Guys, brand new to the forum. WOW, what a site. Heres why I am posting. Just bought a late 80s 23' velocity. It is just pristine. The old owner put a 525SC (Carbed) in it. The boat runs 88 GPS and is just out of my comfort level at those speeds. It chine walks and is a total bear to hang on to. I dont need this much motor. Since I need to replace it with a smaller motor, what would you recommend? I was thinking 496 since the 454 is no longer made. 75 MPH would be plenty.

Also, how do I sell this 525 and where do I get a 496. What is the 525 worth and how much will the 496 cost? 525 has 101 hours on it.

Thanks for any help.

Forgot to mention, that I am in Southern Wisconsin

Wow this is a first for the site to much power. Why not just learn to run the boat and handle with this much power, you don't have to run wide open all the time. If you set it up with the right prop you should be able to get great hole shots and mid range. Also does the boat have trim tabs and a hydraulic steering that would help with handling.

Why not just put a rev limiter in? By the time you switch motors you'll have some extra money in that doesn't seem worth it.

Stick with the blue motor, put in a rev limiter, try some different props. In a year, you will be taking those mods out and wanting the speed back once you get a feel fro the boat. The 525 is a much better motor then anything you are going to downgrade to. If you keep it babied it will last for a long time of trouble free boating. You will not make out in the longrun. Just my opionion. Not to mention this is a first on offshore. Going for smaller power

Right, I would opt for not running that motor so hard till you get a handle on the boat. Its just going to last longer.

Just try not to push the throttle down as far and save your self a lot of money and work.

OK guys heres a few more reasons this downgrade makes sense.

1. Insurance, not even sure I can get Insurance on it seeing as the HP level is so much greater than what the boat came with

2. Fuel. The boat is on Lake Wisconsin, there are no pumps on the lake with 93 octane. This means, take it off the lift, load on a trailer and fuel it every time I want to use it. Doesnt sound like to much fun. I cant see hauling gas to the lake either, major pain.

3. Experience- I just dont have that kind of experience and am humble enough to admit that. Its really way to much motor.

You guys are funny though, I kind of figured Id get this kind of response. The boat is seriously scary at 88 MPH and Id like to think I have pretty big kahunas.

So, back to the original question. What should I "downgrade" to...BBY

downgrade to a bigger boat then you won't be scared at the speeds because it will feel slower

Ernie

#1 Not sure about the insurance issue but I'd check.

#2 The 525's (assuming the newer closed cooling versions, not the older blower versions) were built to run 87 octane.

#3 Thankfully someone understands their limitations regarding experience/ speed, your car can run over 100 mph.....but you don't do it very often do you???

If you have the newer 525 and are deaset on a 496 I'm sure someone would trade with you. They should owe you money in exchange but not sure what $$$$. Hell, you could probably get a shop to install a brand new 496 with new warranties in exchange for giving them the 525 (no money changing hands).....but I wouldn't do it!!!!