Here are some picts, 525's

 

KE675's

 

500's

 

I'd get rid of the triple (they actually hurt resale) and buy those two K/E engines listed here for sale. It's no big deal to have that hole in the transom redone.

less maint, less wories, easier to resell.

click here

http://www.speedwake.com/upload/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5837

plus you could probably rent out all that extra space to some Iraqi soldiers that will soon be fleeing Baghdad and seeking asylum in our great country! - Land of the FREE and the Home of the Brave.

- jef

 

I was actually thinking of just installing two engines but I dont know about the X-demensions being right for just two engines. Are the spacing between the engines the same as on a side by side twin? What about the X demension??? I am havibg a hard enough time buying a cover for the boat from fountain let alone asking technical questions like that. Their twin 47 is a staggared setup not a side by side. (at least all the ones I have seen)

 

no changes are needed in the xdim. You can put two engines side by side in that boat because they're side by side in the back when there's trips right?

I would be shocked if you had to touch the xdim at all!

you'll just be pushing the boat through the water with one less prop and about 1,800 lbs less weight.

- jeff

 

Ray,

Don't forget the X on that boat is set up for 3 454's it may need to be changed or you may have to play with spacers to get it perfect. It will run 94 with the current X dimension @ 700hp.
My vote goes for choice #5 x3 I'm sure that's a shock to you

 

Ray,
I am about to sell those motors at a reduced price....if your interested call me.

Brett 386-405-6743

 

Just a thought, but if I sprung for a set (or three) of KE's, I would probably want to hang on to them for more than 2 - 3 years. Just a tought. I love following the progress of this boat. Please keep us well informed.

Oh yeah, my vote is for the 525's. It seems they would be the best for re-sale and the friendliest to the Bravo drives.

-Bayley

 

Whats the price difference in the 500hp's to the 525hp's?

 

$3,066.00 Each.

The 525's feature closed cooling berret heads and better headers. I think it's a pretty good deal for 3K

 

I somewhat agree with Jeff on the resale appeal of two engines versus three.

Pros: Tripple setup will yeild a longer life on the drives.

Con: Buy stock in Oil and spark plugs. Those High Performace babies need 8 to 10 quarts a piece and they prefer sythetic. $$$$$$$ Not to mention that yearly drain drive and pull drive to do the u-joint inspections and lube that most boaters don't do.

As for engines, I heard alot of good things about the new 525's, but then again that's what I've heard.

I have a pair of 500HP EFI's. Love Them. I just woke them up for the first time this year after a long cold winter. Those babies came to life like they were just run the day before.

With the triple setup, you can get buy with less heavy duty drives. With the twins, your going to need that big HP, and you'll need a couple of beefy drives. In the end there won't be that much difference in cost, except for maintenance.

Two or Three, Hum, Either way, boats are not going to sell very quick until we get through this crap going on with the economy.

 

I would say the 525 EFI's, they are the best of what is available without blowers. I believe if I was looking for a good used boat, I would be skeptical of blown engines, and to get one with the newest kids on the block (525 EFI's), would make the decision easier.

 

I would have to say the 525's. I love stock motors simply for the reliability factor. Triple 525's has a nice ring to it too

Good luck in your decision!

 

The Merc products will definitely help the resale, and the blowers will hurt it. I'd vote for either the 500HP or the 525's - the 500's have a strong reputation as reliable power, the 525's haven't had enough running time to build that rep, IMHO.

 

... plus you could probably rent out all that extra space to some Iraqi soldiers that will soon be fleeing Baghdad and seeking asylum in our great country! - Land of the FREE and the Home of the Brave.

- jef

Jeff, you crack me up! :laugher: :laugher: :laugher:

 

I vote for the triple KE 675's

 

525's- or, check with the builder in MICH-that has started doing marine engines. I will have to look for the name.

 

Your Money.........KE 675 s
My Money..........hp 500 s

 

525EFI
Smooth as silk.

 

I'd save the money that you would spend on the third engine and use it to buy larger twin engines. With a 47' Fountain, I think a pair of 1150 Sterlings would be awesome! But that's just my opinion.

 

I would look at big staggered twins and surface drives. Lots of room inside to do the maintenance and little maintenance and breakage on the outside.

 

I don't think I could change to staggerd the stringers are all in the wrong spots? Unless you know something I don't. Not that I want to plug 3 transom cut outs either. I would of loved to get a staggered set up, I think this offers the best for performance and maintenence ease.

 

Given that all the packages are relatively the same price... I would go with the 500EFIs and the 3.3L Whipples. When you go to sell take the Whipples off and sell with the 500EFIs.

 

Ray i only wish i had your problem !!! No matter what you chose it will be one of a kind.