Picked up a 2005 353 Fastech w/ 525's this weekend. 165 hours, incredibly clean, really happy with the purachse. '


Hoping you guys can share some knowledge with me as I am new to go fast boats and Formulas, i came from a 2015 Malibu Wakesetter, so bear with me.


A few questions, any help is appreciated in advance:


1. Muffler options... The boat is loud and i love it. But the Sheriff and the neighbors have taken note in just 3 hours on the water. I'm on Lake Minnetonka and i plan on getting it out on bigger water but would love to be able to cruise without unwanted attention. I believe it does have mufflers, but i am looking to do something more. What are my best options here? I hear turn downs are easy, but that doesn't do anything for me once i am on plane? Captains call is illegal and the water patrol knows to look for that as well. I assume a more restrictive muffler is the only other option? Has anyone run something that they would recommend?


2. Gauges. I see some minor condensation in most of the gauges. Is this normal, is there an easy fix here?


3. I'm having some trouble with the drive levers sticking, is there a general maintenance solution for these? The throttles also are not matching RPMs in comparison to position exactly, is there an easy adjustment to be made or is that a complicated change?


4. GPS maps... I'd like to have a decent map option without carving out a hole in the console. Are there good hand held type units that you guys run on unfamiliar water?

2. Happens with a lot of guages if they are not air tight. Not much can be done except replace them.

3.It is probably either the lower shift cables or the shift linkage assemblies and/or ball-detent inside the outdrives. Pretty common at around 10-12 years old.

1) My boat has Captain's Call and Aquapower mufflers. The Captain's Call allows me to pass the dcb test at idle. I'm not sure if I would pass with it off. There is no law regarding noise level while running on my lake, so I'm ok. I just need to be careful and make sure I turn off the system over 2k rpm, as its too restrictive above that for my setup.

It's my understanding that Turndowns do not fit on a Fastech given the drive and tab positions. The drives will hit them when turning at a certain trim setting.

4) I put my GPS on top of the dash as I thought a GPS in the dash itself would be too small. 99% of my driving time is looking over the windshield anyway, so it does not obstruct my view.

If your 353 has extension boxes you will be able to fit turn downs. On our past boat I measured up for them and they would fit with the ITS system. I agree with Apex you have to watch for reversion with too much mufflers, noise eliminators and flaps, etc on 525s. Turn downs are your best choice.

Good point on the boxes. Mine does not have ITS or boxes..

Got it, makes sense. i'm going to see what my local shop can do. I keep forgetting this boat is 13 years old!

Did you mount the GPS permanently? Any pics? I too am always looking over the windshield when driving?

I do have the extension boxes. I think at the very least i will do turn downs. I just got off the phone with CMI, the recommend XTS tips as well, any one have experience with these?

I have these on my boat and the are considerably quieter and look good.

4" XPM525 Performance Transom Mount Mufflers - Hardin Marine

Do you have any pictures of it on the boat? What did they replace?