IGetWet

Looks like about 7k from the 520 to 540, 3K from 540 to 565, then another 8k to the 600sci

SecondWind

I misread the pricing options on proboats.com. They have the 600SCi priced at $43,995 (engine only) and the 565 priced at $45,795 (w/ transom).

hogie roll

I'd sell the engine and drive and get an SCX and custom power. Or save em for when you sell the boat.

MINK

I agree the scx will be the best bet if you plan to run hard in rough water.

IGetWet

I wish I could jump to the scx right away, but that'll have to wait a season or two. Custom power would be great, I know I'd get more HP for my money, but at some point I would be tuning or screwing with the motor, whereas a Merc racing motor would be almost plug and play and worry free.

IGetWet

I'd love to know if Whipple has anything in the works for any of these motors as far as a supercharger kit like the 525 kit. Called them the other day but the guy I talked to didn't seem to know a thing about it.

jdf4068

U need to talk to dustin at whpple great guy hell he called us a yr later and asked how our whipple did on the wifes jet boat ....

IGetWet

Yea I've tried to PM him 3 times but his inbox is full. Don't know how else to get a hold of a guy.

offshorexcursion

iTrader: (5)

Beautiful boat!

Don't spend a penny on a drive until you upgrade to the SCX upper and SCX lower, seriously. Just fix what you have because none of the "bravo" based versions or upgrades are worth the money.

You will not be happy when you upgrade to a sweet engine, in your badazz boat, only to have to freshen drives every winter, or worse break down during summer.

The Mercury 565 is nice, but its not going to be enough to satisfy, only enough to break drives. You have to look at how much actual speed you will gain for the money. The Mercury 600SCI is a great option though. And there't no way your fuel consuption will be noticeably different with any of these engines.

What about a turn key custom engine package instead of trying to spec your own custom build?

Teague 825EFI http://teaguecustommarine.com/em0011/tcm-825-efi.html

Sterling 750 http://sterlingperformance.org/engin...-boat-engines/

Phaff 825EFI http://www.pfaffengines.com/pfaff_en...INE-825HP.html

Etc.

The ONLY benefit to staying with Mercury power is RESALE, and im sorry but your better off keeping whatever engine you end up with for your next boat or sell it seperately. Thats why a Teague 825 or Mercury 600SCI would be nice, you could keep it and upgrade it later. There's room to grow, and they are worth putting money into once you own it.

Sweet project keep us updated!

IGetWet

Thanks for the compliments offshore! A reputable Bravo builder here on this forum tells me both a bravo X and XR can live with higher horsepower with good parts and sensible driving behind NA motors. Yea if I did go 700+hp I wouldn't trust a X or XR for and hr of running. It is my plan at some point to go with a SCX, worry free from what I hear. That's why I'd like to start with a NA motor and then add a blower down the road. Not that I'm expecting the same results, but wildcard achieved 81mph with his 25 OL with a 525 then only 4 more mph, to 85, with a 600sci, but twice the fuel consumption at cruise with the 600sci.

I haven't priced the teagues or any others but at those power levels I bet they're beyond my budget. And if I did decide to sell this boat at some point, I probably would pull whatever motor to go into my next one.