looks nice to me, and no one says you have to go out and spend 9 grand on a new trailer, which for a boat like that would be asanine. A descent one can be had for under 5.

I love the 32 Fever but not crazy about the graphic on this one.

Look at the hours on the motors. If thay r in the 300's and haven't been tuched u will have to do the top ends on the motors. I went 345 hours and blew a lifter. After it was all sead ane done last winter with all the work that was done I was at 20k to get it back in the water when it would have been around 6k for the top ends but I did have every thing gone over including the drives and props

Mine ran originally 80 with 540s and 30 bravos
Rich

Thanks for the info guys! It's nice to get informed answers based on "real life" experience, instead of the "Fountain sucks buy "this" instead" drivel that you get on other boards (-:

Would this hull be a single step? Straight V back to the transom or is there a pad? (Hard to tell in pics)

I have heard that the 500"s need the top ends done every couple hundred hours, but, beyond that I haven't heard anything negative about them, apart from some reversion issues which I think where due to exhaust manifold design, not the engines themselves.

Is the difference between black and blue motors as significant as people say?

I would be MORE than happy with 80-85 MPH, I don't have the bank or skills to run much faster than that.

I boat 95% of the time near our cottage in the Thousand Islands area, so, the trailer would really only be used for a place to sit out of the water, and the 300ft drive to our launch ramp.

As long as the frame was good, I could putter away with paint and wiring as time and money allowed.

Thanks again guys, it's nice to get helpful info!

its a single step with pad and notch transom...

the 500 hp (carb) engines need the valve springs replaced at 250-300 hours because of the cam causing water reversion,,the 500 EFI do not have that issue,,,(most guys hear 500 and they will tell you about spring replacement but not true with the 500EFI per Merc)

lifters are not replaced during upper end service anyways,,(a good tech might pull them out and look at them but not all will)

dont get caught up on the blue engine thing,,,blue engines are good but black engines are just as good with less issues at time and less service needed...
I would not pass on a boat because of the color of the engine...

The head gaskets will be on their way out on those motors so plan to pull the heads regardless if you pull the trigger. It will also give you a chance to inspect/pressure test the headers (though E-Tops are much more reliable than the sweptbacks).

Looks like a great boat, hope everything works out for you.

Need to check hours on engines! If they are close to 300 the tops need refresh and that is close to 5K a side and if closer to 500 then you are talking rebuilds which would be double that at least so add trailer and rebuld or refresh and it may not be such a great deal. It will run around 80 every day and the 500's are great motors but just need to do the proper maintenance. Make sure you have a qualified marine mechanic take a look and run the boat. It will be the best $500 you have ever spent!

seems too cheap for a 500 efi boat. just saying. I would really question why its so cheap.