I am looking at a 99 33 Outlaw with hp 500 that have 290 hours on them ,,what do you think ,is it time for engine problems?? are there any problems with this model that I need to know about? How does it handle rough water? any and all input is helpful in making my choice. Thanks

I believe that year you have to take a close look at the stringers.

I'm not sure on the engines but I thought with the older HP500 they had valve spring problems around 200 hours. As for the boat itself, it rides great. I go in the ocean al the time and it run (most of the time) with the big boys.

I believe some of those engines had valve spring problems.I've got a 98 with 454mags in it I bought it used with 125 hours on it,the Bajas with stringer problems were 29 Outlaws and I think some 36 Outlaws I may be wrong.I haven't heard of any real issues with the 33.As far as the ride goes I had a 25 Outlaw before and it is no comparison,the 33 rides very well,it has a huge cockpit which is real nice,and they are reasonably fast,I run pretty consistent 68-70 on gps if it's a nice boat priced right i would buy it.

33' with the HP500's should run around 77-78MPH. I have an 03 33' with 496 HO's and I run 75MPH GPS. However I do think that the 02-04 is a little faster hull.

Tide,

I think in 02 they raised the X dimension and in 03 they put a pad in the keel.

N2,
I have a 98 with 2000 500hp efis. Boat runs 78. Handles rough water awesome. Old school 24 degree deadrise hull, nothing fancy but proven wave crusher and very predictable. The boats biggest positive is the enormous cockpit. Mine has the 4 bolster option, We can fit 8 people plus all the coolers. After owning a fountain with no room it is great. Don't let people tell you the quality is not there. The fit and finish on my boat is every bit as good as my Fountain. I love mine, but more importantly, my wife and kids love it, so I get to go fast and they are comfortable. Win Win.

Hey Mike0311, what graphics do you have. I, too, have an '03 33 and run out of Bayville. Haven't seen you around.

98's and 99's have had issues with broken
valve springs ( mine failed before 200 hrs)

I was also lucky enough to have a lifter break

Aside from that, they've been flawless since.

The 33 is a good boat ( I'm even pondering on one right now)


I think the "pad" was added on in 04'


jt

I'm not sure exactly the difference between the hulls but I know I read that people with 99ish hulls were running slower then people with the same HP with newer hulls. As for the pad I think it was mistakenly reported in Powerboat Magazine that the 03 had the pad. My 03 does not and I think it came out in 04.