Sure Gary, you and I know where we stand on this one.
The route that Cary took to have a 600+HP engine is not the one I would take, but the cost of his engine vs. yours is about 1/2.

90,000hmmmm....
How much woulda Y2K w/ 496mag HO, XR, external steering, monster gauges, & basic electronics cost? and how fast w/ the new hull?
I bet less than 90k and 75-77mph? I'd go new. 5yr warranty. And call raylar when i'm bored w/ 77.

And I know Pat w/ agree w/ me on this one.

I hear you, but i didn't travel worldwide w/ my boat.
I barely left Long Island.
Zul775 <$ Merc 600.

Bern, you'd know. You barely hold a boat for 1 season.
And i'll tell you what, my boat sold cause it had custom power.
The buyer just 'loved' the way my engine looked.
Some hot rodders like to be different.
Could you imagine if all the ricers left their civics stock!

Storm, you make a valid point, I may end up with a Ron Potter motor, but I must say merc. racing would be my first choice on another new build. Hmmmmmmm, 850 !!!!!! Merc Racing

But will it last half as long ?????

Yes Storm, You and I are in agreement.
Stock Merc 496HO with a 5 year warranty.
If you want bigger power, go custom from a local marine engine builder.
Hell, for the cost of a 496HO Bravo X package, you can piece together a 500+HP/502 Bravo X. But you could only get a 1 year warranty.

That remains to be seen. The add says 220hours, but how many with the Whipple?
Like I said earlier, Cary chose a different route to 600-650HP than I would have. Raylar has a kit to turn a Merc 496 into a 600+HP naturally aspirated for about the same $$ as the Whipple and you end up with better forged internals. The Raylar kit for 600+ is not a bolt on though.

I would agree that if this boat had a Merc Racing 525 or 600 it would hold more value.
Now is the boat worth more with the Whipple bolted on the 496? To me yes, but I would also agree if she was still stock, there may be more interest.

Can the 496 handle the extra HP from The Whipple ??? I guess we are talking from 175 to 225 more. ????