The 312 is actually a pretty small boat when you're comparing to some of the others on the list.

The 353 will be a great boat that holds it's value while still being rather easy to get into from a price perspective. Luxury is way up there and the boat will definitely perform - moderate power, say from a 500 EFI, will get you comfortably into the upper 70's/80. There have been a few here that have touched the upper 90's with bigger power. The only wood in the structure is the transom so that's a bonus, too.

I'd also give Sonic a look. Nice rough water boats that are comfortable - and you can stand up in the cabin.

Always go bigger than you think - two-foot-itus sucks.

Lastly... how the heck did Sea Ray and Cobalt make it to the list?! This is OffshoreOnly, isn't it? Lol.

Happy hunting!

Yes, 312, not 311 for the FASTech. That is my bad.

I have a heat..older one with a straight bottom.97....as indy said the cabin is huge for a 28 footer but they are not great on rough water. The straight bottom seems to handle it a little better as compared to my buddy's which was as a stepped bottom. Takes a lot of power to get them to move being a big single....his with a stock 500 efi ran 70ish and was stepped. Mine with 1000 runs upper 80's but am still a long way off with prop testing/tuning. I'm expecting low-mid 90's all said and done but that's a big blown eif motor which is not cheap and not true turn key and go boating. I absolutely love the boat and have wanted one since the first time I saw one almost 20 years ago which is why I have put so much time and money in it but I would love more rough water capability. Being a big 28 it should handle true 3-4's but it will beat the sh!t out of you if you try it. I would say from everything I've seen and read that a 28 sonic or pantera or formula will do circles around mine in anything over 2 ft. It's hard for me to let mine go being I have put realistically double or more in it than what it's worth but I am looking to move into something more rough water capable with twins. A 31 sonic is on my short list...I think overall its not a terrible amount bigger than my heat but is much more capable with a good sized cabin and still runs decent with mild power.

Just my thoughts/experience. Good luck!!

That's a good point. That scarab is so far away from me though. There's not much that I'm finding in my area that's really fitting the bill. I might look at the 28 victory tomorrow, it's at a broker. The 32 is in Arizona. I'm not wanting to drive so far but I may have to.

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This one is less than your new $75K budget. Has A/C too.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2004...dster-8256459/

These boats have a big wide/tall boat feel. Not bad with 496's either.

You're going to buy a boat and than get a case of wanting something a bit bigger, usually it's about three foot longer. So why not go all in and look at this Cigarette. It may be one of the best boat available.
https://www.offshoreonly.com/classif...un-o83091.html

I'm on an inland lake so there's usually not too much chop, I would imagine any 30+ would smooth it out. My last boat was a 27 and it handled the chop fine until the lake got busy, then I had to watch it.

I'll probably stay away from the Nordic then, slow and smooth I can understand but slow and rough is not for me.

I'm going to take a look at a 28 victory tomorrow if I have time. The 32 is 14 hours from me so I'll look at the close one to get an idea of them. Thanks for the info

I hear you. The 312 in my area has twin 454 EFIs so that's a mood killer right there. I'm going to take a look at it since it's at a broker with the Victory.

I was was thinking 30-32 would suit me but taking your and other members advice I'm going to move toward a 35' with twins.

Sonic might be the compromise I'm looking for, comfortable ride, comfortable cabin that still moves at wot

I appreciate the real world and honest insight. Looks like I'm taking Nordic off the list. I'm feeling like twins are more of a necessity than a luxury at this point anyway.