Offshoreonly.com - Snow Falling Time For A Winter Project

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Originally Posted by 4195 (Post 3576332)

I know Scot did not like this post but I think it says alot.

Why would I not like it? I'm not at all upset and I'm just giving my input since you seem to be asking for it. My sarcastic reply (which Adam knew I was joking around) was only because his post pointed out the obvious! Of course he it's far cheaper to run a stock 454 that 1500!!! I don't think many of us got into this sport for the economy of it!

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But Scot I believe your boat runs in the 120 range but what are the costs to build the engines the upkeep and life expectancy? You said it your self you baby it most of the time. Now I know you did have to pay all the money to build those motors but if had to would you have? And why? Or why not?

I have all the receipts, build sheets, and dyno sheets from the previous owner. He paid someone more to build those engines and rebuild the drives than I paid for the boat. The life expectancy is hard to nail down with big power engines, but they have the potential to last a long time (or an hour like any other engine) if they are maintained and not abused. I choose to not beat the snot out of them because I don't have to run them hard to hang with most people in the area. Every so often I open them up to have a little fun, but there's little need to run WOT when you have that much on tap. When others are pushing their boats at 70-80 mph, my engines are pretty much loafing along. When I switch props I expect to pick up at least 10 mph in the midrange, which will drop the R's down further. If I had 600's I would probably treat them the same way, but I wouldn't be cruising at 70, I'd be cruising at 45 while letting you guys run on ahead.

Regarding the upkeep, I do all my own work so it's basically the cost of the parts and machine work. Tearing down engines is not something I have a lot of time to do, but I don't really mind doing it. The nice thing about BBC's is they are simple engines to work on... But obviously not everyone wants to, or even has the time or mechanical aptitude to do their own work.

Would I have paid all that money to build the engines that are in my boat? No F-ing way! If I were going to build something from scratch I'd probably end up with a real EFI version of something similar to what you're building if I had the drives to handle them. Maybe something a little more exotic. If I started with bravos I would stay under 700 hp or sell the boat and by something with the drives I wanted to run the power level I want to run (it's far cheaper to start off with the basic package you want than to convert everything IMO, but more on that below). But since I got the package I did I'll run them and enjoy them for what they are, but I know full well that they will always require a lot of up keep and will not be as cheap or as reliable to run as Adam's stock 454 analogy.

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Not to mention we all know that my XR drives are the negative for my boat, but if I blow one $5k get me running again. If someone is running 1000-1200 ft lbs of torque the number sixes will not last forever, and when they go it could be $15-$30K not to mention the cost of props. So again to Adams point that is a lot of Xr's.

You have to remember that while big power engines are CAPABLE of making a lot of torque, as you mention it's probably only utilized a small fraction of the time. Only pushing them every so often, running the kind of number we're taking about here should not be an issue for #6 drives, especially in a boat the size of mine. Yes it costs more to rebuild them, but they are pretty much required with 1000+ hp engines and far more reliable than bravo based drives. They offset the cost of spitting a bravo every 20 hours real quick, not to mention have a significant performance advantage. With 800hp engines in a 42' boat, I think you're going to find it more costly to keep buying Bravos than it would be to upgrade them to something more stout, but it will take time for you to realize that cost difference. The alternative is to baby the **** out of it to make them last... which gets you back to your/Adam's point of 'why bother' if you HAVE to baby them.

EDIT: Another critical factor here is resale... selling a big power boat with bravo drives is a real tough sell. Likewise, people are willing to pay a premium for stout drives knowing they wont have to cough up $5k for a bravo every season at these power levels.

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I also love Pat's qoute on fast cheap and reliable you only get two. It is so true. I never look for the cheap way out. I either do it or I don't. If I was worried that if something broke that I would be out of boating temporarliy or permantly then I would sell everything and find a new hobby. But at the same time if it breaks or I am afraid to take it far or it drinks fuel like Kevin drinks Kettle One and 7 up then I would also get out. It needs to fun and enjoyable for me to justify the $20,000 a year it takes for me to do this sport with the insurance, rack storing, fuel,winterizing and upkeep etc. I don't want to worry about using or breaking it. At the same time I know I want to have a decent speed, my goal is 75mph cruise and a 95mph top end. I know I will never have the fastest ride out there nor do I want it for the reason already mentioned.

At the end of the day there's not much sanity in this type of boating... all but a few of the more privileged on here have to realize this. It all boils down to your priorities and budget regarding the basic three (fast, cheap, and reliable). There's no right answer here, you have to decide for yourself what your desires and goals are. I will say the base you buy into determines a lot of what your options are going forward, which is why I spent as long as I did to purchase my last boat. It basically summarized the overall package I wanted and offered me a decent platform within where I wanted to operate. I wasn't looking for the 'prettiest', biggest, fastest, nicest etc, but it was almost exactly what I was looking for in a overall package (power package, staggared, boat size, condition, and amenities) at a price point I was willing to buy at. I knew going into it that the engines in my boat were going to take some time and money to run. Obviously your priorities and mine (or anyone else's will differ) since I trailer my boats and maintain my own stuff. There are no right or wrong answers here, just individual preferences.

Again, I'm not offended or upset with anyone's posts on this topic, I'm just giving my two cents since you seem to be asking for it... nothing more. :kiss: