Fastech 353 or 382?
 

Hey guys,

Currently I am a Nordic owner, love her to death, but with 2 little ones on board, I am finding I need more boat. We are looking to buy maybe next year if my Heat sells this winter, only time will tell there. I have been trying to hunt down info, and man there is lots to sift through.

So, currently I trailer my 28' Heat with no issue. She has her own parking spot behind a privacy fence, and is easy to maintain with a single 500efi. I am looking for something with a head, ac, limited galley works for overnighters. From what I have found the 382 obviously has more cabin. And most seem to have AC that I have seen.

How difficult is the maintenance on these? I do all my own work and am not afraid to tear things apart if need be. How are these things to trailer? This is for lake with very limited Galveston usage. I am running a Ram 2500 Cummins now. Any problems with single rear tire towing and huge trailers?

I am basically looking for a run down on both the 353 and 382. Any info would be awesome. Sorry for the longish post. Thanks a ton guys!

Oh, and duh...the whole reason anyone is on this site. Speed. Currently I run about 74 on a good day. I would like to see that or better, no downgrades. What power is required for these guys to hit that? Thanks a lot again. Happy boating!

Edit...can't seem to think straight today. This will be used. Any model years to steer clear of? Ok, done for now... back to trying think straight.

A 382 with 500's should run right around the same. There really about 36' plus the platform. Your dodge will have no problem towing one. From what I've seen prices are reasonably close so I would go for the 382 over the 353, but in personally not a big fan of their ride. They lay over on their side bad when crossing wakes, and feel stuck to the water and bow heavy until you get past 55 or so and get the front step out of the water. Jmop and observation.

Cool, thanks for the reply. I guess what truly matters is a solid predictable ride since it is mainly for family fun with a few runs with the boys a year.

353 Unless your going Blue Water.

Is that a resultant of the overkill theorem? :)

How big of a difference in cabin space is there between the two? If in didn't want to go fast, I would just buy a cabin cruiser... but my need for even moderate speed won't let that happen.

I could write a book but I went with a newer 353. Extension boxes really work on this boat. I've compared same setup minus I.T.S. in real world, fresh water running side by side and there was a 6 mph difference 353 to 353. When going 525s its all about the maintenance done at the right time. I found a one owner boat and it didn't have a/c. All the basics were there for it so I negotiated factory a/c in when I bought the boat. We overnight one or two times a year, its good for 2 adults. I wouldnt plan on useing it as a frequented hotel room. Cabin headliner sags like a 79 Nova, easy fix once apart. Speeds are 82-83 all the time with 84 when all is just right. The boat is bow heavy and takes time to plane. I have never been on one with 496s but my guess is it struggles to perform, there's much more weight there than a comparable Fountain. Its easy to get parts for, the factory has an excellent customer service oriented team. We enjoy our boat every time we use it, Im going to be moving on next year though. PM me questions if you would like.

In response to the "lay over on their side" comment. ANY v bottom lays on it side. The drivers skill wicks the wheel to get ANY v bottom straight. One that allows the chine to take the hits will be fixing all the kwhams and cabinets until One learns to drive. This I say from first hand knowledge! Its all me!

Had a 312 then went to a 382. The cabin of a 382 is huge compared to a 353.....but with that comes a speed disadvantage due to weight. (2500 lbs heavier). We have 3 kids and overnighted often. The 353 was a better/faster performer but the 382 suited our needs better. As a plus, I found a 382 with Procharged 500's.......ran 98 on GPS. :eekdrop:

Haha, nice numbers! I know there is a fella on Travis with a 353... mayhaps I can bum a ride someday. Then to find a 382 to put my hands on. Trying to balance the family against speed addiction is difficult to say the least. You guys are great, thanks for all the replieS thus far!

Couple hundred hours in dozens of different v bottoms and my only bad days must've been those driving fastecs. Thanks for pointing that out

Ok...last silly question for tonight. Freeboard and visibility. Sad to say but I am damn near a midget. At 5'6" it gets difficult to see. Even in my Heat, I have stand up. I looked at an Outerlimits Stiletto last year and seriously could barely see over the dash. I suppose this is definitely where a hands on test will be best, but you guys get the gist I am sure. I love drop out bolsters and utilize mine quite frequently. Thanks guys and good night.

Just about all stepped hull boats will do a tail stand before coming over on plane. At 5'6" you will have an issue, my 292 is hard to see over with me being 5'11". Add 9 more feet of bow and it will be a biotch.

Jay, I just sold my 2000 - 382 with 500EFI's and absolutely loved everything about it, ride, comfort, cabin, etc. I owned it for 10 yrs and had it when my kids were young and we enjoyed many overnighters in it. I would do it all over again. I ran with a few 35's and one other 382 when the water got snotty the 35's didn't handle it like the 382's.

JB

Thanks for the input. Being a little guy has its advantages, like shopping in the kids section and hiding in crowds, but sucks when it comes to motorsports. Dirt bikes are too tall, boats are too long and lifted trucks are impossible to get into.

As of now, I am excited about a new ride. But first the fun of selling my Nordic. Gonna work on getting my chubby little fingers on one of each model I am interested in. You guys are great, thanks for the replies and happy boating until my next random question/thought.

If you are looking for a 353 fastech there is a deal on Power Boat Swap Shop 99 353 fastech guy claims 100 mph boat supper clean for 79,900 all white his name is Michael Botelho . Your welcome

That boat is local to me

[QUOTE=Jay Gadsby;4340678]Thanks for the input. Being a little guy has its advantages, like shopping in the kids section and hiding in crowds, but sucks when it comes to motorsports. Dirt bikes are too tall, boats are too long and lifted trucks are impossible to get into. [quote]

The good news for you is the 353 and 382 Fastechs have double-tiered and power adjustable footrests at the helm. 5'8" and no problem ever looking over the windshield/bow of my 382.

I have to chime in as well that all deep Vs roll over in turns. Even my little 22.5 degree V hull rolls way over.

That's not true. Drop your tabs. Mine barely breaks the horizon. Easier in the drive train and pops out of the hole faster.

I was thinking the same thing. With 1/2 tab I don't remember ever having the bow go high enough I couldn't see ahead even while leaning back in the bolster.......but I am 6ft :)

If you burry the tabs in a 382 taking off, you can sit down and drive it, absolutely no bow rise and easier on the drives!!!

I'm 5'6" and the majority of the time when cruising in my 292 I'm sitting with the bolster seat all the way up. My view is right over the windshield and it is just fine and I don't get a face full of wind. I will lower the bolster and stand when running in the rough stuff.

Tabs down and drives tucked, no issue here at all.

382 w/700's launches out. No tab. Pulling a horse on skis.......well maby not. The electric footrests are nice though. I'm 6'4" and usually stand in the lower.....

Haha, fancy stairs are good. Gotta love OSO...no shortage of people to fill you up with info.

Ok...so lazy man question. I see the graphics and such are painted on with Imron paint. What can one expect to keep a high shine on these. Is the entire hull cleared or just the deck? Texas sun is a beast to say the least (unintentional rhyme) and do not relish the thought of buffing 35 feet of fiberglass weekly ;) thanks guys

Make sure you can store and launch the bigger boat in your area. I was looking at some 382s and 38 PQs but I am glad I went with my 336. It eats a whole side of my barn as it is and none of the launches have long enough docks for it, let alone a boat 5 feet longer.

I have two kids and that is why I went with a Formula for the room. I have no problem sleeping two adults and two kids, and with the camper canvas makes the back seat an option too if the kids are fighting that day

Jay, you have seen my Imron graphics, stays up and keeps a shine very nice. Good Luck with your sale!!!

Word! I like a clean boat, but am not getting any younger. On a positive note, the kids will get older and can help out.

I do a full exterior detail once per season at the beginning. After that just a quick polish with the palm orbital, because it beats hand waxing, here and there.

I did do a light wet sand from the rub rail down this season. Gel was getting a little hazy from fender chaff's and a few other marks weren't allowing me to get the shine I prefer. So a little 2000 grit and 3M brought her back just how I wanted.