the 2001. Newer boat and stock engines those other ones equal problems

I would keep shopping while you decide. But if it were me i would spring on the 500 efi boat. My bro had a 34 Hustler with 500efi's and loved it. No problems and we ran it hard for two summers.

500efis and later on Whipple it

Yes, unless you think its fun changing power valves, plugs, having the blower rebuilt every 200 hours, etc. Having the SC's die when you’re trying to park and make you look like a complete jack ass is always nice too. The EFI motors are turn key no matter what the weather/lake you run the boat on. I also had problems finding 91/92/93 on Grand Lake last year and had to blend 110 and 87 and it's not cheap. You can get 87 on every corner.

I agree with the Merc tech, but you're going to get a million different opinions on this. I can tell you I had a buddy that did the top ends on a pair of 500 EFI's last year with 450 hours on them. They checked the heads/springs and they were still perfect. He did need head gaskets, but he got them hot a few times with cooling issues due to oil coolers full of impeller parts.

What ever you save on the 525 SC boat now will cost you in the long run one way or another.

My 525sc don't stall trying to park and any motor is going to need maintenance . I had a 500 efi in my last boat and it was nasty . 400 hours is alot with on internal maintenance . You don't know what you'll find and who knows who built the 525sc they could be junk or they could be great . I would keep shopping to and there are other brands of boats that are great some might say better. I do like cigs but take the blinders off!

i like cigs too, but i want to keep a step haul and the cigs with step hauls are still pricey , and nice interior and i boat i wont see 10 more of on the lake. Thats why i like the donzi, i dont know if you would say i have blinders, just need to keep it at 80k or below

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...#ht_500wt_1180

looks like a good deal

Ya talked to him he will do 110,000 which is way over my budget

I know you said you want a stepp bottom but I would call Kenny from velocity they have helped people alot lately buy or sell boats real good people . They might even have a step bottom in on trade.