Griff- I only use the PFD's to better the view!

Hard sell w/ modified "anything" -- ie: blowers. I was going to do it to my 525 38 T/S and EVERYONE told me not to do it.... glad I listened.

Might be better off pulling the blowers and refreshing the motors. I know someone that had to do that w/ their OL. Didn't take long to sell afterwards.

Joe

Yes I agree that modified engines always add a dose of uncertainty to the buyer, although I have heard favorable reviews of the Vortech/500efi package.

Joe, I agree with your last statement. I was all over JBK's boat prior to him buying it and backed away due to the blowers and the unknown reliablilty of the package compared to a stock set up. Stock most always will have better resale value in my own opinion.

I hate breaking down !!

I think Gary G's Gladiator with the Zul's is a sweet boat! At the NYC PR he showed me the GPS recall.... 111!

Boat is pristine!

Gorgeous boat, not stock power= super tuff resale

I guess it's all in what you're looking for. I've found that people with $$ don't worry as much about resale as much as those who don't. If I wanted a fast and beautiful Gladiator I'd get Garry's boat. If I wanted something stock I'd get one with 525's. If I were buying as an investment I'd think differently.

There's the other side; Where a guy has a boat with gobs of power, runs the hell out of it and puts 500's in so it will sell. An unsuspecting buyer comes along thinking it's always had stock power, then the boat falls apart a year or two later cause it was abused so badly. I've seen it happen.

I don't see it as hurting resale as much as being marketable. The boat with the bigger power will comand a higher price (higher resale) but at the expense a smaller market share (longer sales cycle).

To me, the issue is not so much between stock mercs and big custom power. I would not hesitate to buy a boat with big custom power if the engines were built by a reputable builder and were intended from the start to make big power, ie. all components are appropriately chosen.

What scares me is when I see what is a bone stock motor with a bunch of bolt-on aftermarket parts. Then, all sorts of questions arise like who did the mounting, have the stock internals taken a beating, etc.

So, when I see 500s with Vortechs, I'm scared. When I see a Keith Eickert 675EFI, I'm fine with it. I may be wrong but that's just me...

Bob, I never said it was worth "so much more..."

In my opinion, the staggered boat is more desirable...for the reasons mentioned above and thusly prices will reflect that. I remember the first Galdiator taht was built was a side by side boat and was for sale for a long time when they started building staggered versions.

As far as handling, I don't know...I've not been in the side by side boat, so I couldnt comment which is better. Perhaps you'll take me for a ride so I can better answer that question...

BTW,

How many staggered Gladiators are there?
How many side by side Gladiators are there?

ive seen the first one in person when it was new and was impressed, actually.