Hey glassdave,
Look at this way...where else can you get approx. 600hp for 10g's? I have V8's on my 33 Sonic SE and have had good success with them. The starboard engine("Thumper") is an original 1985 powerhead with over 1000 hours on it. It's getting retired this year only because I'm putting two newer V8's on. (I was thinking about putting it on my wife's 15' Hobie Power Skiff but it's a 25" engine. Plus she works for a Mercury dealer.) I had some initial problems with the boat after I bought it but it was from neglect by the previous owner. The engines do have a lot of torque and are very smooth. The only gearcase problem I really had was a direct hit on a submerged object (I think it was a Yugo.) during a poker run in Baltimore's inner harbor. I have found parts to be fairly easy to get as the engine is basically two omc four cylinders. I would strongly reccommend by-passing the vro system, omc even has a part number for the plugs to do this. The biggest problem with this system is not so much higher rpm's, although losing vacuum would cause major damage, but at lower rpm the system puts too much oil in the cylinders causing severe carbon build up. As for fuel consumption my experience has been that betwween 4000-4500 rpm, which is where we normally cruise, they're about the same as big blocks. Where they really burn gas is at idle. Eight carbs per engine have a tendency to do that though.
They don't tolerate heat or low octane fuel very well, I always run 93 octane or when I've had to run 89 I've taken it easy on them. I also run Raker props and they seem to like the Sonic hull. I'm not sure how they would work on a cat. Good luck with your decision.

I have owned two v-8's in the pass, lots of power, never had a problem with either one of them, good luck

Hey Erie, I may be interested in your parts send me a line at [email protected] or call 253-265-3575 thanks.
timewarp my wife deleted your info. and we have been haveing a tough time around here (health problems) send me another line if you still have a line on parts thanks.

Just getting back on top.

I have a 1991 on a 22 Velocity and I love it yea it likes gas.

Hey v-8 guys ,i had one on a 24 bannana,went 65,sucked tank dry but ran 8 years. what all above said was true, my friend had 2 ona 30cat and switched to the other color and the only thing he got was more warranty and more payments good luck tripps

Hi!

I had a 3,6 litre Offshore version (16 sparkplugs!) on my Phantom 25. It died in the end after 14 years of fast running. Consumed a lot of gas (in Norway you pay for your gas - 1 usd per litre).

I now have a Promax 300, and it is great as well.

Cheers, Toffen