I've been finding more and more deals like this everyday now on boats around this year or newer. It's more than I really want to spend, but I'm starting to wonder if it's not the best way to go. Almost hard to pass some of these up.

It seems to go like this.....newer EX with HO's for 65ish or lightning/classic with 500's for close to the same price. The real kicker comes when the blue motors need valve springs right when you buy it then you are at the same money as the newer boat. However, you end up with a boat thats 4-5 mph faster

Seems No body wants the 496's, From my readings it's claimed them not to be too reliable when adding extra power to them & they have already stopped making them!!!

The 496Ho is an excellent platform in stock form and will run well over 750hr if maintained. There are guys with over 900hrs on them. They have hypernetic piston and cast cranks which require perfect tunning and low boost when forced induction is applied. However, N/A Raylar kits have proven to be reliable with aftermarket exhaust producing 550-560hp.

I would have no problem owning a set of 496s. Seem very reliable, IF you don't tamper with them, which in my case I have no desire to.

+1,

If you want more power, better acceleration, higher resale, buy the used blue motor boat in the first place.

If you buy the 496 HO just leave it alone and drive the thing, you will be better off.
IMO

How big is the difference in acceleration and out of the hole, 496 vs HP500? Theres about 4-6mph in topspeed, but I doubt there will be any bigger differences otherwise?

Hard to give a objective measurement but I can tell u that a friends wife could feel the difference, right away.

You give that up when you don't have the higher HP, but you do get a motor that lasts longer, and no top end rebuild.

All in what you want, also how many hours a year are you going to run.

Top speed-wise I could go for the 496, but i hate when to boat is hard/slow out of plane, one of the biggest benifits with twins (compared to single) is the fast out of the hole shot!

Hopefully someone can give me a more specific answer :)