Changes to 353 since inception
08-03-2007, 07:21 PM
#11
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I have Formula literature thru 2004, and they claim it weighes 8575lbs(1998-2004). The web specs for 2007 say 9500lbs? I know ac became an option after 04', but I dont know where the rest of the weight came from. I know that from at least 88' thru 98' they used Ashlands AME4000 resin in the layup, and in 99' Ashland calls it AME5000. When I bought my 98', I called Ashland and they said the new name went with new EPA standards, but not any real differences in the material. The 311 measures in @ 33ft with the platform, and it is big for a 31 footer. The 353, comes in @ 35'3", so thats a little over 2 ft longer, but the 353 is narrower from the windshield forward, making the cabin not as roomy. Back to the weight issues, I believe Formula isnt always truthfull about the weight of there boats, and here are 2 examples. My 311 on its trailer weighed in at 11300lb, minus the trailer(also weighed separately @2840lb)= 8460lbs. With gas and gear on it at the time(around 300lbs) that brings it in @ around 8200lbs(it also had aluminum heads and exhaust), so I'm thinking 8400 lb stock, the specs say 7400lbs. My 353 was 12200lbs on its trailer,and while I haven't weighed the trailer yet we're still in the 9300/9400lb range. I don't think the 353 got heavier, I think Formula got more honest. Maybe fatter is better now??
08-04-2007, 06:44 AM
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How balanced do you find the 353? I've not driven one yet, but they seem a bit tail heavy from watching them ride why not running flat out. If I recall, Powerboat reported that they lost their sightine until the boat come up on plane.
08-04-2007, 10:19 AM
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I can only compare the 353 to a 311, my 311 would run in the upper 70's, but that was with alot of trim and no tab. When that boat flew you can feel the back drop and the bow come up, sometimes scary... To get it fast it needed to be loose. The 353 on the other hand( has alot more power) rides and flys level, with just enough drop out back to let you know the bow isn't going to stuff. My 353 isn't a regular one though(Procharged 509's, Imco boxes, 1"shorty imco lowers), but I'd bet to say that most 353 owners would have the same opinion as me. The faster it goes the more stable and smoother the ride gets. It doesn't feel as fast as your going(97mph so far). The tabs and drives seem alot more sensitive on this hull then on the 311, and its kind of hard to get the boat loose(good thing or bad thing?). I'm really happy with the ride and handling of this boat, and would recommend a 353 to anybody looking at them. As far as planing goes, I have 1.36 gears, with 32p Bravos, and I try to take it easy on the drives when coming up on plane. The load of people and gas seems to determine the length of time it takes to plane, but I don't lose sight(I do stand though). Drives in, tabs at 4, half throttle and I wait, the boat plows for a few seconds, exhaust is quiet, and then the boat pops, blowers whine, exhaust gets loud, and its going 40mph. I would say my experience isnt normal 353 though, the Prochargers bring on power after 3000rpm, and its geared and proped to go 100mph. With 1.5 gears and proped to go 80mph, I'd venture to say the boat would pop on plane, my 311 did. Here is a picture my buddy took, I was feeling happy and blasting around Sandusky Bay like a kid on a jet ski, I had the drives around 5 and the tabs at 2(pretty conservative), I went past him at 92mph.
08-04-2007, 11:08 AM
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When the Anderson family raced their 353 pleasure boat in F2 they did great. It was not even a race boat and that thing rocked. I always wondered what a purpose built 353 F2 race boat would of done in offshore racing.
08-04-2007, 12:25 PM
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If you are considering a 353,spend 20 minutes in one and all your questions will be answered. Except for my 1968 Switzer,the 353 is my favorite boat of all time.
Last edited by Magicfloat; 08-04-2007 at 12:29 PM.
08-04-2007, 12:30 PM
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I can only compare the 353 to a 311, my 311 would run in the upper 70's, but that was with alot of trim and no tab. When that boat flew you can feel the back drop and the bow come up, sometimes scary... To get it fast it needed to be loose. The 353 on the other hand( has alot more power) rides and flys level, with just enough drop out back to let you know the bow isn't going to stuff. My 353 isn't a regular one though(Procharged 509's, Imco boxes, 1"shorty imco lowers), but I'd bet to say that most 353 owners would have the same opinion as me. The faster it goes the more stable and smoother the ride gets. It doesn't feel as fast as your going(97mph so far). The tabs and drives seem alot more sensitive on this hull then on the 311, and its kind of hard to get the boat loose(good thing or bad thing?). I'm really happy with the ride and handling of this boat, and would recommend a 353 to anybody looking at them. As far as planing goes, I have 1.36 gears, with 32p Bravos, and I try to take it easy on the drives when coming up on plane. The load of people and gas seems to determine the length of time it takes to plane, but I don't lose sight(I do stand though). Drives in, tabs at 4, half throttle and I wait, the boat plows for a few seconds, exhaust is quiet, and then the boat pops, blowers whine, exhaust gets loud, and its going 40mph. I would say my experience isnt normal 353 though, the Prochargers bring on power after 3000rpm, and its geared and proped to go 100mph. With 1.5 gears and proped to go 80mph, I'd venture to say the boat would pop on plane, my 311 did. Here is a picture my buddy took, I was feeling happy and blasting around Sandusky Bay like a kid on a jet ski, I had the drives around 5 and the tabs at 2(pretty conservative), I went past him at 92mph.
