Does anyone have information or opinions on Zuls?
I live on LI, and thought if I was ever going to go extreme, it would
be nice to have the builder local. Am I right on that point?

I don't think you could go wrong with them. They would be on my list for sure.

Do they build EFI or just carb motors?

I have them. They have been great. Mine have been very fuel efficient as well.

Damn....those are sweet......and from what I hear they run pretty damn good too........

both. Recent good article in PB not long ago about ZUL

My friend had a set of Zul's where Richie had tweaked on a 575sc. Unfortunately, his silent choice tips got stuck without his knowledge (first boat) and eventually damaged the engines. They were pulled, freshened, and have ran perfectly ever since in a different boat.

They were purty as well.

Spitfire1: Thanks man. They are almost as pretty as that Gladiator.

Here are my buddies Zul's

PRG T/S, are you anywhere near NY?
Do you think it matters if you boat near the builder
for servicing reasons?
How would you compare the ZULs or any other Custom builder
to Merc for reliability or Resale?

The boat stays in Miami in the Winter at LipShip. It stays in Oklahoma in the Summer where I live full time.

I don't think it matters much if you have someone to do the easy stuff (change plugs, oil, belts, etc).

Personnally, I think Richie builds an excellent engine. I don't have to tune on them everytime I go out, like I see others having to do. They start everytime. They don't burn oil. I will get 250-300 hours in before I decide to do a little freshening (I have 190 right now).

I still feel that Mercury is the best all around engine out there. I just want something between the 525 and 900 or 1075. They have millions of dollars in R&D and testing, so it's hard to compete with that. Mercury also has certified dealers and mechanics on every little puddle of water in the country.

Resale will always depend on what your buyer feels is the best for them. Some like Mercury products which will more than likely be the best resale since they have a bigger audience.

Some like Zul, Sterling, Keith Eickert, Cobra, etc. because they can build whatever hp you desire. Your kinda stuck with what Mercury already produces.

Hope that helps at least a little.

Thanks for the input.
After reading the posts here about mercs HP gap, and the $, I was
thinking of other builders. I would think of putting something more
than 525 in a 28-30 single. I've got lots of time before my next boat,
but always thinking of it.