Decided on a Formula 382
 

Hi Everyone! I've decided on a 382. I think for my needs, it would be the best overall boat. It's fast enough for me, seems to have a good ride, is very well built, hits my budget, and has a roomy enough cabin for overnights.

I have a few leads for some for sale. One is an SR-1 with 502 "blacks." The boat is in excellent condition, and at a reasonable price.

The second is a 382 FasTech with 502 "blacks." This boat is about $20k more and is also in excellent condition.

Do you think the extra $20k for the FasTech is worth it? I do like that it does not have wood stringers, which eliminates potential for stringer wood rot. I know the FasTech is about 6-9 mph faster on the same engines. My priority is keeping maintenance as low as possible, so the biggest benefit would be the composite structure, and elimination of the wood besides the Transom.

I've read that the SR-1 has an arguably nicer ride and handling. Speed is a lower priority for me, so I don't mind sacrificing a few MPH. As I stated, my biggest priority is reliability and low maintenance costs.

With that being said, I'm scoping my search to boats with "black" engines as I've heard they last longer than "blues." Is this true, or are the "blues" just as reliable? Thanks!

In my opinion The blue engines need uppers replaces/ valve train.There is nothing wrong with the black stuff at all. I would go the xtra 20k and get the newer one with the composite if that is in fact what it has. Newer one sounds like is is more maintenance free if there is such a thing in the boating world.

There was an issue with some formulas that the stringers and deck came unbonded. Was a huge/ costly issue. I'm not to up on the problem, but it was discussed on this site in great detail. Do a search for it.

I once owned a 382 with "built" motors......absolutely loved the boat. The black 502mags will burn a little oil but they did when brand new. Keep an eye on oil level and they will run almost forever.

FWIW: a buddy in Hopewell VA is selling his 1998-2000? for $72K and it's immaculate.

I came here to say this. His name is Joey, and either Russ/t500hps or I can get his number for you. He goes back and forth on selling it, and his ad is currently not active. But he'll take a call on it.
The boat is here in Virginia, stored under cover on the trailer, and you won't find one cleaner. He won best appearing boat at Poker Run not too far back, and that was over new $7-figure boats that were in attendance.

1998 Formula 382 FasTech
HP500 Mercury Racing motors (carb I think, not EFI)
$72,500

https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net...og&oe=67E40726

You may want to lower your expectations on any old/used boat.

Buy the newest one you can. Age is a factor on ALL of these performance a boats regardless of condition. Survey...survey....survey. It's worth the coin.

I had an sr1 but would really go stepped hull
sr1 felt heavy and slow at 62 mph with 485 hp

nice boats for sure!

I owned an SR-1 hull on a 311 and the stepped 353 FasTech and I would never go back to the SR-1 hull, even though I loved that boat too when I had it. The FasTech stepped hull is just so much more agile, faster and fun to drive... It's definitely worth the extra money IMO.

Check transom.

This is the exact feedback I was looking for. Thank you all so much. Unfortunately the FasTech I was looking for just sold, so the search continues. Thank you again!

Id look for one with blue engines, you'll pay a bit more but the resale will be better

there’s a guy on here with clean 311 sr1 hull with fresh rebuilds for sale that could be a nice fit.

While it may not be a modern boat like the FasTech, my 311 checks the boxes on speed and reliability and half the cost.

509s with AFR heads, closed cooling, and CMI etops. 600 hp each but docile and reliable. Originally 420 TRS - transmissions are awesome compared to Bravos. Full Latham hydraulic steering, tube swim platform, nice sounds system, white rub rail (not so dated).

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...92a133d21.jpeg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8b6b4e5d3.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ceab5d54c.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f39650045.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...23d1225c6.jpeg

35k on the trailer but open to reasonable offers. Need to get my Bullet ready for summer!

Wow! That sure is a beautiful boat! Do 311's have onboard lavs? I'll be moving out to Maryland soon, and plan on using the boat in the Chesapeake and Atlantic, and would like the extra size and weight of the 382, but see the boat is based out of Virginia Beach? Does it deal with the offshore stuff pretty well? Thanks for posting!

"I came here to say this. His name is Joey, and either Russ/t500hps or I can get his number for you. He goes back and forth on selling it, and his ad is currently not active. But he'll take a call on it.
The boat is here in Virginia, stored under cover on the trailer, and you won't find one cleaner. He won best appearing boat at Poker Run not too far back, and that was over new $7-figure boats that were in attendance.

1998 Formula 382 FasTech
HP500 Mercury Racing motors (carb I think, not EFI)
$72,500"

SydWayz/ t500hps... Wow! That sure is pretty! Do you mind PMing me with his info? Unfortunately it looks like the site restricts Private Messages for those members with less than 10 posts. Thanks!

message sent........

Got it! Thank you!

My 311 was a sister to TomZ's (but with Bravo drives). They have a pump-out head and handle the rough well. User friendly and stable at speed (although I only saw 80.3 mph gps).

Bad info. It was not a huge costly issue. A relatively simple fix with usually no paint work. if the rubrail is loose then it needs to be investigated further. The transoms are still wood so check for rot on an older boat. The trim tabs are mounted with large lag screws, Where the indicator/hydraulic goes through the transom is a potential leak into the plywood. The compression fitting that screws into the base plate for the tabs is a potential leak.

Would you go carb or EFI in a 382?