496HO or MERC 300`X OB
 

I know preference is everything but if the cost are the same which power would be most beneficial on a 30 cat. I love the sound of the I/O BUT the stock 496 is my dilema. I dont think I can afford the 500`s, it would be a no brainer if I could. I just wonder if the OB`S would be a plus against these I/O`S. I wanna hear your 2 cents worth. Lately with all the hype on db levels, going to lakes nearby is gonna raise some serious debate with the I/O`S. I`m not trying to talk myself into OB`S, I just never owned one and was wondering if I would regret it dwn. the road. That rumble still sways me big time!!!

s2l i thank the outboards are right fast on the cats over 114 mph not bad for the price saving

Definitely outboards, better fuel economy, less weight, less maintenance, cheaper, easy to work on, prob. faster, more cockpit space ( move rear bench back)

The cost/weight benefit analysis leans to the side of outboards. Many of the aforementioned point are correct. With the new sportmaster gear cases if you run the boat properly and avoid shifting while engine is running when possible and change gear lube frequently and run AMSOIL NOT MERC oil they will last you a LOOONNNGG time! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to PM me.

Shane:cool:

Shane has brought up a subject I would like some input on. Who uses AMSOIL in their HP outboards? Which product at what ratio?
If you have oil injection the ratio is preset? What RPM'S are you comfortable with at said ratio?

Fever Mike, I`m beginning to favor the OB`s for the very reasons mentioned here....Besides the second person I was counting on with the I/O might be fallen hard if Verizon has there way on this next cost cutting measure. So I need to downgrade and yes the Spectre is what I`m looking at. I`m in the OPBA are u? No, wont be doing the poker run cause I`m trying to sell my Donzi and I tend to drive it hard in poker runs and dont want to chance anything going wrong while it`s for sale..I try not to go hard ,then someone comes up on me and here we go"HAMMER TIME" It`s just best I stay away. Yeah,Jay makes a killer boat and I`m trying to swing it myself.:D

Once you go into a CAT W/ OUTBOARD'S you will never go back to a VEE!!!!!!!!

ViciousOne

Speed2Lead,

I have owned both and can tell you if you have ever heard the X's run (which they like to run high RPM's), they sound like a airplane engine. They have an awesome high end sound that is almost just as exciting (you know what I mean) as an I/O.

OSO

Thanks Playn !!!!! Some thing happend to my pc and I cannot get my attachments to come up ! Thank's for pulling it up! Spark.