Sorry for my ignorance, but why do you not see crusader engines on performance boats? I know the engines are more for bigger boats, but so are diesels. Lately I've seen a couple of people thinking outside the box and trying diesel engines in high performance boats, so why not consider a crusader engine? It seems pretty obvious that these engines have superior life than mercury, especially in salt water conditions. I see boats from the 70's still running on original crusader power yet their priced much less and they offer the 2 year warranty. Their 496 is 425hp, and they even have a 6.0 375hp small block. Didn't the old magnums come with crusader engines? Probobly not ideal if you run WOT all the time, but I usually cruise around 3-4000rpms.

Comparison of merc vs crusader
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasEngines.htm

That' A Pretty Good Rite Up .
Make's You Think About Your Next Motor .

bump, somebody has to know the answer to this.

they don't have a motor/drive package??

Straight from the horses mouth (crusader)

Most of the mercs are what they call high performance engines and usually they have modified the internal engine to achieve more power. There is no reason the Crusader package would not work. I know we have been installed in the repower side. As far as the top speed is concerned, it is hard to say. How many horsepower are you running now? If the new engine is installed and reaches full rpm, it should give the same results

This has been the problem with many engine builders, I have never understood why one of the drive companies and engine builders don't partner up and offer a competitive package.

WILL

Did you notice the post date 1997?

We forgive you for your ignorance

NOPE DIDN'T SEE THAT
BUT IF YOU WHERE STAYING WITH A 496HO MOTOR MPI CRUSADER HAS THEM FOR UNDER 14 K , SOUND LIKE A GOOD DEAL BUT I HAVEN'T CHECK MERC PRICE'S ON THESE MOTOR'S

Merc prices are around $17,500 for the 496HO, and the crusader warranty is two years compared to merc's one year. I don't care if that post was from 1997, if bigger boats still choose crusader over merc today then there is sure to be a reason for it. Perhaps Ed Cozzi can give us his surveyor opinion.