On the 525 topic... I've been told insurance on a 25 or 26 with a 525 is 3x one with a 496 HO or 500 EFI. Guess once you officially go over 500 they stick it to ya.

Prop-shaft or flywheel HP? Where the mfg rates the power is or can be different from what the insurance company wants.
A 500efi is only 470 at the prop. All merc HP/SC engines are rated at the flywheel, not the prop.

I'd skip the 525 this looks fun: http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o40838-en.html

Jason has a good point here. Worth looking into.

First one I've ever seen. Want to guess a number? I'd say 78 mph max.

Powerboat tested a 26 with the 525 I think they got 74?

AO is almost dead on.
Mine (the one in the link) has the 600sci and runs upper 70's on gps anytime, even with 4 people and plenty of fuel I've seen 77-78 loaded, 78-79 and an occasional 80 solo.

I thought the 496ho 26 would do 66 or 67? maybe not.

Did you buy that one new? What are you moving into?

Had a buddy that had a 26 outlaw with a 525 in it and it only saw 67-69 gps with a labbed 26 bravo needles to say it is not worth the extra money for the 525. It also had the IRS drive on it.

What is an IRS drive? Do you meat the Merc racing ITS transom assy?

Something has been wrong with that setup to run that number. A 26OL with a 496HO and labbed 23" M+ should run 65-66, non labbed 63-64, both as everyday numbers. Did the boat come with the ITS? What rpm's did he spin at?

Socalstone
Did you ever try a M+ on your 26OL? I can see from your ad, you ran a 28" labbed B1, but in many cases it looks like the M+ is faster. Great looking rig by the way

I never tried a mirage plus, if I had kept playing with props that would have been my next choice. It probably would have done a little better than the B1, but the B1 was a good all around prop. I actually preferred the stock 28 over the labbed 28 that came with the boat. top speed was better with the labbed, but the stock one had great cruising and mid-range which was where I spent most of my time.

And yes, I agree, that 26 with the 525 must've had something wrong.
525 = at least low 70's any day any conditions.

Acutally sound about right, 26 is much heavier. The 425HO runs only about 63, with the 525 should be about 68-69. Assuming GPS, fresh water and about 600' above sea level. If you raise the x dim then add a couple more. There is a guy on here with a 26 tha just added about 100HP and raised the x dim 2" with a 12" setback. We will find out soon what it does.