I have a question on the insurance and top speed. If you told them 65 or 105, how would they know the difference? I havent really dealt with insurance companies much regarding boats.

Yes, if I did a Raylar it would be the 103.

OK, here are some updates for everyone to ponder. By the way, thanks Ray for your response, you make a compelling arguement for your product. Here are my options as of now.
1. Raylar 103 Dana headers- $23,000.00
2. Mercury Racing 525 20 hours with remaining factory warranty, fresh water- $33,000.00 after trade in of HO's
3. Mercury Racing 525 with 270 hours- $28,000.00 before selling HO's. HO's value $15,000.00??? Fresh water

Here's my thoughts-
1.The Raylar kits with headers seem to be a great choice. My hang up with it is when I go to sell how many people would want that boat with it installed. Also I feel like all the money spent would be waisted, because I wouldn't give a dime more for the boat with Raylars. JMO

2.Option 2 definately is the easiest, safest, and mosty productive. But that's alot of money to put into a boat after 60 hours.

3. This makes me a little nervous (first thought). But it would be the cheapest way to get where I want to be after I sell the HO's.

Questions-
How long before I have to spend money on the 270 hour motors, they are out of a 42 tiger. Anyone need 2 HO's with 60 hours and warranty.

Also, by the way, I appreiciate everyones help. It certainly helps. This to me is a big decision. I think I've spent more time pondering it than I did buying my last two boats! I just don't want to have regrets later. I've always screwed with my stuff and too often I wind up with some regret.

Sadly your HO's are only worth about 6-8k you can buy new ones with warrranty for 12k....something to ponder I guess..

+1

If you get $15K for the pair you are doing great.

I totally agree with Mark on this. His HP500's would've been the ticket you woulda been money ahead buying them, but they went quick.

Doc,
Some people have been talking about insurance with the engine upgrades. I'm sure you're upping your insurance coverage as am I. But my agent never asked about speeds, just HP. What about you?

Most major insurance companies use four main figures to calculate premium. Hull design, length, HP, and coverage options. OSO is all about credentials so if you are curious, I am a Senior Underwriter for a very large company that writes both property and casualty as well as boat policies. I have also underwritten for Progressive boat policies.

Hull design: Everyone on this site ought to know the importance of hull design but just to illustrate, a performance hull with 400hp is going to be faster than the water pushing wake boat hull with the same power.

Length: This is a no brainer, a 25 footer with 500hp is going to be faster than a 30 footer with the same amount of horsepower.

HP: Do I really need to explain this? They don't so much care if you have 496s punched out to 500hp or HP500s. All they care about is the important number, the number of ponies under the hatch.

Coverage Choice: Do you want 300K or 500K of liability and obviously the amount of hull coverage you want will make quite a bit of difference in your premium.


Now, obviously there are other parameters they consider such as location, experience of the owner, layup periods, deductibles and many other factors. They will punch all of the above information in a nice computer and it will spit out your premium.

As to posts above about upgrading your motors to the Raylars and just telling your agent you have basic 425hp 496's, well this is fraud and at this point you will be gambling with your money. Let's say for a moment you do this and your boat is stolen, recovered, and you find the motors and drives are gone. Guess what you are getting reimbursed for? That's right, those basic 496 mills, say buy-buy to the hard earned money you spent on your Raylar upgrades. Or, worse yet, you are in a Poker Run and have an accident, the adjuster shows up to inspect the damage and sees obvious upgrades that they were not advised of and the additional premium had not been collected, they have a legitimate reason for denying the claim. Is it worth it for that?

Bottom line I guess is that if you can afford to spend thirty grand on an upgrade, is insurance really a deciding factor? I would not think so but at the same time, I don't really care what anyone does as long as they are educated in their decision. If you want to take chances, fine, ain't my money.

That seems to sum up exactly what my agent is telling me. She wants to know ci and hp on the upgrades. Like I said to doc I will upgrade mine not only to cover hp increases, but the value also. The insurance premium upcharges is the last thing I'm concerned about with upgrades that cost $30,000. I called my agent because I wanted to be sure if I went to Florida to pick up engines, I wanted to have them insured for the ride home.

Well one way or another something is getting installed under the hatch and there is no way to swallow the spending of hard earned cash.

I have also thought for days on end on which way to go, keep my 496 ho and add the Raylar 103, buy a 500hp or a 525?

Well buying a used unit will require a going through in my opinion, by a good engine shop, and if all is well your buying gaskets at a minimum and small stuff. If you find something wrong with the new "used" motor{s} you married it and its rebuild time.....and what does that cost?

If I had a new 496 with 60 hrs that I broke in then I would simply spend the 10k and buy the Raylar and have the power where you want to be .....all with 60 hrs. In my case my 496 ho had 100 hrs so I went the Raylar way.

The other thing to keep in mind is that the exhaust if kept stock will fit right back in place, along with everything else.....no looking for all the right pieces to make the engine swap work. That alone can be a small fortune.

Again this is my 2 cents.