off the front-

Nice boat. I made that same choice to go bigger a few months ago and glad I did. There is so much more room in a 311.

Don

Good move with the survey. Saved my a$$ a few years back

No offense whatsoever towards the 272, but it just is not the same boat at all as the 311. The difference will just jump at you the first time you board the boat. If finances allow, don't pass up the chance to go with the 311. You won't be sorry.

I have the same color scheme though I have the West Palm graphics, the striping is a bit smaller on the side. I like it a lot, though I would like to replace the magenta with a shade of yellow I saw. It's the same as the photo of the 272, without the tuna tower, or worse, evil bottom paint.

This is not an actual Survey ...he is just going to look at the boat and tell me if its worth flying up to look at and make a deal ....THEN the Survey and sea trial ....Only thing is ... it could be 6-8 weeks before the weather get right in N Michigan ....meanwhile ....if it is a good boat and a good buy ....someone else could buy it ......

I did the same thing back in 2000 when I got mine. Drove to N.H. from Jersey to look at one about this time of year. Looked good...but there was still snow on the ground (so I didn't climb underneath)and the lake was still frozen. Put $1000 down to hold it based on a favorable survey and sea trial. Well , the middle of April came and the snow was gone and numerous stress cracks were found in the bottom also separation in glass between v berth and sides of hull
Long story short , had my deposit back within a week. Best $325 I ever spent(survey). I later found mine in Va.

I will have the survey done ....and will fly up first to look and make the deal ....( I seem to do better face to face with negotiations) ....but is the sea trial necessary ?

Not absolutely necessary , but eliminates "suprizes" when you get it home.
A friend of mine bought a boat from a co-worker and took his word that it ran fine Launched it , went out the creek (no wake) , hit the throttle and less than a mile smelled something burning. It was the exhaust hoses(lack of water). After further investigation the problem was due to a jury rigged water line coming into the engine from the drive. There was also indications of overheating in the engine previously , so the problem must have existed already. Your really better off if you can try it for say an hour. Some idling some running , some WOT , recheck of oil pressure when run hard , and also try a restart when warm. Would you buy a used car without driving it?
I sea trialed mine and could not figure out why the seller was so totally anal about not starting out too fast. AND the fact it had two new engine couplers. Well, two weeks after I bought it , I broke an engine coupler. Turns out BOTH engines were 2" low in the front. My guess is he was breaking couplers and didn't know why and figured he'd dump it on some other poor schmuck.That's why he wanted me to go so easy on it. He knew if it broke , I was outa there. Sure glad I know what I'm doin'