Looking to do an older 353 Fastech....
 

Ok Fountain was sold a while back to make room for a SeaRay then that SeaRay was too small. Next SeaRay was right size but now kids are in Hockey and Figure Skating along with other school and friend activities.
What does all this mean?
I'm ready for a Chain O Lakes toy with enough room to bring an extra kid or 2 along, run around wide open all day, then go back home and sleep in my own bed without any kids and wife in each other's face.
Anybody know of or even own one that is for sale?
Looking for as unmolested one as possible without blue motors or 496HO's.... That, I guess leaves me with 502Mags.

Good amount of older 353s on boat trader. Too bad your not looking for 525s, mine is listed.

You run the Chain of Lakes in IL just south of the Wisconsin border? That's where my Formula came from

Yep, That be the place.
Nice boat Rob...Too nice for the Chain.

A nice MCOB would be nice for that place, seems like a waste for an offshore boat

I know of a clean 382 with 500s. Not sure if you want to go that big but it's a heck of a boat.

You are a lucky guy! i got a 98 353 with 502s ... ON THE CHAIN!!! Even have a 10k lb lift i would prob sell with it.

I'll Inbox you some info

I'm all ears. Have looked at a few but haven't found one that does it for me.
I would consider either model.
Post pics or email me some.
Rob your 353 is beautiful.

Thank you very much! Took a few seasons to get it really the way I wanted, I'm a detail nut and bolt guy so it makes perfect sense to sell now that I'm done, right? I'm ready to move into a 700 boat, its just I don't look forward to getting something else and starting over. Thanks again on the compliments, I know it will make the next owner very happy.

So what kind of speed can I expect out of a 353 with 500EFI's

I have an 05 with 500efis and XR drives. Hit 79 this summer with 30p 4 blades. Boat came with 26p 5 blades and I was told it would hit 81 but that seems optimistic. Best I saw with the 5 blades was 75.

Mine will do 80 - 81 w 500 efi's and 4 blade 30 P props, XR drives, moderately loaded, in the ocean.

Bill, what year is your boat? Did it come with 5 blades and you switched to 4?

Mine is a 2000, came with labbed bravo 30P 4 blades (per Brett at BBlades Formula supplied labbed props on these boats). It has the higher x dimension also by the way since the 'Silent Thunder' box has a raised portion over each drive. I'm happy with these props, comes right up on plane just tucking the drives in and I haven't heard any faster speeds (i.e. stock boat) with 5 blades and the 4 blades are easier on the drives and I've had no drive issues.

I took a quick last run of the season and clicked off 80@5100rpm. This was with less than 1/2 tank of fuel in 1' chop. Again here is my specs. 500EFI's, std 1.5 Bravos, std 30" Bravo 4 blades.
I'm thinking 2 mph with less fuel and more time to trim it out.
Not to mention the original plug wires from 1Q/99...

Noticed my HPs have the original Mercruiser wires from 1995. I would like to change them out to the long style plug wires, with the GIL exhaust it is a pain to reach the 90 degree style wires. Sounds like she is pretty strong hitting 80

Yes I'm happy with it.
Maybe a set from Jegs or Summit racing will suit you.

These are some pretty strong numbers I'm reading. I've always been a fan of the 353s but never paid much attention to their performance numbers. Per BoatTest 525s in them is an 80mph boat, so 500s hitting 79-80 puts a smile on my face as I'm seeing more and more 353s on the market with 500s. I'm even reading that the 496s are a 73-75 MPH boat.

Boat Test was off with the 525 #s a properly set-up 353 will run 83-85 MPH real numbers.

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Testing a pic upload

Lets try this again

Ok so now I cant delete that last photo without deleting post

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I have an 05 353 low hours on 496 HO Mags and I am right in IL

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/boa/5440523826.html

Let me know your thoughts
Dennis

He already bought one lol

I think it's kind of pricey.