496 MAG HO 425 HP Vs. 525 HP EFI 500 HP

[mike37]

can you say Teage motor thats what I would do

[mmered8299]

can you say Teage motor thats what I would do
When I was at the boat show this year there were a half dozen of gus building some nice looking motors.

[rvrhlic]

get the 496 HO and upgrade to an XR drive.
if its is not fast enough for you, buy the Raylar kit. www.raylarengine.com
he has two flavors to choose from
Trust me on this one.... Get as much as you can in the beginning you are just going to want more anyway. Also, once you start messing with the stock merc stuff you can have issues.

[Kilrtoy]

What is amazing is how many people say buy the small stuff, I guess they dont want to be the only slow ones on the lake...
NOBODY BUYS A LITTLE ENGINE BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE ASPIRING FOR...
When it comes to boats use this rule.....
buy as much as you can afford, then buy one step after that....
You will regret a small engine, I MEAN REGRET A SMALL ENGINE...
525 is a good starting place, but I would go bigger....

[TPI]

This is a no brainer. If your ONLY choice is a 496 or 525, BUY THE 525! 90% of ALL customers under power their boat when its being built because of STICKER SHOCK! But they will spend a ridiculous amount a year later trying to upgrade their motor that wasnt designed to be upgraded. It is a fact, and it happens all year long. Find a way to swing it financially and dont look back. You will be much happier(IMO).

[TCHB]

How much does it help in the resale market?

[phebus]

What does it cost to upgrade to an Ilmor package?

[Creator]

How much does it help in the resale market?
Engine is everything, Find me a boat that carries a high resale value with no motor, The better the engine the higher the resale. In todays market a good engine cost as much or more than the boat itself.

[TCHB]

I just looked in the Boatrader and it seems like the 525 gets about $5K at best on used boats.

[Kilrtoy]

I just looked in the Boatrader and it seems like the 525 gets about $5K at best on used boats.
That would depend on the manufacture of the boat.....