Mark D

Anybody thought about it?

The Whipple Charger ad states you can bolt a Whipple Charger specially made for the new HP525 & bolt it on in 6 hours.
It will take the HP525 to 775 hp in an afternoon, not having to modify any of the components of the boat or engine.

Suddenly the XR drive would be the weak link. I understand that thing's good to about 650 hp with a Drive Shower.

Anyway, my service man is a certified Mercury Racing Mechanic & we were discussing perhaps doing this to my 04' 29' Fountain after the warranty goes.
The main issue at this point is the drive options to handle the extra hp.

(I have a lot of guys gunnin' for me in my neck of the woods).

Anybody know of a Whipple Charged HP525 29' Fountain yet??
Thoughts?

gferdon

I would bet that everyone with a 525 has thoughts along these lines...relatively small investment for such a huge return. As you stated, the problem would be weakness of the drive unit. You may want to consider upgrading to an imco, or the like, if only for reliability. Like many of us, I do not like surprises, especially expensive ones. But the money is often secondary to the downtime. It always seems that a failure happens at the wrong time...just before a poker run, family outing, etc. And the answer from the technicians is always the same, it's the busiest time of year and parts are on back order. All boat manufacturers should include a complete spare power package with each unit sold...yeah sure! Of course if I were you I would do it anyway!

On my twin 6.2s, supercharging would be impractical for many reasons...room being the main. It appears as if the scorpion (377 blue engines) are becoming more reasonable in price and are supposed to deliver a bit more than the stated horsepower and torque. My plan is to replace my stock 6.2s with the scorps when the time comes. We shall see.

Take it easy Mark...

G-

nolimits

Mark...

I can assure you that I think of little else. I have been told by my "blown boating buddies " to not charge it. Reason;
For almost the same money that it would cost to charge it, you could put an after market engine in with 750 HP that will do the same thing. Except that it will last longer (the claim is that 100 - 150 hrs on blown motor and you need to redo valves etc.). In the end people also don't like buying boats with altered (blown engines). Your value goes down. If you but the new motor, you always have the original to put back in.

I still want to put a blower on my 525?? I am glad I have the season to explore this. Your desire for speed and mine are identical. Looking forward to peoples response to this.....

Steve

Mark D

I'm with you guys on the issues.

Reliability, resale, downtime, more $ to throw at the drive, etc.

I understand that the Merc Blue motors can handle the Superchargers better due to using Forged vs. Cast pistons & a Roller Valvetrain, etc.
The HP525 needs freshening anyway I hear after 250-300 hours even if it's just springs.

For example the HP575 seems to be reliable with a factory Blower. My dealer runs a 36' Spectre with HP575's. He runs labbed Herrings & has gone 136 mph. This configuration has been bulletproof for 2 hard Poker & Fun Run seasons without a hickup. With the exception of a blown XR drive.

I also need my boat to stay running & reliable because I convinced my wife to get rid of a comfortable Sea Ray for this Fountain, telling her it is nice family boat. Heh.
I cannot imagine paying for this boat all winter & then have it "down with an issue" during the summer. Something to think about.

But I am most interested in any feedback from somebody who has done this or perhaps a review on it from a mag.
I definately don't want to be the test mule...

Something fun to talk about in February....

nolimits

You told your wife what???? I am laughing so hard that I am crying.... Just kidding....

I think your point on the 575's is a great one. How come they seem to last so long vs. the standard after market stuff. I think thats the point, they must be made differently with probably less boost. I will be watching with you.


Steve

gferdon

Glad Steve said it first...you told your wife what????

No doubt you also pointed out the abundance of usable storage space, above and below decks as well as the generous amount of headroom in the cabin!!! I too am laughing so hard it hurts, but unlike Steve, I am NOT kidding!!!

Later,

G-

BTW , don't any of us work??

nolimits

I wasn't kidding either Gary, I was just concerned Mark's wife might have become suspicious and is now reading this thread. I was trying to provide "plausable deniability". But now that thats blown...... How about thye stove, fridge and generator?? The insurance must have gotton swept under the rug as well...

Mark D

Here's the classic:
When I told the insurance agent that I traded the Sea Ray in for a Fountain, he says...."So Mark, are you still married?"

Well guys I am in the sales industry so I sold my wife...
But in fairness the Fountain is a safer family boat than this Sea Ray I had. We have a beach cabin so we don't overnight really or vacation on board. I had this 24' open bow Sea Ray with a EFI 5.7 litre. We had a Carver cruiser prior & I dumped that for the bow rider since we used the cabin all the time when the kids were born. I told her we needed a nice offshore style boat for the safety of the family in the open water.............Heh.....
I sold the wife on the Fountain by stating that we no longer would be taking water in the bow, she has a place to pee, she can get the kids out of the sun, so on & so forth.

It was a cakewalk up until I wanted to upgrade the 496HO to the HP525.......But I got it done.

gferdon

Bet you could sell the Pope a double bed!!

nolimits

Yes, the 525 HP is a much stronger motor that will undoubtadly last many years longer than a 496 HO. You get what you pay for ..... why not spend a small amount more on yourself........ Shouldn't you get anything out of this............... after all you work hard.............................................. on and on................

Mark, your my kind a guy - This is what I sounded like with my first wife......