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".


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.

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!!!

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.