Looks like I may have finally sold my current boat, 1996 Crownline 266LTD. Being picked up on 3-19-12 and heading to FL to be exported to Norway!

I have been shopping for months and still not sure what I want. I found a 1997 Powerquest 380 Avenger in Wisconsin. It is equipped with 502's, but no A/C. I prefer to find one with A/C and a genset would be nice for the wife. The particular one I found has very nice colors given the year. You know the gay graphics that Baja, Powerquest, Fountain and Formula used that era! I have the following questions: What would be a fair price with trailer (dealer asking $59,900)? What speeds do you expect with 502's? It it a well built boat? Any known issues?

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Was about to say i know where a nice one is with AC..

The 97 is a nice boat, it is going to be probably a 68-70mph boat with that power, but will ride VERY nicely and they are cavernous as far room goes. Unless you get into a black thunder you aren't going to find more room than a Powerquest. Another bonus is that the 340 and 380 have probably the best bathroom as far as usability and room and I know your wife would like that. No problems with the 97, should be a solid boat for years to come... As far as price goes I think 60k is a little steep for a 97 w/ 502's... But what do I know??

I have a 2002, awesome boat!! I don't know much about the 502's, but the room and the ride out in the big Lake is great.

I purchased a 1997 Avenger in 2005 with trailer with a little over 200 hours with a condition of 9 out of 10 for 79k. That was just prior to the market/ financial meltdown. My good friend bought a very clean 1997 Avenger with trailer in 2010 for 60k. These were both fresh water Michigan boats. I would say you definitely should have some wiggle room on price and or the dealer throwing in some “ things to sweeten the deal” My boat with stock 502 mpi mags with labbed 3 blade Mirage pluse props spinning in see’s close to 71 on the gps in ideal conditions. My friends boat with 4 blade Hydro motives non-labbed spinning out with HP500s sees the same speed as me. Both are great solid boats with great room for what they are. If I was to consider getting another “Reasonably priced Offshore” I would be looking at a newer Avenger say 2003 model year and up with a stepped hull and bigger power to get close to the 80 mph range. Other than the non stepped Avengers not being the fastest things out there they are great boats. About the only weakness on the earlier Avengers are the sliding cabin doors, which I have corrected and improved over the original factory install.

I think the posted comments have helped me with my decision to go with a Powerquest next.

Our "short list" had included Formula 336SR-1, Formula 353 Fastech Donzi 33ZX, Baja 342, Powerquest 340. Wife really wants a cruiser, I said no way, were are not even 40 yrs old yet! After seeing the prices, I had realized that a 38 Powerquest or Baja 38 Special could be bought for about the same. Seems that the general consensus is that the Powerquest is a much better built boat.

You won't be disappointed

I have been in both and the quality of PQ is far superior.