Anyone seen or know what a late 90's early 00's 38 with HO's would do. will it be a more reliable pkg. than HP's.
Speed wise it should be real close right????

And I mean these HO's
as opposed to this HO. for all U wise guys.

Even though it's a Fountain it would be a slow boat with 496ho's....the HP525efi's are just as if not more reliable plus they are also closed water cooled.
It's not so much the HP thes engines turn out but boats rely a lot on torque. The 525efi is the smallest I'd consider in a 38.

I think the 496HO/XZ is a great package. If you get XRs, even better, but they are not package sold this way.

I have 260 hours on 496HOs in my 2003 37 Active Thunder and it runs like a raped ape. Its not as fast as blue motors, but I have extended warranty on both entire drivetrains until 2010. Blue motors are great, but they are way too overpriced. Raylar Performance tweaking and a set of CMI headers on a 496 can get you a LOT of horsepower and STILL be less than a pair of 525EFIs. If you get your paperwork and ducks in a row ahead of time, you can have your CMI headers factory/Mercury tech installed and still keep your warranty.

Stdwayz, I did not now that Mercrusier would install CMI's on 496ho's....that is good to know. Yep I forgot about the warranty you can get with the 496 package but does Mercury offer an extended warranty with the HP525efi?

Slandrew, yes the 496 are closed cooling with a 5 year colant change interval.

Cheaper to insure a 496 boat than a 525 boat too.

that boat with 496 ho will do mid to upper 70s.......been there done that

I don't know of any extended warranties on the 525EFI.

I think it takes a little legwork, but a few people have told me that its part of the Mercruiser Certified Installer program or similar to get the blessing for CMI headers on your 496. That being said, I know this is only a blessing for the factory 1 year warranty from new. I don't know if you can get away with the extended 5 year warranty when you have the CMIs installed.

I have a five year extended warranties on my engines & drives,for my daytona 525s xr drives.I think the max I could claim is 20k. but good piece of mind.

where did you get the warrenty and how much I have been thinking about that as well....BZ