I am looking at different boats for my family (Family of 4), we are in North Carolina and have a couple large lakes and the inner coastal ways and the outer banks. I was wondering how the Fas Techs are with a family of 4 with or without friends? Also how do they do in 2-3 foot swells?

My kids love the water, boats and speed so I am good to go there lol. The only down side is we scuba dive so we will have to shore dive or boat charters for those.

Any insight and advice would be great.

Thank you.

What size?
I had a 312 then a 382. LOVED them both and we overnighted often with 3 kids. Very tight in the 312 and the boys were 5,8,11. Later in the 382 we pulled as many as 5 night trips and they were 8,11,14. While tight, everyone had a blast. The 353, 382 will be comfortable in those seas, the 312 will be fine, not sure I'd want to go smaller though.

Also note the size of the cockpit, the 382 is HUGE behind the bolsters!!!

We are looking at the 353 or the 382 depending on the prices. I would like to find a 2000 or newer that is fuel injected but would go as old as 1998 if need be.

353 or 382 would be a great fit. My wife and I take 2-3 people with us on our 353 and there is never a complaint for space. We are going to overnight on it for the first time next weekend so cannot comment on that aspect. 382 Has even more room in the cockpit/cabin. The storage for a bimini top is nice and clean, I know performance boaters curse the things but they do come in handy when needed. Amenities are great and performance is good, better with blue engines if you desire and budget for. The later models have more updated dashboards and controls, more "blingy" accents, but they all function the same. The only drawback with 382 is overall on the trailer weight compared to 353. We have a 7.3 turbo diesel Excursion so that sealed our decision to go with 353.

I am deploying for the 8th time at the end of October and when I get back I will be getting a Dodge Ram 2500 mega cab with the 6.7L Cummings. Just not sure if I want a brand new or used, it will come down to availability for what I am looking for. I have always loved the 353and the 382 and from what I am finding they are not that bad priced. I will defiantly have what ever boat I am looking at surveyed. I am currently in Northern New York on the St Lawrence river and see all the big boats and love the sound of the engines. I was not sure how comfortable a 353 or 382 would be with 4-8 people on board. I was looking at a 330SS or 370SS but the price and the weight got us to looking at other boats and we came to the 353 and 382. We like the looks of the 312 but feel the size for where we will be boating will hinder us. When I retire in a few years we will be moving back to the Bay Area in California and it will be all Bay and inner coastal ways there as well.

t500HP how did you arrange everyone for sleeping on your 382? From what I can tell from pictures online there the front bed then the seating below that. Does that have a filler cushion that goes in to make that another bed?

I got a 292 and its tight with 4 people, espcecially 4 adults. 353 is my dream boat and hopefully my next move. 382 although nice, I prefer the 353. Have considered SSs, but love the fastechs.

Our 2002 382 had the filler cushions for between the couches. We actually put the kids in the V-berth and the wife and I on the filler cushions. Ours had the TV, sink, frig, vacuflush head, AC and I added a microwave (no gen). Built 540's from 500's and a new trailer not long after I bought it (2006-2007).........talked to the new owner not long ago and he said he was thinking about selling, boat was immaculate 3 years ago and from what it hear the guy seems to keep it the same.

You thinking about buying it back?

I am still a couple years out from buying since I will be gone most of next year and then I will be moving back to North Carolina the end of next year. I am thinking it will be cheaper to buy in the off season then it will be to buy during season. I have no problem with getting a 353 or 382 with 496 HOs, if I do I am giving Raylar Engineering a call .

Also is there any benefit of Fuel Injection over Carbureted motors besides the obvious?

I am a car guy so I know from building off road trucks FI is the way to go for what I build.

You can make carb'd go faster. The new 353 formula had at the AC boat show had naturally aspirated engines in it. So the must see something they like.