The Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 vs Mercury DR400 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 at 11,0 ft versus Mercury DR400 2008 at 13,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Mercury DR400 2008 tips the scales at 313 lbs — 295 lbs less than the Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 at 18 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 25 hp for the Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 and 40 hp for the Mercury DR400 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Mercury DR400 2008 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Mercury DR400 2008 could be the deciding factor.
At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 comes in at 1 lbs per hp versus 8 lbs per hp for the Mercury DR400 2008. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.
Bottom line: Choose the Mercury DR400 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 13,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Mercury 350 Ocean Runner PVC (Grey) 2007 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.