400 Ss
 

I like my new 350 SS but I have been thinking lately about a hardtop boat and the 400 SS is looking nice.

I am getting really good using the Axius and would not want to dock without it but I see this boat can have bow thrusters which is what I would get if Axius is not available. Anyone know if Axius is an option for any of the motors on the 400?

Also, I see the top speed of 60 and I am thinking that is with the Merc 525's?

Does anyone have any comments on this engine package?

Was looking at Sea-ray as an alternative but man are those boats slow.

My brother has a 400SS with 500 EFIs. Boats on fresh water lakes here in the southwest, top spped he has seen is about 56. That is before adding the jet ski and lift on the back of it. I think he lost over 5 MPH with the jet ski and lift.

Back cover of MotorBoating has the 40SS hardtop pictured and it has the Axius emblem pictured so I would say "yes" Axius is available on the 40 SS

Thats good news. Thanks

Does he have the hardtop as well?

No he does not. I would assume that would account for a few MPH due to weight, but not more than 2 or 3.

We have an 09 400SS Hardtop w/Axius in stock. Boat has 425hp mercs and the new Mystic Slate Flagship paint scheme.......:cool:

40ss
 

In my opinion the 40 is too heavy for bravos, XR's or 3's. The pkg to ask for is the 525 NXT PKG. I think it is now available.

Yeah these motors work on the 350 SS but I would think they would not be sufficient for the larger 400. Formulas website claims 60 Mph speed but didnt mention what engine package.

With the NXT drives, the price has to be knee buckling.

It is a $70,000 Upgrade over the Standard 496HO motors before discount.

I think that is with the 525's. A while back Procharger did an upgrade to the 400SS as a test - can't get the 502 / 415hp anymore, but I would think the 600's might get you in the ballpark - if Formula would put them in there. Here's the quote:


“Named Blown Sleeper, the 15,000-pound boat [Formula 400 Ss cruiser] was clocked by radar at an un-cruiser like 66 mph. With a pair of stock MerCruiser 502 Mag MPI engines...and a ProCharger Stage I [M-1] system bolted to each engine...it turned more than a few heads”.
– Boating, March 2000, p. 155

Dealer cost on 496 to 525 is about $12k more. I haven't seen the dealer number on the NXT.

Volvo Diesels!!! Test drive them before you go Merc.

I dont think they offer the Axius with the 525's. My 400SS with 525's and a hard top will do 60 mph. Best I seen was 61.2. From 55 mph and up is really tweeking it and takes a long time. This also depends on loading and fuel. I can get to 55 anytime with typical loading.

On the engine and drive package: I love the 525's but the drives have been a problem, Both drives have been rebuilt before 100 hours. I bought it as a "demo" I have been carefull but still had to have them rebuilt. (under warranty) I am hoping now I will not have problems and the "demo" hours are what messed them up to start but time will tell. I did not blow them but the gears showed excessive wear and I could hear a slight grinding. When they tore them down they discovered the wear.

That is one beautiful boat Raypanic..I wish they would offer the big Yanmars and some asd-7's or 8's...

Uhhh, you're a cruiser guy you're meant to go slow. When you plow a couch that fast all you do is throw a huge wake that annoys the real powerboaters. I was on a 38 sundancer doing a solid 34.1 Mph yesterday, owner was grinning ear to ear.

big-time markup. thanks for the info.

35 is too slow for me. It gets boring real fast. 50 on my boat and its comfortable. You can see the gas guage moving but its fun. I think I saw about 80 GPH for a while. :)

Damn, it's okay to 'make a living', but don't cut my eyes out. I know about charging whatever the market will bear, but my word, it looks like Formula would make more money and make more people happy by decreasing the profit margin on these things. Thus creating a 'dog chasing his tail' effect, i.e., happy customers equal more sales. And move more volume too. But then....what do I know. I'm just a customer with money in his pocket. And don't know zip about economics 101.

If dealer cost is only $12K more to go from 496's to 525's then why would ANY 400SS be shipped with those black motors??? Surely it's got to be more than $12K......

When I was pricing my last boat, I learned many things from different manufacturers. 525 to 600SC is $10k. Just depends on how the business is set up to charge customers. They may mark the motors up a lot.

$25k on a twin engine boat is a big step for many people.

I think the big question is
IF NXT will fit at the 400 SS transom

Thought you might be interested in this from the Formula build a boat web site.....
MerCruiser® Twin 496 MAG High Output Bravo Three X $574,630
MerCruiser® Twin SeaCore™ 496 MAG High Output Bravo Three X $580,820
Mercury® Racing Twin HP525 EFI Bravo Three XR $650,520
Volvo Penta Twin D6 370 DPH Diesel Power Trim Assistant $651,330

I have spoken to Formula about ordering a 400SS w/600 and NXT
and I believe the base boat was to start at $750,000.....

I guess you just have to decide just how much you will pay for 10 to 15 mph...........:cool-smiley-011:

Unless you're going to run with the throttles firewalled, the diesel boat will be fastest and give you close to double the fuel mileage. It will cruise betwen 42 and 45 forever and never break a drive.

You can't run these boats as if they were go-fasts.

A $76K difference from the 496 to the 525's.....but it also shows the XR drives instead of bravo X drives....what else comes with that package? Would Hydraulic steering be part of it? I find it hard the believe the dealer makes $50K on the upgrade.

I've got a customer with a 400SS and 500 EFI engines. We added Whipple superchargers for him last year and switched the B3-X drives to B1 XR's. After fine tuning and prop work we were able to get 70 on GPS. So far the drives have held up for over 75 hours. He likes to run it hard too.

Bob:
70 is fast for this cruiser! Does this void the Formula warrantee and also can you give a ballpark $ of this package? 15K, 20K ?

I don't think it would void the Formula warranty but definitely the Mercury warranty. The supercharger packages run approximately $12k per engine, plus labor to install.

I have a 05 400 with volvo"s in it cruise at 40 top 49, boat is awsome boat doses not back up to easily needs thruster to help it is also sets alot deeper in the stern,but I love it two of my buddies have them one with yanmars gets better fuel but not as fast. The other 1999 I just repowered with new 496 and he loves it as well.

Yes you did..... And its for sale Peeps!!!!!!

Spicy, where is the boat listed? What are you looking for to replace it?

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...POWER-92784080


call me if your interested..

I'm looking for a 38 TS Top Gun, or 38Powerplay or maybe a 382 after it sells....:evilb:


Patrick 410-320-5748 cell

Bobl:

Do you guys travel with an upgrade Kit? I have a 2005 400SS with twin 525's and havn't been past 60 since I bought new- yes I run around with full tanks. I have replaed 1 outdrive and at 130 hrs I am now replaceing my first bXr lower unit. They say the gears need TLC too.

If something goes wrong next season- i am thinking your upgrade would be better than standard replacements Otherwise its time...

Where are you located? We did this boat in the slip on a lift.

Bob