Kevin,

I have an 05 with the 496 MAG and I have to say it was a good choice. I went back and forth with the thought of the HO but the additional cost at the time was not an option. I am very happy with the way the boat runs. I completely agree with Pat, go with a full hydraulic system now. Money well spent. Oh yea and the solid mounts are also a good idea, I am having to check my merc mounts twice a year.

You can always add the Raylar kit at a later date to go to 500hp.

T

Nice choice... where will you be running it.. N Shore or S Shore?

I would not even consider running a boat w/o full hydraulic external steering... stability and safety at speed. worth every penny. Solid mounts are not $, so i'd agree w/ Pat.
And I don't know how tall you are, but the buckets may be a great idea.
The 375 is fine, raylar can always take you where you want to be. and you can always upgrade the drive later.

Congrats, and enjoy... but seriously... consider the steering.

damn T, great minds think alike...

Im 6'0 so i told john to give me the bolsters bc I like the idea of being able to stand when I want but I AM also concerned about the wind blasting me in the eyes----I wear contact lenses and my eyes are very sensative so i want to take that into consideration and i would prefer to have a little shelter from the wind. I am considering throwing a small windscreen (a la cigarette top gun) on the fairing to buffer the wind a little more. So honestly I have no idea if i should go bolsters or buckets. I will definatly do solid engine mounts but do the vibrate the boat more???? and I already specd the boat with full hydraulic steering

throw up some pics of your boat please!!!!

I get blasted in the face even when I sit and I'm 5" shorter than you. Zuper lowered the sit part of his bolsters which may work for you.
Solid engine mounts will not cause any more vibration. Most vibration will come from the prop at low rpm, especially 3 blade props.

Try to get a ride in a y2k to see if you like to run sitting down.
I think it may inspire a bit of confidence to be sitting deeper in the cockpit.

There are plenty of glasses/goggles to help w/ wind.
Check the GD forum, there was just a thread on it.

Kevin,

You can see my boat on the Superboat web site. The one with the blue and yellow stripes. I changed out all the yellow interior pieces for blue and replaced the stock cabin doors with custom wood. I will post a interior pic later.

http://www.superboatonline.com/24.html

Superbash has a newer 24' with sit down seats. He may give you a ride...

IMO, the 24 is definitely a SIT-Down boat. I have the bolsters in mine and NEVER stand. I'm 5'10" and sitting or standing, the wind is tough in a 24.

Speed wise.....the 375HP will get you 75 only on the best days. I had a 454 Mag (385) and I saw 75 once. The norm was 73-74. Now I have a 496HO and have seen 80 once or twice, 77-78 is the norm.

I would bite the bullet and go with a FULL steering system. I started with an add-on, converting it to full made a HUGE difference. I'd recommend K-planes too.

I agree with the others about the offshore mount. I've been plagued with motor mount issues since I've owned my boat.