One of the boats I'm considering is a 1999 Baja 36 outlaw with a set of 500's. Am I looking at a huge difference in operating cost with fuel and maintenance compared to a boat with black motors? Boat has low 200 hours and been taken very good care of.

you coming from single black or twin?

I went from a Baja 260 with a single 454 mag carbed (which I ran stock and after some modifications) to a 36 Outlaw with twin HP 500s carbed. I don't think it is twice the cost to run as long as you don't run them to hard. Once you get into the secondaries of either the cost goes up considerably. The 36 is a great boat. You will not be giving anything up as far as ride quality, interior room both cockpit and cabin etc. They do fall short on speed when compared to some other boat of the same size and horsepower. The twin steps most are using now are good for 6-8 mph or more.

Some costs are easy to estimate, figure winterization, oil change, etc, is now times two each time you have it done. Then you can factor in shrink wrap costs and dockage based on length if you go that route. The big changes I noticed going from a 240 Sport with single 454 mag to my 36 with twin 525sc motors was the fuel. LOL I went from a 100 gallon tank to 238 gallons. So, the fuel bill was higher when topping off. There was definately an increase in cleaning time along with maintenance time for all the systems to include the fresh water system. It was not such a jump that I regret doing it. Just factor in there will be more spent on fuel and I would recommend that any time you do maintenance to one motor/drive to do it to the other.

I've noticed when researching that the Blue Merc's were racing biased and might not have as much longevity as the black units.

All that you said is true. But you did not include the fact that docking is easier, if one motor breaks you can geat home, it's way faster, sounds better and cost twice as much to rebuild. It's a no brainier to me. Pull the trigger dude.

I may be wrong but I think the op's question is not so much about twins but the difference between blue and black motors. If you want a boat that size, twins is not in question.

From my understanding, the blue/black argument is purely about speed. Black motors are super reliable, low maintenance, inexpensive and in a 36 footer, not the fastest boat on the water. Blue motors from 'Mercury Racing' will need a bit more attention to service/maintenance and everything that requires attention will cost you a touch more than the equivalent job on a stock black motor. Read the threads about maintenance and servicing, it's all about blue motors and very often, owners trying to extract a few more hp from them. If you can handle that end of the deal, your top end speed options increase tenfold.

RR

I agree with rak, I think op is asking about rebuild of the hps. From what I have read, after 300 hours, top ends need to be down, then good for another few hundreds hours. ??? So what $3000 a side for top end or $10k once one pops over 300 hrs? I have read a few sale ads that have boats with hp 500s with 1 new motor worth other close to 400 hours...

I bought a boat with new long block black motors. Burn a lil more fuel, twice oil, impellors, pivot pins, bellows, etc. I wouldn't take it back with the 8ft jump I did from a 25ol to the 33outlaw!!!

If they are carbed HP500's, they need valve springs NOW if they have not already been changed

What is it they like to say?? Oh yeah, "If you have to ask...."