deck the 382 just stays wider longer.

Remember, the 382 is 2,000lbs heavier than the 353, if your towing every weekend (we did) make sure you have the truck for it. Full of fuel I had about 15,500 hooked to the truck.

Are you the same guy on Speedwake that recently sold his 382 to a guy in Kentucky?


We would overnight the wife and I and at least two kids. Right now the 242 is a cozy fit but we would out grow it by another season so I'm wanting to change now while I have a golden opportunity.

Definately have the truck. Traded my 07 2500 Suburban for a Dmax/Allison 4x4, 4WD, crew cab LBZ. It should be even better with a Banks system in it.

WOW, I would never have thought the 353 and 312 cabins were the same size. Well that does it for me too, the 353 is out!

I rode slowone's 312 and checked it out. The cabin didn't have AC and I could see where we would have a space problem in a few short years. I saw that one in person so I still remember pretty well the layout. It has been since the 08 boat show that I was in a 353 and from the pics I had the impression that the berths would be the same size. Pics don't tell the whole story in 1000 words.

and with the additional cabinetry in the 382 cabin, its the same as a 353 couches and berth! All that glossy white cabinetry in the 38 has quite the subliminal effect!
just a little more headroom over both as the hull is taller and the deck has the "rise" in it!
yes I've been in all three!
the 312 has no enclosed head and the couches are still a little shorter!
to say that the 38 is remarkably bigger than the 35 in the cabin, and the 35 isn't to the 31 is poppycock

where the real noticable difference in all 3 by footage is the distance from the back of the bolsters to the bench (cockpit floorspace) and the length of the sunpad!

the only thing I agree with is that the 38 carries it's beam a little farther forward.

as far as ride I'm sure they are appropriately incrimental.

I know the 38 isn't as "sporty" a feel as the 35, and seems to have an out of proportion to the 35 wider turning radius.

Yes, driven both, and I believe another forum regular has the same impression.

I know I've had my 35 across the eastern end of Lake Ontario in real 6 footers (ask anybody what the E end of the lake can be like) for 14 miles and was duly impressed with it's seaworthyness. I literally could see nothing down in the trough standing and I'm 6'5". Was I running any speed? NO are you kidding me? Fast enough to stay on plane, powering up and surfing down picking my line carefully, hoping I didn't loose an engine or drive cause the boat quite possibly could have been lost.. A decision I wouldn't neccessarily make again. but I gotta tell you I was impressed. Only took water over the bowlight and or splashed the cockpit pretty good a few times and broke nothing. As a matter of fact most everything stayed put. but I wasn't being an idiot either, just committed get where I was going without loosing the boat or drowning. I was chitting myself for the first mile or two 'till I realized in a pinch how safe and well-built this boat is! Then I was having a blast!

Is the 38 appropriately more capable when asked to do same? probably, but I'm glad I wasn't in a 31!

Yep, I'm on speedwake and my 382 went to KY.....do you know TJ? (I use the same screen name).
This is for you and Rippem:

The 312 doesn't have the enclosed head, the 353 does. Considering the cabin space the head takes in the 353, it makes the REST of the cabin seem the same size as the 312. Obviously having the head is a plus and it seems to be where all 4 addl. feet of length went. The 382 isn't alot longer in the cabin but it is longer and a bit taller. The additional beam towards the bow of the 382 also makes the boat seem a bit bigger. Accounting for the additional cabinetry in the 382 makes it much more user friendly IMO. The cockpit space in the 382 is as large as you'll find in a 38 footer.....must be 4+ feet from bolster to rear bench

Don't discount the 353 til you get in one, if I ever buy another go-fast I will revisit the 353 since our kids are getting close to staying home instead of going with us all the time.

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. :grinser010:

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 :evilb: 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.

I have also driven all three mentioned, 311, 382, and currently own a 353.

As Rippem has already stated the obvious difference in size, I feel as thought the 353 handles like a much smaller boat when it comes to nimbleness. Handling the slop and bigger waters, and I too have been in some of the holy crap :eek: situations, the boat feels solid and safe. This is of course if you use common sense.

The 382 is a large boat and feels larger when driving. It's slow to respond turning was one of the reasons my choice was the 353. The acceleration and feel is totally different between the two.

If you are only looking for creature comforts, then I would suggest the 400ss. Get a little speed, and much more comfort!

Dave

all the comparisons in this thread so far have referenced the 312 fastech (not the older 311 SR-1 which was a bigger boat). If your comparing the 311, it isn't the same animal.

Although I did not mention the 311 in my thoughts and comparison, I have driven a 311 and a 312. My mistake, I did mean 312, although I wouldn't recommend a 312 here due to the nature of this gentlemans boating prefrences.

Dave

I'm with Axa and Rip, the 353 is a Sportier, more nimble ride, the 382 feels almost cruiserish and Rip hit it on the head with the cornering. Axa and I had to do a K-turn under a bridge in the river a few years ago on a 382. If you want ameneties and some speed, go with a 370 or 400SS, if you want to have fun driving, the 353 is a great boat.

I can appreciate "the 382 feels almost cruiserish" and at the same time have the style and speed of a performance boat. The truth is I'm probably on the ropes between an SS and a Cruiser but I like the sleek style and speed of a Fastech.

Between the 353 and 382, my best guess after riding the 312 and 382, is that the 382 with 525's almost feels underpowered compared to the responsive ride credited to the 353. It sounds like the 382 could only get close to the agility of the 353 if it had 600SC's.
Again I'm kind of surmising from my feel of how the 312 responded to it's power level and what I understand here about the 353 all filtered to what I observed on the 382 with 525's ITS, XR's.

They might be right about the responsiveness of the 353 but mine had plenty of "go" in it.........I bought it with 8 psi Prochargers (800hp) and was later lowered to 630hp 540's :)

My 2 cents would be where do u boat and what are the typical conditions? Been in a 35 and a 38. Only drove the 35, huge diiference compared to my 419. Personally would never give size over some accelaration. I boat where conditions most of the time are far from perfect. How often do u need big turning radius or fast acceleration. Much more work to run the 35. To me all look similiar when sitting in the water. Would own all three, but some work better then others for the type of boating that u do.

We boat everywhere so the conditions vary to all extremes.
My wife does not like the boat to pound in rough water due to a back condition so the length and extension boxes for smoother ride would be the preference. When I drove the 382 there were no sudden movements and even though the plane time was a little long it came up and on smooth unlike the 312 that came on plane with a violent porpoising. I never did WOT the 525's because it wasn't my boat. They felt strong but didn't give me the feeling that they could accelerate the boat hard.

When you went with the Maximus 5 blades was there a change in how the boat came up on plane? Was there a small lag spot in the center of the plane process if the tabs were up?


The one I drove, I drove the way the owner directed, came up on plane with the tabs up with a little lag as if the engines had a specific power band and you could feel them come into it. I wondered if it was the boat, the plane method, the engines or a difference between how the 4 blades pushed and the 5 blades pushed the boat?

Mine was different.....The Prochargers made 830hp (790 according to Mark Boos, precision marine) and ran 34P Bravos. It came up on plane just fine but had plenty of power. The N/A motors were 630hp but 700ft lbs torque. Originally ran 32P Bravos and it came on plane easily. The 5 blades improved time to plane a little but I was always concerned about the drives and rolled into the throttle coming up. I would say the 38 might be a little slower to plane simply because it has 7 more feet of hull that has to be lifted out of the water.

I don't have any experience in a 353 but anyone who says that you don't get wet in these boats cannot be using his. If the wind is on the beam or quartering, and the waves are 3+ you will get VERY wet.

I suspect that under most conditions 3' doesn't make that much difference. Certainly smooth water isn't going to make a 382 seem special. I believe the difference is most noticeable in places like Long Island Sound where the wave period is pretty short and choppy.

If you familiar with Porsche

The 382 is the Turbo
and the
353 is the GT3

The 353 goes easy airborn , if you like that, its your boat

If you prefer more comfort, go with the 382

Both boats have a safe and superb handling, but the 353 is simply the more sportive boat

You will see 9o+ MPH in a 353 with twin 600

You`ll need twin 700 `s for same speed in a 382