500R OB VS 520/XR IO (funny and boat content)

[Tank]

Had to bring this conversation over here from
OSO since it’s actually a really good question and thought provoking.

Merc 520EFI/XR combo roughly $40k and the Merc 500R being about $70k, at what price do you still save money going with outboards?

But mostly because of buddy Dan (not big Danimal) reply. I’m Fuckin rollin!!


“Eggbeaters are like a vanilla wife.... reliable, practicle , will have dinner on the table, takes care of the kids, wakes up early to make you breakfast and lunch, mostly likes missionary.
Inboards are like the ditry little slut you pick up at a bar, buy her drinks all night cause she`s a lush, gets drunk and loud and Ferile under the sheets and you wake up with your wallet gone in the morning wondering what in the hell happened and why your dick burns when you pee.”

 

[AZLineman]

I will always choose the dirty little slut.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I love the 520/XR combo because you can add big tube headers and tune it. Can easily beef up to something better than a 565 for less cost than actually getting the stupid 565....(worst power option ever BTW...IMO)

 

[Tank]

I love the 520/XR combo because you can add big tube headers and tune it. Can easily beef up to something better than a 565 for less cost than actually getting the stupid 565....(worst power option ever BTW...IMO)

That’s interesting. Good to know.

I personally like This beast! However, 96k

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

That’s interesting. Good to know.

I personally like This beast! However, 96k

View attachment 1262551

It never caught on for some reason. Not sure why. I always liked that motor. Sounds so sick!!

 

[Todd Mohr]

Or you can have 2 2.5 2 strokes, like a 3 way with 2 red heads

 

[Tank]

It never caught on for some reason. Not sure why. I always liked that motor. Sounds so sick!!

Dealer I know
Has 4 42X cigarettes on order. All
With 860’s. Guess the boat runs really well
With them and you don’t have the maintenance of turbo motors.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Dealer I know
Has 4 42X cigarettes on order. All
With 860’s. Guess the boat runs really well
With them and you don’t have the maintenance of turbo motors.

Luv the sound of the big inch naturally aspirated motors.
Skater won't install the MERC 860s, Peter says the torque curve doesn't work properly on his boats. They will do the 700s or 1100s & up. Always seemed strange to me

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Luv the sound of the big inch naturally aspirated motors.
Skater won't install the MERC 860s, Peter says the torque curve doesn't work properly on his boats. They will do the 700s or 1100s & up. Always seemed strange to me

There will be a big gap in torque at low RPM with the 860 vs the 700 or even the 600. The 860 needs to rev to make power. Anything with forced induction will hit harder low to midrange... and you have a lake full of cool water to keep the charge air cool.

 

[Yoshiro]

That description of an outboard vs inboards is spot on. That's why I keep a spare inboard engine around so you don't miss out on a season!

 

[pkrrvr619]

Luv the sound of the big inch naturally aspirated motors.
Skater won't install the MERC 860s, Peter says the torque curve doesn't work properly on his boats. They will do the 700s or 1100s & up. Always seemed strange to me

That eliminator they built with the 860s was one of the craziest sounding boats I’ve heard.

 

[rivermobster]

That's pretty funny!

 

[GR8WHITE]

That’s interesting. Good to know.

I personally like This beast! However, 96k

View attachment 1262551

Never caught on because it's $96k lol.

 

[MK1MOD0]

Luv the sound of the big inch naturally aspirated motors.
Skater won't install the MERC 860s, Peter says the torque curve doesn't work properly on his boats. They will do the 700s or 1100s & up. Always seemed strange to me

maybe it needs a 2 speed transmission to work properly in the skaters in order to get them on plane easier ?

 

[OLDRAAT]

Do they still run aerator tubes on cats these days? Just wondering

 

[GR8WHITE]

Luv the sound of the big inch naturally aspirated motors.
Skater won't install the MERC 860s, Peter says the torque curve doesn't work properly on his boats. They will do the 700s or 1100s & up. Always seemed strange to me

DOHC are known for making torque and horsepower very high in the RPM range which is not useful in the operating range of a boat or truck in my opinion. Look at Ford, that's why they made the new 7.3 gas godzilla engine a pushrod "dino" engine. They need the torque curve low where it's going to live most of it's life while towing. I would think think especially on a skater not having all that torque available down low would make it a dog out of the hole. I have been known to be wrong too lol.

 

[ChrisV]

That eliminator they built with the 860s was one of the craziest sounding boats I’ve heard.

The red and white one? That shit sounds sooo good

 

[GR8WHITE]

The red and white one? That shit sounds sooo good

I need a sound clip.

 

[hallett21]

I like my stuff to just work. I/O or Outboard lol.

I’ll take reliability all day to 100mph. After that, sure you can have the comparable psycho bar chick .

I think 25ft and under the 500r will have the advantage. Center of gravity, ability to use a jack plate etc.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I need a sound clip.

Not the one he is talking about but here is a DCB that was outfitted with them.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

That’s interesting. Good to know.

I personally like This beast! However, 96k

View attachment 1262551

When I built my Skater, I was going with these. 700's were discontinued and the 1100's were just not in the plan. At lunch, Peter told me that these are "OK" but not a great motor for a cat. His assessment was that a supercharged/Turbo motor is a far better choice.

Tony went on to tell me he'll call his Mercury rep when we get back to the plant. He called his guy and had it on speaker. The guy hemmed and hawed and let the cat out of the bag that the 700's were coming back. I think some of my problems were due to my motors were built to a new spec with old spec parts that were left over. I think IIRC mine were the first built of the re-introduced 700's.

 

[Skinny Tire AH]

Luv the sound of the big inch naturally aspirated motors.
Skater won't install the MERC 860s, Peter says the torque curve doesn't work properly on his boats. They will do the 700s or 1100s & up. Always seemed strange to me

Haha, guess I shoulda read the entire thread before I said the same thing you did.

 

[pkrrvr619]

The red and white one? That shit sounds sooo good

That's the one. Took the Tres class with the family that built it chatted with them about the build. Saw them later that year in Parker and that thing sounded unreal. Always wondered what made the 860 sound so fierce...

 

[attitude]

That's the one. Took the Tres class with the family that built it chatted with them about the build. Saw them later that year in Parker and that thing sounded unreal. Always wondered what made the 860 sound so fierce...

Red and white 33x?

 

[ChrisV]

Red and white 33x?

42 I believe. Owned by a gun company.

 

[Motoxxxloak]

42 I believe. Owned by a gun company.

Think they mean this one, and it has Teague 1400’s (I think..maybe 1200’s?)

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Think they mean this one, and it has Teague 1400’s (I think..maybe 1200’s?)

This is the one. He had it for sale not short after, not sure if it ever sold or not.

36' Speedster w/ Bustle Twin 860 6 Drives

Pulling the mold to be waxed and taped for gelcoat. Overall length of this build is 39'8".

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[pkrrvr619]

This is the one. He had it for sale not short after, not sure if it ever sold or not.

36' Speedster w/ Bustle Twin 860 6 Drives

Pulling the mold to be waxed and taped for gelcoat. Overall length of this build is 39'8".

www.riverdavesplace.com

*Edit, not that one. Close!

 

[ChrisV]

Bingo. Thing sounded like an absolute monster....

Thought you meant this one.

But yes, that 33x sounds insane also.

 

[pkrrvr619]

Thought you meant this one.

But yes, that 33x sounds insane also.


View attachment 1262782

I was mistaken. The one you posted above was the one i was referring to. Good catch. It was built and then sold within a year if i remember correctly. Was amusing watching a 40' eliminator do a u turn in parker. Great show!

 

[Motoxxxloak]

This is the one. He had it for sale not short after, not sure if it ever sold or not.

36' Speedster w/ Bustle Twin 860 6 Drives

Pulling the mold to be waxed and taped for gelcoat. Overall length of this build is 39'8".

www.riverdavesplace.com

Forgot all about that boat. Did they stop making the 40? I loved that bustle

 

[ChrisV]

I was mistaken. The one you posted above was the one i was referring to. Good catch. It was built and then sold within a year if i remember correctly. Was amusing watching a 40' eliminator do a u turn in parker. Great show!

That’s a big ass boat on Parker…

 

[bonesfab]

Or you can have 2 2.5 2 strokes, like a 3 way with 2 red heads

You would be losing the house after that.

 

[Todd Mohr]

You would be losing the house after that.

If I survived.

 

[Bigbore500r]

It never caught on for some reason. Not sure why. I always liked that motor. Sounds so sick!!

Cause it's 100k for 800hp lol

 

[Bigbore500r]

Or you can have 2 2.5 2 strokes, like a 3 way with 2 red heads

Or you can have a 455 Olds, which is like the big chick at last call....

You have fun, but you won't tell your friends. The sheer noise and racket has you thinking things are happening quicker than they are. You catch a whiff here and there of something burning. You gotta keep an eye on lubrication. You don't wanna hurt her - but you know this isn't forever.
After 3 or 4 romps...... its over - but it's not a surprise.

 

[counterpart7]

Cause it's 100k for 800hp lol

Honest question, what’s 800hp cost from one of the big builders? Anyone know?

Edit: Assuming that’s including a 6 drive? Lots of cost savings if going SCX/similar?

 

[JFMFG]

Honest question, what’s 800hp cost from one of the big builders? Anyone know?

Edit: Assuming that’s including a 6 drive? Lots of cost savings if going SCX/similar?

That’s a good question.

 

[Blackmagic94]

So here’s my question



What’s faster


A 32’ cat with twin 520s XR speedmasters that roost

Or

32’ cat with twin 500Rs

Both same hull


Now through it another loop. With 60k extra in savings you now have a

700sci Nxt vs 500r. Which is faster for the dollar total spent

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So here’s my question



What’s faster


A 32’ cat with twin 520s XR speedmasters that roost

Or

32’ cat with twin 500Rs

Both same hull


Now through it another loop. With 60k extra in savings you now have a

700sci Nxt vs 500r. Which is faster for the dollar total spent

The same boat with with the dual 520s will run run similar to the same boat with dual 400Rs.

Seems you need 100-150 HP more in an I/O to hang with a given OB.

 

[MR HARLEY]

So here’s my question



What’s faster


A 32’ cat with twin 520s XR speedmasters that roost

Or

32’ cat with twin 500Rs

Both same hull


Now through it another loop. With 60k extra in savings you now have a

700sci Nxt vs 500r. Which is faster for the dollar total spent

Gonna go with 32 with 500r's.

XR speedmasters roost? No shit?

1 700nxt vs 1 500r?

I'd say they would be pretty close.

 

[MR HARLEY]

The same boat with with the dual 520s will run with dual 400Rs.

So your saying the 500s will walk on the 520's is what I'm deciphering.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So your saying the 500s will walk on the 520's is what I'm deciphering.

Yes. 500s aren’t needed in this comparison… so the cost of a 500R is irrelevant.

 

[MR HARLEY]

Yes. 500s aren’t needed in this comparison… so the cost of a 500R is irrelevant.

But that wasn't the comparison being asked about.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

But that wasn't the comparison being asked about.

If you want to sound good and get embarrassed… the 520s. If you want to have a conversation on the boat at 130, use less fuel, have cheaper operating costs, and embarrass more people.. get the 500s

I don’t even think comparing the 2 is a fair fight.

FWIW I have not heard a 500… but the 450s sounds pretty good.

 

[dnewps]

There will be a big gap in torque at low RPM with the 860 vs the 700 or even the 600. The 860 needs to rev to make power. Anything with forced induction will hit harder low to midrange... and you have a lake full of cool water to keep the charge air cool.

Yeah but you prop to the rpm...so the lower torque is also with a lower pitch. Good for some boats...apparently bad for some others...namely boats that are surfacing

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Yeah but you prop to the rpm...so the lower torque is also with a lower pitch. Good for some boats...apparently bad for some others...namely boats that are surfacing

That’s probably where the conundrum comes in.. those 860s can rev to 6800. It will need a tall pitch to leverage the horsepower on the top end. I could see that simply not working that well in some applications.

 

[Icky]

This is the one. He had it for sale not short after, not sure if it ever sold or not.

36' Speedster w/ Bustle Twin 860 6 Drives

Pulling the mold to be waxed and taped for gelcoat. Overall length of this build is 39'8".

www.riverdavesplace.com

He's a member here

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

He's a member here

Yup @Thunderhead1

 

[rivrrts429]

FWIW I have not heard a 500… but the 450s sounds pretty good.

That’s like saying a Honda Civic or Subaru sounds good compared to a Big Block. I don’t get the infatuation with the sound of todays outboards. They sound like sewing machines lol