I have been considering 496 ho's or 525efi's as I have see a few others...anyway... a dealer said that I should keep in mind that 525's are cantankerous???? really??? I don't think so what do you guys think??

I DONT know about "catankerous"...and I have never owned a 525efi. The ones I have seen (or heard) sound great, but what really surprised me are the 525efi's idling charactoristics---they have some very BIG and ROUGH idling cams in them---at least that is the way they sound, but I suppose that is a matter of perspective.

I think he's just trying to sell me what he has and that's a boat with 496 ho's that's why he say there cantankerous...i realise there racing engines and that's different form the 496 ho's but I can't see having problems as long as there serviced properly and not abused...much...

can·tan·ker·ous ()
adj.
1. Ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable: cantankerous

2. Difficult to handle:

we had a pair 525s stock no mods and turn key, start, idle, run all day ? with proper service like you said but the 496 ho's are great too.my 2 cents
Thumper

Mercury Racing HP525's are anything but cantankerous. Most of the hundreds out there run reliably and without major problems other than a small few where the CMI header issue might have shown up on some a while back.
496HO's are absolutly trouble free for many thousands of boaters who already have them.
Based on shear numbers they are the most reliable over the HP525 with the HP525 having a 100HP more power and a huge price premium over the 496's.
Add the Raylar HO525 package to your 496's and you've got the best of all worlds, 525HP plus with exhaust upgrades, a very reliable package and a significant savings in your wallet and some possible insurance savings.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

Ok...sounds and looks good if I go with 496 ho's, so is there a down side in mainteance...I.E. overhauls etc???

What about price...I see call for pricing...how about an educated guess seeing as you are an advertiser...lol...

cantankerous????????

If a dealer used that word to me about anything, I would ask him to explain in detail, wtf he is talking about.

....didn't get an explanation...just about knew instantly it had to be a bunch of BS......hence coming to some experts for a no BS explanation... This is one place I get some real world info

525's = Great engines

Dealer who says they are cantankerous = DUMBAZZ

Is it a Bayliner dealer that has one performace boat to sell?