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Being a river boater from the Midwest and new to VA, looking for input on where the Hydra-Sports line falls, how they perform in the Bay, etc. Looks like a 32 Pro Line Express and a 33 Hydra-Sports Express are fairly comparably priced in the 2004 & 05 range though you can mount 3 - 250s on the Hydra where the Pro Line's usually have 2 - 250HP. I kind of like the idea of having a little extra MPH in reserve if you need it but I'll give up 10 mph for a better ride/performance package. Would like to cruise 32+ and WOT 40-50 is more fine.
Hydra sport is a heavy and thirsty deep vee but you will always get back safe! She likes power and if you give it to her she will perform! They have been making quality boats for a long time!
I have tested the 3300vx a couple of times and I think it is a good solid ride. with 3 F250s it will hit 50mph WOT maybe one or two mph more if lucky. the fuel burn is rarely much better than 1 mpg according to the guages on the boats I was on. cruise in the mid 30s is easy. for me the boat would be underpowered with 2 F250s although there are some for sale configured like that. I have seen the proline 32 express art boat shows and it certainly has a lot of room and features for the price. haven't been on one though. if you are planning a lot of offshore runs my guess is the HS would be a better boat. the proline may have more cruiser type amenities and better fuel economy than the HS.
I own a 2005 hydarsoprt 33vx with twin 250 e-tecs and let me say its under powered. It tops out at 38-39MPH TRIMMED OUT WITH A FULL LOAD AND 2-3 PEOPLE ON BOARD SO IT MIGHT DO 40-41MPH LIGHT LOAD. Other than it being slow I am very happy with it!!! In terms of a ride in rough water ill put it up against any other cc style boat out there I dont know the weight of mine but there cc version (same hull)weighs the same as another brands 39 ft cc that says something about the rough water ride. If you want a rocket ship get a yellowfin, if you want a fast battletank fishing machine get the hydrasport just make sure to put trips or even better twin 350's. I also love the vx because we can sleep 3comfy +more if you want and you have the comforts of home ac,fridge,shower,hotplate etc.
I looked at it, don't like it. No windshield except for a small one for the capt. If you put plastic all the way around, then that is what you have to look through for navigation w/ no wipers to clear away any spray. Cabin is too small for a 33 footer. It's the same as my 2900vx, just a little more beam. The new 35 has the same issues.
I have tested the 3300vx a couple of times and I think it is a good solid ride. with 3 F250s it will hit 50mph WOT maybe one or two mph more if lucky. the fuel burn is rarely much better than 1 mpg according to the guages on the boats I was on. cruise in the mid 30s is easy. for me the boat would be underpowered with 2 F250s although there are some for sale configured like that. I have seen the proline 32 express art boat shows and it certainly has a lot of room and features for the price. haven't been on one though. if you are planning a lot of offshore runs my guess is the HS would be a better boat. the proline may have more cruiser type amenities and better fuel economy than the HS.
I also tested the HS 33 VX and can confirm the poor fuel economy. The best we got was 1.1 mpg with 3 guys and a lite load. The boat had triple F250's and you had to really nail the throttles to get the boat up and on plane. It was tough to get the bow down even with the tabs down.
I also didn't like having the plastic up because it gets hard to see through as soon as the salt from spray dries, and no sprayers mades it tough to live with. For a 33' boat I thought it had a small cabin too. I noticed the driver sitting sideways somewhat at the helm because the seat was too tight to the console and it couldn't be adjusted aft. ( no he wasn't a big guy either )
I've also been on the PL 32 Express and while it has attractive lines I can't bring myself to trust the management of that company. I've read of too many PL owners whose boats had serious problems and management gave them nothing but a hard time. One owner on the below thread reported fuel economy less than 1 mpg, for a 32' boat with twin Verado 250's thats very poor.
Additionally, check out these pictures of the PL 32 showing a very poor hull to deck joint. It doesn't even have a backing strip, just glue and screws.
The HS 3300VX is a fantastic all-around boat. It's not meant to be solely a cabin boat, if it was the cabin would start where the center console is. Instead they made a layout with a lounge in front of the center console that is perfect for cruising, with a cabin that can sleep 5, or 6 if your close with your friends and a great rear cockpit for fishing. I have a 2006 3300VX with twin F250's and feel that it's one of the best multi-purpose boats on the market in its size.
I like the fishability of center consoles, but you can't overnight on one and you just don't get a "protected" feeling on one in bad weather. The 3300VX feels much more protected than the CC, even without the eisenglass up. I never put the eisenglass up because as some of the other posters have said, the stuff that comes from the factory is utterly useless after it gets sprayed and you can't see anything. If you spent the money on a good strataglass, etc enclosure I'm sure it would be different. I just like the visibility with nothing there.
As far as the ride goes, it's a very heavy boat that plows through waves very well and delivers a soft ride. Unless you are running 50+ on top of the waves like a yellowfin, I don't know how you'd get a better ride with a lighter boat. Cruising 30 in rough water I appreciate the weight of the hull. Like others said above I don't usually get better than 1-1.1 mpg and with only twin 250's cruise all day at 30 knots and top out at 36 knots. If you are going to be worried about burning gas everytime you're out, get a different boat. I don't think the difference between getting 1.1 mpg and 1.4 mpg which is probably the best any other boat in this size and configuration gets is worth sacrificing the ride. If you can choose the power you're getting I would get triples, which get the same mpg as twins, or if repowering go with twin 350 verados. I tested 4 boats with Verado 300's and both Verado 350 boats at the Miami show and in my opinion they are in a whole different league than the Yamaha's. Twin V-350's on my boat would definitely wake it up a bit more and probably deliver as good or better fuel economy.
Good luck on the search, there are definitely some good deals out there.
I must disagree on the small cabin! If you want a big cabin you should be looking at a 33ft rampage express and not a 33ft center console hull hydrasport.
As far a the small windshield thats what makes the boats fell opened and you have the nice seating up front and you have the option of totaly removing the plastics in 5 minutes or unzipping and rolling up the window sections.
I bought the hydrasport because I was going to buy the centerconsole but then I saw the vx and realized I can have, Heat, ac, fridge, hotplate, beds,shower and I still have a center console , performance,PRICE,weight,looks,and I can still trailer it. People don't realize its the same hull as the center console. catch my drift???
I haven't seen the 33 but do own a smaller HS Vector. They make good quality boats, that are like everybody has said thirsty. Everything is a compromise though and you'll get a good ride. The model your looking at seems like the perfect application for the new F-350's.
I agree with the last poster. Quality-wise HydraSport and Proline are in different categories. Between the two, the HS is better built. I have the Pursuit 33 which is similar sized and a great cruise/fish boat. If you don't need the front seating area of the HS, the Pursuit is worth a look. Grady White also makes a nice 33.
As others have noted you're comparing apples/oranges both in layout/design as well as perceived quality. You need to decide whether the classic express (Proline) with full windshield and larger cabin and larger cockpit is a better fit for you than the Hydrasport which has a lot more seating in the helm area but has a smaller cabin, smaller cockpit, and smaller windshield (or curtains). My experience has been that when women are involved, a full windshield is much appreciated.
If you decide on the classic express style then you should take a look at the Pursuit and Grady 33 Expresses as they would be more comparable to the Hydrasport than the Proline. If you decide on the more open helm deck with more seating then Intrepid also makes some models in that style you might also consider.
Great feedback, really appreciate it. I'll take a look at some of the other recommendations. I think the craft will be used 30-40% fishing, 30-40% cruising-probably Bay and ICW, rest just dinking around on the James River and it's tributaries. Probably won't sleep on the boat more than 3 or 4 times a year.
And yes, there will be a woman involved most of the time so that has to be taken into consideration. (she haits my Basscat Cougar but that's a good thing)
Have you looked at the new Everglades 35? Beautiful boat with trips. I saw the Hydra Sport a few years ago and liked the center lounge area and smaller cabin. Heavy boat. The new pursuit express is nice also. the outboards will give you the top end speed I dont have with the inboard express.
I agree that everglades may have the best version of this express/centerconsole boat style with a winshield and the forward seating has enough leg room for adults and is comfortable. they also have A/C at the helm deck. $350K plus tax plus electronics is a big pile of fun tickets however, and there are lots and lots of choices for boats when you get in this price range.
I have an H/S 2800 Vector and used to own a P/L 27' W/A. These boats aren't even on the same planet. Hydra Sports are 10 times the boat. My Vector is a Great rough water boat. The old ProLine would Beat You To Death in anything over 3'. The ProLine is not built anywhere as well (I should know P/L had mine back to the factory 3 times before they had to make me a NEW Boat)
The Hydra Sports is a Tank. Fit and Finish is great. I have had mine for a year and other than putting wedges on it, I haven't touched it. When it comes time to move up again. I will buy another!
Another thing is I got my 33vx out the door for $160-170 with out electronics. I doubt anyother boat in its class could come close. As far as the proline goes The only time I saw it was real quick 10 years ago at a dealer and I just remember it looking cheap....I remember the caucking looking like crap.
I have owned a 3300 vector and my friends (SeaDation) currently own the express with triple F250's. Very seaworthy boats with good construction quality. They just ran down to the keys in some pretty gnarly weather. Both boats need a lot of tab to keep them from being very bow-up
Since you are looking at a used 3300VX, you won't find one with F350's. As MadDoc mentioned, we have triple F250's and the boat performs well with that power. Economy is right with the twins (1.0 to 1.1 MPG) but will cruise a little faster, plus the ability to plane with 2 motors if one fails. The boat is really sweet and the family loves it. H-S sold a lot of the 3300VX's so there are deals to be had. No experience with the PL to comment about.
Of note, there are no more new 3300VX's being built. The 3500VX has replaced it. Now when Hydra-Sports makes a VX model of their new 41, I just may have to part with my 3300.....
33 Hydra-Sports 3300VC Express opinions vs ?? 
catch my drift??? 
(she haits my Basscat Cougar but that's a good thing)
