Well merc is proud of their stuff . 20 grand upgrade for 100ish hp, on top of original, so 40 for a 525?
Cant any respectable engine builder make that in their sleep and to what spec you wish?

Who said 525's and 500's blue motors aren't turn key. They are actually considered one of the more reliable turn key options on the market. there are a few people on here with 1000+ hours on untouched 500's.

I would say those numbers are much fewer then say unopened black motors.

There is always an exception and they are just that, certainly not the norm and still cost more to keep up and running. Not saying they are bad motors so lets not go there but for me they are a motor I never want to deal with in ownership. If you like them then hats off bud and enjoy them.

I had 496s before, they started every single time, ran great every single time, I never missed a day boating which is the point of owning a boat, I can't say the same for some of my 525 buddies. Did I get blown off the water...yeah baby, big time. My 525 buddies got dusted also though. Not denigrating the 525 and I'd have loved to have them, but 300hr refresh sucks and so does the header issue.

Another factor to consider in the price point is the side by side vs. staggered for the 496's vs. 525's. I've looked at many of these boats and don't think I've seen a staggered 496 boat.

There was a staggered 35 Lightning for sale last fall with 496's. I believe they had CMI headers on them.

This thread cracks me up...that is all

Honestly black motors don't belong in anything 35'+.

I was talking about the 35 Donzi in the thread title. That being said, I haven't seen many staggered 496 boats at all, regardless of mfg.

It cracks you up cause everyone doesn't share your exact thoughts and ideas of what should and shouldn't be?

cracking the lid on a 38' anything with black motors is comical. however you want to roll Nate.

Btw I have heard several 496 reversion horror stories. Know a few personally too...bent rods aren't a good look.

We're did I say I would put blacks in a 38 sir?

I will wait here while you find that post........

Waiting for the 496 pipe...you gonna pass it soon?

That's about as normal as a 1000 hr 525 that has not been opened up. Again....there is always exceptions to the rule on both sidea.

This is what you come back with after stating something I never said.....take a 5 and come up with something better than that bud

Just picked up a 33' boat with black motors. Would've went for 496's over 502mpi's but couldn't find one. Turned down a couple blue motor boats because of all the reasons listed here. I'd rather be on the water going 75 than the boat in the shop going 0. 80-85 with blues would be fun but not worrying about valves or as much about drives is worth 5-10mph to me.

Have you ever priced a 525 or 500 Bulldog Block only. Its Crazy what Merc wants!
And Reversion on most 496s are from boat ramps that are too steep and not exhaust or cam problems

Better tell my friend with a cobalt who only uses a travel lift to get in the water...

So The boat i am considering is a repo boat w/525's- there is no receipts or docs for upper rebuilds-so i think it may be risky- I own a grea t07 35ZR Donzi with 496's with low hours - i value it at 75-80k the other donzi is a 2005 w/525's with 330 hours but no paperwork/service etc. they want 90-95k so lets say i am spending extra 10k to get the higher HP Donzi what do you think?

No flaps on the tips, no turbulators in the exhaust, no signs of reversion when I pulled the heads off my 496 HO's.

But what would I know, I'm just one of those idiots with a 35 foot boat with black motors that start and run every single day.

I know the feeling, our 38 with sh!t 500's runs everytime we turn the key. Sucks big time!!

I don't think anybody ever called the 500 a **** motor, at least I never would. The 500 EFI was quite the reliable workhorse in my opinion. The 525 EFI certainly had its share of flaws that are well documented.

IMO, Keep what you have.

1st off the upgraded cost from a 496 to 525 also includes xr drives and headers in the price. I went through the same thing last year with a 496 and 525 boat with the same hours on them (both under 200, $500 apart on asking price and 1 yr in age difference ) I could not justify the price jump knowing the top ends would have to done , the header issues plus 2k increase in insurance rates for 10 mph . I could do all the work on the 525s myself but I did not by a boat to work on but rather to use and have fun with. Don't get wrong the 525s have great sound and bling factor to go with them. White one had the 525s


http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0mxhze9b.jpg


http://i1167.photobucket.com/albums/...psjcv6si8l.jpg

Lmao...best post of the thread

Insurance is a totally fair point that hadn't been discussed. Still blows my mind your provider wanted a 2k premium. I could see a little uptick but would have never thought that much. I agree, turnkey is awesome but a 90mph boat sounds fun too!

I've owned both motors, in different boats. Bought the 496 new, in 5 yrs. I bought a MAP sensor, and an IAC. Other than that no issues at 235 hrs. The 525efi I bought at 135 hours, replaced the exhaust (3K+ as a pre-caution) sold the boat at 285 hrs, knowing the top end was due to be redone, another 3K?.

Both motors were nice. Aside from the initial price difference, the cost of owning the 496 was much less.

Hellen Keller would know what boat to go on!! Dont be hatin on the wrench turning ladies, theyare the good ones. Every girlfriend and including wife all changed my oil

http://images.boats.com/resize/1/55/...00&w=900&h=900

[IMG]http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/...psdpglquod.jpg[/IMG]

I bought 496's with 245 hours on them. So far a water pressure sensor, water pumps and housings and exhaust manifold temp sensor and now they have 277 hours.

Looking to move to 525's that will soon need a refresh.

It boils down to if you want to go faster, you need bigger motors and they require more maintenance.

I don't want any lady who is turning a wrench on my boat...her and her flannel and kick rocks on shore.


Ladies you want on board just care that it is loud and that they can dance.

That's your opinion. Not everyone's.

Never said it was everyone's. You can have all the wrench turning ladies you can handle bud....if I see one I will tell her to head your way as well.

Exactly, keep all receipts and documentation. Pay to play.

In reference to FastHawk6. My insurance for 05 353 Fastech with 525s is $1400/yr. Our new to us 07 38 Fountain with 600s is $1600/yr. Your paying a lot for insurance if it was a $2k incresase over what you were paying to go to a 525 boat. Factors like experience, driving history, where your storing it, bank loan, all play into insurance costs not just the type of engines.

Sounds like me, exactly. Would I rather have a 525 boat vs a 496 boat? Of course!! Who wouldn't??? Would I rather have the 525 maintenance/refresh/rebuild cost vs that of a 496? Nope. Maybe if I was a no-fuks given, wiping my ass with benjamins baller I would...but that's not me.

All of the 525 boats that I could afford had right around 270-320 hours on them.....hmmm....weird. Why is it that so many people sell 525 boats with such low hours...lol.
I could swing a 525 boat, but not the 525 boat and the refresh/rebuild/headers/headache that is sure to follow....or at the very least, potentially likely to follow. I do all my own work, but I didn't buy a boat to work on it. I have a big hp hot rod that requires plenty of maintenance and repairs on a regular basis. I just want my boat to go vroom when I bump the keys for a day on the water with the family.

My last rig had a 496HO that had 730 hours on it, and never so much as had a valve cover off. I'd love to see the same with my current boat.

So if you can afford a boat with 525's that need refreshed and you spend 3K per engine to just do the top end and they are good for an 200+ hours. How many years does it take you to rack up 200 + hours until they need done again.

Some people not that long, some people it takes forever.

Assuming the headers don't start to leak, right?

My god this thread is oozing estrogen. Blue motors are me preference. I also know what a wrench is and can do a lot of my own work. My machine shop (recommended by potter) just did all machining on my heads with valve jobs and new springs for under a G. However if you can't do your own work and have to pay someone for everything I suggest deep pockets. lol.

On a side note only girly men are scared of a woman who can use a wrench. They are sure better than a prada princess any day!

Performance headers have a shelf life, they need to go on a maintenance schedule just like anything else. Non-staggered, fresh water seem to have the best chance at a long service life. That is as long as they are cooled properly with consistent impeller kit changes like once or twice a year.