Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

http://www.offshoreonly.com/esvon/page-10933.html

what do you think bern?

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

i want twins due to the fact that im planning on spending soem time in the ocean and want the piece of mind. as far as the speed...in my cat i cruised at 80...reason for gettin rid of the cat is again looking to spend more time in the ocean. thinkin with the 353 still have 5ft on the pantera and could always take the mpi set-up off, replace ignition, intake, cam and carb and have a 500hp...spoke with a shop today that did 2" shorties and hydro px5's on a 353 with 500hp's and picked up 8 mph

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

nice boat but in another 100 hrs your out $10-$16k on rebuilds

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

but then again the Pantera runs 84-85 as is and would be a whole lot easier to trailer...and there alomost the same $$$ so from a "DEAL" stand point the fastec wins

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

I really think there is no comparison between the 353 and the Pantera. If the speed is important then you should have kept the cat :D But you are talking 2 completely different boats. If you want better rough water performance, comfort and amenities, the Formula is the way to go. The Pantera will be fast and likely more fun to drive-although the twin BBC setup still freaks me out, Formulas fly straight and level. I suspect the weight of the Formula is comparable to my 311 and trailering it will not be an issue with a 2500 series truck as long as the trailer is set up correctly. You still have some good choices, keep weeding them out :evilb:

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

Oh BTW, Tyler has a setup to give you 500 hp from the 502 MPI engines and still keep the fuel injection. Trust me, once you have the FI motors you wont go back to a carb motor.

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

Towing isn't that big of a deal...because of the platform the fastech is probably only 2 feet longer than the Cig anyway. Around here we tow everything: 37 AT, 38 Cig, 38 Formula, 42 Sonic, 43 Black Thunder all trailered and stored indoors!!!

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

So the 353 Formula AND the 28 Pantera are both the same size as your boat? :rolleyes: :confused:

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

Bern, You and I both know Barnegat can get pretty snotty at times. I would go with a boat that can handle that. I don't see that 353 having a problem.

Re: OK have narrowed down my choices
 

I would get out of boating before I got a 30 ft'er again..... There were some days we got the crap beat out of us in the Scarab Panther...I mean days were I sprained my wrist from having my arm ripped off the throttle....having a bulkhead separate from the side of the boat...the radio being shot out of the cabinet.... :eek: If I told my wife we were going to run to Pt. Pleasant for the day she would stay home in the fears of the sea breeze picking up in the afternoon.

I think my wife would divorce me if I told her we were getting a smaller boat. And if I did, I guarantee we would be stuck in the river.. :eek: You get to a certain point when you'r sick of the wild ride and you just want to go for a ride and be comfortable....