i see 20 year old salt water boats with closed cooling. Yes they are in better shape than a open cooling saltwater boat BUT not even close to a fresh water boat. The salt air alone reeks havoc with wiring deck fitttings ...everything. if you have a
choice go with fresh water boat with bravos. Ive been in the boat repair business for 35 years. My advice is good and FREE. 👍

I certainly do not want to start a debate. I live here on the coast. Our shrimp boat lives in mobile bay. Salt water. We fish offshore on the many boats my friends and I have. It is amazing the amount of corrosion that happens in such short time.

That said, if the owner of a boat that uses it in salt water is as particular as I am about mine and I know that for a fact I would purchase from him if the boat is was I wanted. I meticulous clean mine after its trips in the salt water. It is used in fresh 99% of the time.
I'm amazed at how rough some of these mid 2000 model bay boats are that I work on for folks. They go out in the gulf fishing and come home flush the engine and put it away. That isnt sufficient for me. Mine will run of fresh water for almost an hour while I'm washing it and wiping down every possible area I can get.

I bought a fresh boat for a reason.

I ended up with a 311...NOT my original option 311https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...376bd2c332.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e75c38a425.jpg
Plug & Play ready to cruise.Freshwater, Potomac boat. 502s, Latham steering, Keikhaufer tabs, Drive showers, excellent condition, Manning Steel trailer

I haven't read all the replies so some of this might be a repeat.

I owed a 292 SR-1 for many years and had several engine combos in it, starting with the stock 330's. That being said, both boats are within 1 mph of each other, so there is no real penalty going with the 311. The 311 with TRS drives is the best combo. Due to the engines being forward more to accommodate the transmissions, the boat is better balanced. The cabins in the 311 and the 292 are the same, the 311 has a larger engine bay, so that is where the extra length is.

As for speeds, here is what I got with my various combos in my 292. A 311 bravo boat would be the same speed, a TRS boat 1-2 mph slower. All speeds are via GPS.

330s- 64
425s (454)- 69
600 hp- 77 mph. (ITS boxes and -2 drives)
650 hp- 84 mph (ITS boxes and -3 drives)

If you ever go -3 you need to go with 5 blade props. 4 blade bravos work, but getting on plane is no fun. If you go with the TRS boat, you can't really change the prop shaft length, so none of that matters. It it was my pick, I would go with the 311. It's better balanced, easier to work on the engines, stronger drives, and will ride better in rough water.

My sea trial on a calm Potomac River day literally watered my eyes. Since I have limited experience in this size / power / performance boats, I feel the 311 with 502s is plenty of boat for me at least for the next few years.

Now I need a truck that can pull it to Perdido Key, Fl. Tom, come over to N.C. and give me the benefit of your experience. Wax on wax off