Been running my 2000 382 with HP500 power and TCM XZ drives. I have a chance to put on a pair or Stelling extension boxes from a 2002 382. We all know what it takes to install these, does the performance and handling gains of putting these on outweigh the trouble and costs of going through this?

Isn't the engine height different on a box boat from the factory?

Hot Water,


All other things being equal, I think boxes might get you 1-3 mph on a 382.
You might want to talk to Lonestar382 on the board here. He bought a 382 from National ( ) that was supposed to have ext. boxes and when it was delivered, it was a non-box boat. They agreed to put boxes on it for him. The boat was never really dialed in on either side of the installation, so no one really knows if there was a gain in performance.

I believe the X-dimension is one inch higher on the boxed boats. You might want to check with the tech guys at Formula (D. Johnson) who should be able to tell you the differences in performance and installation. Let me know if you need specific mearurements that I can take off mine, but consider I do not have Merc motors.

Just curious ... what's the deal with the boat you would get the boxes off of? Is this a parts salvage due to damage or some other catastrophy? If so, any other parts available?

Chris

These are leftover from the Formula 382 that was featured in PowerBoat Mag., it was the one converted to Arnesons. Sorry the boxes and necessary hardware is all that is left.

Gotcha! Should have been able to figure that one out!

Guess I would consider several things:

1.) Marine parts usually sell for 1/2 what they cost new if they are in good condition, which I expect these are. Is the price reasonable?

2.) Technical support at Formula is outstanding. I would definately talk with Darryl about this and consider his input. He is extremely knowledgable about the 382. What does the company think?

3.) I would definately want to have the assistance of someone very experienced in rigging to avoid problems down the road. Who would do the work and how much will the rigging cost?

4.) I think it's really a matter of having the $$ to do this. What would you anticipate to be the total cost of this project given parts, rigging, and an allowance for the "unexpected"? I'm sure you understand that the cost of this addition will not necessarily add an equal amount to the re-sale value of your boat.

All that being said, I would go for it! An opportunity like this rarely presents itself at a reasonable cost. It would probably add a couple mph to your top end, but would definately add a lot of "WOW" factor to the boat ... boxes just look neat as $hit on a 328!

WAGS328 and I are hoping to eventually do a side-by-side comparison of our boats to see if we can detect any significant handling differences between boxed and non-boxed boats. We just haven't had the opportunity to do a "shoot-out" yet. Maybe we need to have some magazine film/photo choppers overhead when we do this!
( Look out Bob Teague!)

The owner of the those boxes is a good friend of mine so I am really not concerned about the price for them. I think most of the cost of performing this job is going to be in the labor. Pull motors install boxes and while the motors are out I am pulling the genset. We don't use the genset much out here in CA. The same shop that did the Arneson conversion is putting on the boxes. I have been told it is going to be about 30 hours.

Thanks for all the input, I am having these put on after I get back from Key West