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.