I know right, I only run 2000hp +motors, those silly folks with that lame ass most powerful engine Mercury makes. What are they thinking?!?! I don`t know how they get on plane with that junk.

Well dude, funny how u single out that line, why don't you read the rest of what I said that goes with the comment! I said its not gonna get you to out run the boats like Predator, do u happen to know what Predator is? Take my advice, before you call someone out to be smokin something, why don't u put down your pipe & read something correctly!!!

I'm in no position to offer real world experience on this, but I will anyways.

Custom engine builder = hotrod
Merc high hp = Supercar

I guess it's all in what you're looking for. I would think any range above 1000hp per engine, you're playing in a very different league. Ratings above 1500hp in pleasure boats, you are in a very small percentage.

Depends on how you look at it, lots of aftermarket engine builders with power at 1350 and above probably weren't making a ton of profit per engine based on parameters, lots of time and stress goes into them as well as a perceived warranty. Just my thought but it may actually be a relief to some of them that this happened and business being business builders can make an 1000/1100 and be more reliable and customers are happy. I have heard from many builders Big power is nerve racking for them as they are finicky.

Thats the difference, Gary broke... the 1350's didnt. If you broke, YOU LOST (no offence to gary). All this crap about IF he didnt break..... doesnt matter....he broke and the 1350 didnt. 1350 wins. In addition, when push comes to shove it comes down to what kind of boating the individual is doing. You're on a lake, so if your running a 2000hp set up and break down, you're not that far away. Out east, if you break down in the middle of the ocean its a big deal. The reliability of the 1350, from what I have heard (I have no first hand experience with it) is unbeatable. Not many packages you can start up that not crazy loud, idle it around the dock like a caddy, and not worry about breaking down. If it were me, that'd be much more fun than fussing around with a custom big power engine. I belive matt wrote an article about top speed/acceleration and how most of the big hp guys only care about acceleration these days. I agree with that.... note many places (at least around here) to run WOT and get a good run.

The Merc 1350 is great engine on paper, It has quite a few failures, It's not easy to developed and engine package from the ground up. Most of the failures have been hush, hush. Merc does not want bad press on this, I'm sure its too important to there overall business. Eventually the 1350 will be as reliable as 525 but I don't think its there yet.

There is alot custom builders can learn from that engine though. Its pretty understated, its not blinged out chrome everything, Its idles quietly and smoothly. Many people thought those things are what make a great engine. sometimes its not just about raw power. 1350 hp is plenty for most people. Yes some want to win a shoot out or poker runs etc. and are willing to have race engines some are not. I think it has to do with the intended purpose of your ride.

If you are making 1350 HP, running it in a boat that is under constant load, failures are going to happen regardless of who builds it. Metal has its limitations. Components have their limitiations. If your making that kind of steam its going to be hard on parts no matter who builds the motor Merc or otherwise.

I forgot how much I love this site!!!! Truly entertaining the stuff you can read here! It is winter isn't it!

The V16's in the Mystic were pretty quiet when pulling up to the dock at the shootout. Did anybody else notice how smooth that package was?

PrecisionDetails, in response to your posts, and this statement..


At what point during this video exactly does that belt fail? Around 12:09? And where was the DCB?

From about 9:00 on is the south end of the lake heading towards CS1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ZpawMyBLm6M


Don't get me wrong I think Gary's boat is the ****, and I think he's got it on that M31 top speed wise by at around 10mph.. But when that belt failed he wasn't out front. He was 1/4 mile+ behind the DCB. I'm not sure he could've reeled him in, in that short of time with a roughly 10mph gaining speed?

RD