Engine Upgrade Costs

[Matt Trulio]

Does this ring true to you guys?

http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2010/01/the-big-picture-playing-the-engine-upgrade-game/

I hope so. I'd love to hear your stories.

I actually like this story, and not because I wrote it. I usually hate my own stories.

Comes with the job.

 

[Ratickle]

For the short version, that's pretty close.

When I did the Scorpion it was engines, then drives, then trannies. So when I did the Marlin, we switched the drive at the same time......

 

[Airpacker]

Then theres cooling system upgrades, fuel system up grades, engine mount up grades, transom assembly upgrades etc etc etc........................... I don't think it ever ends does it?

 

[drpete3]

In my opinion it makes more sence to just go buy the boat that already has the power and speed you want and sell your current boat. Cause given the example in the article you wont be able to sell that for the extra $ you just put into it. I understand its tough to sell any boat but in IMO if you can then thats the way to so it.

 

[2112]

I don't think it ever ends does it?

NO :leaving:

.

 

[YankeY]

Trust me it never ends...and then you start right back over when you think your done.

 

[Raylar]

BOAT= Bring 0n Another Thousand !

My thought here being an engine building and refit company.
Whan you are upgrading power, ie: HP and torque increases you must look at the total power package.
What does that mean? It means that every thing related to power development and delivery must be taken into account.

A Performance boater wanting to make substantial increases in power and performance must be budgeted and prepared to make possible upgrades in Engine, exhaust, fuel delivery, drive strength, prop type and setup, and possible hull changes such as tab placement and type, steering system as well as possible boat bottom improvements.

If they are not prepared to look at all these possible needs and possible expenses, then don't start to begin with until they have compared the total costs and trouble with the possibility and expense of a newer boat with better performance characteristics from a start point.

The trap that a lot of performance boaters fall into is they start with undersized budgets and oversized expectations and in reality these don't meet in the middle!

Educate, Investigate,Compare,Set your Budget, Plan your work and work your Plan, Don't set goals you can't achieve, Listen to the Voice of Real Expierence and always remember "Boating is supposed to be Fun" !!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

 

[JupiterSunsation]

Then you need to consider is that 20 MPH worth losing the reliability that stock HO offered in addition to the money?

In the case of my own boat (32 Sunsation MCOB) with 377's it runs low 70's reliably. With a pair of 496 HO's it will run low 80's, with 525's it will run 90. To me the cost of the upgrades isn't worth going 10-20 mph faster in this 32, I would just buy another boat with the bigger power already in it. A 90 MPH 32 with a hole in the bow is a scary thought!

 

[Matt Trulio]

Good points, Jupiter. I have driven a 32-foot V-bottom with hugely upgraded power and, frankly, it wasn't a whole lot of fun. The power caught my attention. So did the boat's lack of high-speed stability. That one really caught my attention. Too much power, too little hull.

Hey, it happens.

I guess the point of my article is that engine upgrades only begin with the upgrade kit.

 

[pullmytrigger]

In my opinion it makes more sence to just go buy the boat that already has the power and speed you want and sell your current boat. Cause given the example in the article you wont be able to sell that for the extra $ you just put into it. I understand its tough to sell any boat but in IMO if you can then thats the way to so it.

Sad but theres lots of people out there who have given up trying to sell their boats and are just keeping it.....

 

[JupiterSunsation]

Good points, Jupiter. I have driven a 32-foot V-bottom with hugely upgraded power and, frankly, it wasn't a whole lot of fun. The power caught my attention. So did the boat's lack of high-speed stability. That one really caught my attention. Too much power, too little hull.

Hey, it happens.

I guess the point of my article is that engine upgrades only begin with the upgrade kit.

Matt the saying goes: It isn't how fast your boat/car goes it is how well your boat/car goes fast....

Another good future article may be on new boats vs used deals. Boat prices were rising faster than the dow and real estate values in the boom times. But now are manufacturers putting the pricing engine in reverse to sell more product now? Years ago a used boat would be priced on the fact that a new one would be X dollars more, artificially inflating used values. Now some boats are getting cheap enough that a 50K redo could essentially give you a new boat for almost 1/3 of what a real new boat would cost.

XYZ brand 40ft boat is 400K new. XYZ brand 40 ft used 2001-2002 is 100K in running but tired condition. New cockpit vinyl/gauges/shifters/throttles/wheel, trailer rebuild and motor/drives freshened for 50K puts you in a like new boat for 150K. Same hull, same power, everything you touch in cockpit is new but 250K less.....gives a guy strong balance in the check book to run/enjoy/maintain that boat for years to come.

 

[2112]

BOAT= Bring 0n Another Thousand !

It's not Bend Over And Take it? :sifone:

.

 

[Raylar]

Not unless you're dealing with dishonest people in the industry. Taking another thousand now days also just about applys to any upgrade, ie, house, car, boat, plane , Girlfriend!!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

 

[Lubejobs42]

I know i spent at least $500 last year in maintenence and repairs!!

 

[Tyler Crockett]

Does this ring true to you guys?

http://features.boats.com/boat-content/2010/01/the-big-picture-playing-the-engine-upgrade-game/

I hope so. I'd love to hear your stories.

I actually like this story, and not because I wrote it. I usually hate my own stories.

Comes with the job.

The big factor is how much money do they want to spend right up front has a lot to do with the power they are going to get. A standard freshen up with nothing broken can cost 4500.00 to 5000.00. Then you add Aluminum heads and a cam, roller rockers, pushrods you add another 3800.00 So now you have almost 9000.00 and another 100 to 125 HP. Now your bearing was spun so you need a crank you might as well put a 4.250 stroke back in and now you need longer rods and new pistons and a balance job you are up another 2500.00. What you have stock exhaust now you can spend another 3000.00 to 3500.00 and your wife told you to keep the silent choice now I have to take your big cam back and give you a smaller one so you don't get water reversion. Oh with the extra power you will need a bigger oil cooler and maybe a bigger oil pan. On carburator engines if you want more RPM's now you need a new ignition.......$$= HP= MPH :driving:

 

[JupiterSunsation]

I know i spent at least $500 last year in maintenence and repairs!!

Gino your boat probably takes $10,000 shots at a time, $500 on your rig might buy a couple tires on the trailer. :sifone:

 

[CRC]

Matt, good to see you here. I enjoy your articles in Powerboat. I decided not to put any money into the 496 in my Donzi 22 Classic. I bought a low hour 525 for 20k. Exhaust tip relocation and tail pipes added another 3k or so. Wiring harness-$700. BBlades prop-about $800. The Bravo 1 upper went after 7 hours with this set-up. I already had the Imco shorty (3k) and found a brand new XR upper for about 4k. Steering is coming this spring for 5k. Long story short, I have over $90,000 into a 22' boat! Would you say I have the disease?!

 

[Matt Trulio]

CRC, many, many thanks.

Do you have the disease? I'd say you do ... and it could be terminal.

But your boat sounds great. I'll bet it's a blast.

 

[CRC]

CRC, many, many thanks.

Do you have the disease? I'd say you do ... and it could be terminal.

But your boat sounds great. I'll bet it's a blast.

Your welcome; And thank you too.