To finally feel like I have completed my ongoing project (boat) the only thing left that is not new in some way shape or form is the interior. With that being said I will be having the interior done here shortly since the warm weather is starting to show its face around here. While the hatch is off at the interior shop I'm going to be adding a scoop. The motor will definitely be able to benefit from the extra clean air flow but given there is great debate on here on scoop direction which would be better? Understandably forward would net more air flow but is it worth it vs the extra engine noise relayed through the scoop opening? The boat is loud enough as it is but any extra air would be helpful given its a 600hp sbc in an engine compartment that once sat a 350mag. Would a reversed scoop cause a pressure imbalance on under hatch air flow? Thanks.

**Edit**
Looking at or a similar scoop to the Unlimited Products SC-714

Windshield or no windshield?
80mph or 120mph?
Square transom or droop transom?

There's no "one answer" on this. Each boat punches a different hole in the air, and even SAME boat at different speeds will change the positive/negative pressure areas.

You already KNOW you are gonna cut a hole for the scoop. Cut a smaller than necessary hole, ratchet strap the scoop on facing one way. Duck tape a shop rag in the mouth of the scoop, go make a high speed pass. Does the shop rag blow INTO the scoop, or does it waggle OUT of the scoop. Make a pass with it hanging out and watch it. Now, stuff the loose end into the scoop and watch it.
Now, loosen the straps and reverse the scoop. Make passes with the rag out and in and see what kind of action you get.

Bottom line, if you aren't running deep into the 100mph zone, it's not going to make a huge difference. The engine will like having MORE air, whichever direction the scoop faces.

Now, if you are concerned about loud engine noise, then DO NOT run with the scoop open towards your ears. They are definitely louder that way. I used to run a Merc 2.4 with a 14-petal front-half with velocity stacks on the carbs aimed right at the back of my head. At 8,000 rpm it was painful. I loved it, but it's one of the reasons I cant carry on a conversation with my wife at a restaurant these days.

Spent a good bit of time in a boat with twin 575SCi's and forward facing scoops. It was too loud. Cool, but too loud.

When you are wearing a helmet, ear plugs, and your Lifeline jacket, noise is not a concern, but when you have friends on the boat and your buddy keeps repeating "fat bottomed girls" from his playlist cause he can't hear it well - it's those times you will wish it was facing backwards.

MC

I am in the low to mid 80s range at the moment. There is an air flow limitation currently as it is now and certainly with more flow, I can turn the motor up a little more. The motor can certainly use it to get back to its full potential without pushing it too hard. Just didn't know if there was a grave benefit of one over the other that would offset the noise. At the moment I am leaning toward facing it rearward.