What is the top speed of the 353 with 496 and the 525? Is there any different in the hulls though the years? I have a power boat magazine April, 2003 that 84.8 with the 525. Thanks

525's - 84.8 seems a little optimistic to me. Maybe with no fuel and with a strong tail wind on salt water.

I've got stock 502s and on a good day I'll hit 70mph, but I didn't buy it to drive WOT.

A friend of mine had a 2001 with 496HOs, 425HP with 30P 4 blades and it ran low 70s, like 72 on a good day. It was a dog out of the hole with the 30Ps. At one point we were going to swap a pair of labbed 28s I had to see what the difference would be but never got around to it. I suspect the hole shot would be better but it probably would take 1-2 mph off the top end, but we will never know. I agree the 525 numbers seem a bit optimistic, but it seems PB mag use to always get better numbers from any factory tested boat than what the owner would get once they put stuff in the boat.

No difference in hull from 98 to current ....Drive height has been moved during the years ..... the 525 EFI could be argued the best NA motor merc ever made .... If you have 496HP's or 525's ez 10mph would be Prochargers .... If your looking at 2 different boats 525 will have XR's and 496 B1's .....

I see 80+ a good number on a 525 boat ...m

My best is 84.7 freshwater with 3 people wide open Lake Erie on 2 different GPS. On the 353s with 525s having ITS boxes is the way to get the best speed number. Also, I have spent a lot of time getting the props just right with BBlades. 82-83 MPH all the time.

There are 4 true fast 353 Fastech boats in this nation...naturally aspirated boats,,,, 80+ with 525 motors is a stretch....

So what are you saying?

My guess is the ITS boxes , as you said, make a big difference. 12 inch standoff boxes might even be better. If I remember right the ITS boxes are 7 or 8 inches.

If he knows what he is talking about he is saying...

"I doubt there is a 525 boat that won't run 80, no stretching necessary.
the 500 carb boats would universally run 77-78 and the 525's are a fair bit stronger than the rated HP #s would indicate."

to the other poster about the 496/425s.
I have posted a number of times the win with no sacrifices of OTB Bravo 26's on this package.
loaded boat planes easy with tab and 3K, bites quickly coming over and runs 72-73 @ 5k-5050 everyday with persons, fuel, and a plethora of other **** aboard.

everybody thinks big props are the answer to a moderately powered boat, of course having tunnel vision of the speedometer only. No they are not. They also fail to consider the typical everyday load, time to plane and minimum comfortable planning/cruising speed.
The correct RPM "on the power" for the load is the answer and will net you the best overall performance.

I once had a pig 496/425 353 myself. Horrible out of the hole, no acceleration, wouldn't stay on plane/stay bit much under 40, and struggle to run 70 at 4700.
Yea, fixed all that, quickly, many years ago.