Hi guys I have spent all my boat research time on fountains and baja. I just had a guy offer me a 2004 28' Sunsation with a fully built fuel injected 502 with a whipple supercharger with 150 hours. He said it does about 85. Does this sound right?


I have two questions...


Boat looks like its pretty well maintained. How much should I look into offering him for the boat?

Is an engine that is built like this, problems? I have no mechanical experience and don't want to be dumping money into a worked engine. I was always told to buy stock.

85 MPH in a 288 would be sporty to say the least. Hydraulic steering and K-planes? If you are not into turning wrenches and don't have deep pockets to pay a shop I'd continue my search.

If this is your first boat of the offshore/performance type; I'd go with stock power.

I have boated all my life but only center consoles and cruiser type boats.

The guy says he hasnt put a wrench on the engine in 5 years. Is that even possible with a motor that isn't stock?

Just depends on the build/builder, how it has been maintained, how many hours it has been run, etc. Got a link to an ad?

I had a 502 with a Whipple in a Baja 252 fun boat for a while but I spent thousands having things corrected that were not done properly the first time around. I'm not a mechanic and had to pay for the work to be done so it got expensive quick if you just want a nice Sunsation and don't care to go 85 keep looking and find stock power. if you take a look to the left you will notice the Baja and its whipple are long gone. Three plus years now with nothing more than impellers and oil changes. If you want to pursue the boat get the engine details and call Eddie Young at Young Performance he's one of the best when it come to Whipple's.

Guy messaged me on facebook. Here is the details....

I have a 2004 28' sunsation intimidator. Top of the line boat with a fully built fuel injected 502 with whipple supercharger. Beautiful boat, runs 85-90 mph. Only 150 hours

I think it's around 5psi boost at moment so prob around 650hp, nice reliable strong setup.

From the pictures that looks like Canada Jeff's boat....that was his screen name on the Sunsation site. They have removed the forum so I would not be able to confirm. Seem to recall the engine started life as a 500EFI....valve covers look like it also. He seemed to take good care of it.

Also my 99' 288 ran 80 on GPS with 575 or so HP.

i believe the guy is from canada.


what kind of expense am i looking at with this boat vs a .....stock 496ho