If you are looking for a real wave crusher, I'd check out GregP's 402. That is a lot of boat for short money.

cuda, I'd look long and hard at that boat - if I had the scratch. Just doing some research now; we're hoping to be in a good position this winter, maybe this fall.

Best part about a big lead sled like that one is that you may not be fastest, but you don't have to slow down for much... :D

357 Top Speed
 

I was a little surprised a the top speed figures listed on this string. I just bought an '85 357 SR1. The hull has 700 hours on it and the engines have 80. They are B&M blown 454s (540hp each). That will push the boat to 76 mph (confirmed on gps). I was thinking that with more prop it would be faster. Right now it will turn 5,200 rpm without any trim at all. So, I figured more prop would let me get more trim at the same rpm and hence more spee. But, after reading some of the strings and looking at how much this thing weighs I am wondering now if it will ever do 80. Any opinions?

Not likely.

Re: 357 Top Speed
 

Once you get to 70 mph, the speed get EXTREMELY costly to improve. I think by the time you saw 80, you'll wish you had bought a different boat.

That being said, there aren't many boats going to pass you at 76 in a poker run. Many of the lighter, faster boats can't take the beating in the slop of a poker run. The big ol' Formula will just crush it's way through!:)

dockrocker,
I have the boat your looking for, great ride and performance. Its a 1988 F311SR1 with 530 HP 454's, bravo drives. See the classifieds

dockrocker,

I'm not sure if you'd be interested but there is a 1986 357 in Ft. Lauderdale at Banyan Bay Marina. I have not seen it. I do know that it needs power and trans. (missing). I spoke with Eric at 954-893-0004. They were asking like 16k, but are down to 12k. Sounded interseting. Alas, I need a smaller boat. Good luck.

bryanspeedracer,

thanks for heads up - alas, I need a bigger wallet! :D Actually, we've managed to get a couple of "other" issues squared away and might be in the market come next fall - hoping next season is our last boatless one!

Dockrocker,

Ahh yes, I suffer from the same sickness- myfundsalow.

It seems that only two boats exist.

!. Ultra expensive ones that I'll never own
2. Someone elses headache.

Good luck

357sr1
 

Dockrocker,
I bought the boat your talking about,in june I think.
The broker was allstar marine on jefferson ave. I had
the hull & engines surveyed. The hull had one small
scratch. The engines compression test averaged
225lbs. on the port engine & 210lbs. on the star. The
motors are 502s with merlin steel heads bored to
572ci. They are 650hp. not 600hp. Ingnition is all
msd boxes,coils,dist. crane,lunati,these motors are
built with the best parts. I talked to the engine builder
he says the guy had opprox. $60,000 in the engines.
The owner installed no.3 speedmaster drives & reworked trans. Since I've owned the boat I had a
new white rub rail installed,had the scratch fixed,
& installed new white graffrig gauges & graffrig gps
speedometer. It has gaffrig mufflers. I added checkered
race graphics. You'll love the name BAD-ASS. She'll
cruise about, an on a good day with the right temp.
I can run 81-83mph. Rides like a dream. I put on 63
hrs. I only problem I had was a broken hyd. steering
line. This boat has always been on a lift or inside, I
now keep the boat in rack storage. I supprised a lot
of my buddied with go-fast boats with this 357. If your
looking for a hell of a boat buy a 357 you will not be
sorry. The owner was going to lose this boat to the
bank, I paid $59,000. My bank values the boat at
$122,000. give me your e-mail address & I'll send
you some pictures. Good luck finding the boat right
boat I looked for a year.