I am currently looking at a 1995 (loaded-all options)38 special with 525sc's with just over 500 hours. It has rebuilt Bravo drives. Likes/dislikes? SC reliability with over 500hours?
Cruising/top speed? Average cruising speed gph fuel use?


What is the actual market price in the depressed MI/OH area? It has no trailer.

Boat will be used in the Great Lakes with a family of 4 (8 and 11 year old kids).

Been looking a long time but don't need a boat unless it is a hell of a deal, fire sale price.

A friend of mine just sold his 97'
boss 38 special ( with trailer) rebuilt
525SC's ( that also had some mod's done)
for low $ 50k.

He bought a 40 O/L so he needed to move it.

Since it doesn't have a trailer, and the hours
on the engines, it's probably only going to bring
between $40-$50k.

When his engines were stock, I'm thinking
it ran right around 70, don't know the rest of the stats
on it.

If the engines never been apart, they're probably
due for some top end work.

I have 525 SC's in the Cig and had a built 525SC in my old Baja. They're great motors. I find if you just take care of them (don't beat on them) they're fine (apparent since the ones you're looking at have 500 hrs. on them). However, Like Jay said, with 500 hrs., they're going to need to be gone through soon.

What exactly is likely needed to be done to the heads and/or superchargers and cost? (Valve jobs, supercharger bearings, etc.) and at what upcoming hour interval? This provided that compression and leakdown tests are relatively decent or is compression likely to be off/lower at the current hour mark.

I have not owned a supercharged or twin motor boat before, only 200-300 hour single bbc boats.

Yes, those are the things that can be of issue,
unless it's been babied all it's life.

Costs are going to vary, depending on the
condition of things, and if anything requires
replacement.

If you're hiring the work out, you could easily
dump $ 5k into it.

i had 525sc's previously in my 33 outlaw. with the msd & chillers & hydrollic cams the motors came alive. It made a big different.

If you are still looking for a 38's, i am selling a 38 Scarab which everything that you can think of has been replaced to new. This boat has not seen water yet. It's listed under the classifieds. I'm a Baja person, but this boat for what it's been done and price, it's a dream for a new owner.

Back to the subject, there are lot's of parts for the 525sc's and i have noticed there are lot's of people that are still interested in these motors, so it's shows 525sc's still have some pull out there.

Good luck and if interested let me know.