525SC Carb'd vs 500EFI
 

Looking at two identical boats 38 feet long, twin stepped hulls. The 525SC carb'd has 68 total hrs on it and the 500EFI has about 370 on it. The EFI is a 2000 and the carb'd is a 1999.

What are my pros and cons of these two.

imo, both engines are good but i would probibally go with the 500efi boat,no blower belts to break,and no blower related issues to contend with and no carb to deal with.the 500efi is a more modern engine and will have better resale value.that being said,the sc525 is also not a bad engine and with proper maintenance it will run a long life before rebuild.i had a pair of them and they served me well.

I would agree with above until I reread. 68 hours ver 370!

If the 68 hour checks out I would think that would be my choice.

Everything Mike said,,, Plus,,,The 500's are capable of logging hours so you know its really 370......That said, they are due for valve springs if they haven't yet been done.

68 total hours on 1998 525sc's ??? is that after rebuild,,, new engines bought,,, or just new hours meters installed ( I hate to be negative, and untrusting, but a valid question still ) ?

I love my 500efi's and just did top ends. Now good for a nouther 350 hr run strong and look sweet to

I've got 525sc's and they are great little engines. Thirsty if you let them run. Just did a complete overhaul to one with upgraded internals and am making 600HP. Other motor has not been gone through yet. Hope to make it till the end of 2014 season then I am going to match internals for the freshen up. I have a 2000 38 lighting and have seen 81.5 with them. Standard bravo 1's .

Well that should make for interesting throttling !!!

Those 500 EFIs (502ci) will need upgraded HG and valves springs if they haven't already been done....great engines however.
Pros- CMI headers, EFI, resale, modern tech
Cons- stock HG suck, need a scan tool for diag, may have the dreaded seapump/lift fuel pump combo

The 525sc (454ci) are also good engines. They are carb, but when dialed in they run like efi.
Pros- Easy to work on, older tech so upgrades are easy and inexpensive. blowers sound cool and give midrange pull that the 500efi wont have.
Cons- resale (people scared of blowers) heat from blower causes power loss, especially on warm days. Carbs :D, large exhaust blocks access to plugs and other things.

When comparing hours, brain dead to go for the 525sc's. If these are in a fountain 38 isn't there a big difference in the hulls from 99 to 00? If so you have the lower hrs in the older hull and higher hours in the newer hull, that's a tough choice. If resale down the line is in your thoughts the newer hull with N/A would be an easier sell even with the hours. Good position to be in, isn't it?

From what the owner has told me on the EFI motors the valve springs were replaced at 250 hrs.

The carb'd boat is brokered and the guy is telling me they are 68 orginal hours, no rebuilds no new motors. Guy used it basically once a year for the last 5 years. The marina ran it once a month and once a year to get everything up to temps. Owner just never had time for it I guess.

As far a resale goes not a huge priority. Hope to have this one for awhile. Both are priced the same but I think there's more wiggle room on the carb'd motors. I like the way the carb'd boat looks better then the EFI, hate to say it could come down to looks but I also worry about stretching my summers and those cold days for carb'd motors not always fun.