Single 525 or big blower and holley or twin 525

[wfowahoo]

Old outboard guy looking to move up to 28 to ? deck boat. Love my 22 stoker but wife and I are 70. Reel ugly getting into boat off of beach. Kepting the stoker.

Looking at deck boats,not pontoon, still need to go fast. Single 525 I think is 70 to 75. Looking at twin 525's,double the maintenance. Is a Blower motor high maintenance and less longinity ?

Would love to find deck boat with twin outboards around 150k.

 

[Wizard29]

Twins. More gas and more general maintenance, but twins don't work as hard as a single. Depending on setup, a blower motor isn't necessarily more maintenance, but in most cases it will have less longevity.

If I had to choose between normally aspirated twins and a single blower motor, I'd do the twins. If one breaks, you can still get back to the dock with the other.

 

[attitude]

Old outboard guy looking to move up to 28 to ? deck boat. Love my 22 stoker but wife and I are 70. Reel ugly getting into boat off of beach. Kepting the stoker.

Looking at deck boats,not pontoon, still need to go fast. Single 525 I think is 70 to 75. Looking at twin 525's,double the maintenance. Is a Blower motor high maintenance and less longinity ?

Would love to find deck boat with twin outboards around 150k.

What about a 22-23 deck with a single 400-450 outboard?

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Dont 525s need head work at Fairly close intervals?

I don't know for sure i dont own a 525 but i feel like in my readings that blue motors have maintenance intervals that are much closer or more often than black motors. Probably would be best to research for yourself.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Old outboard guy looking to move up to 28 to ? deck boat. Love my 22 stoker but wife and I are 70. Reel ugly getting into boat off of beach. Kepting the stoker.

Looking at deck boats,not pontoon, still need to go fast. Single 525 I think is 70 to 75. Looking at twin 525's,double the maintenance. Is a Blower motor high maintenance and less longinity ?

Would love to find deck boat with twin outboards around 150k.

There seems to be an uptick on Facebook marketplace if you're interested in Facebook

 

[MR HARLEY]

Twins.

A single 525 isn't enough for a big boat like that. I would also look at something other than 525's.

I speak from experience and should have put twins in my boat from the start.

 

[Good Stuff]

Dont 525s need head work at Fairly close intervals?

I don't know for sure i dont own a 525 but i feel like in my readings that blue motors have maintenance intervals that are much closer or more often than black motors. Probably would be best to research for yourself.

Probably not much different than what some people recommend for blower motors. I have heard 200 hours for blower motor tear downs or top ends tossed around by some mechanics.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Probably not much different than what some people recommend for blower motors. I have heard 200 hours for blower motor tear downs or top ends tossed around by some mechanics.

Copy that. Is it just me or is 200 hrs. Not much?

That would be every other season for me, hence why im a N/A guy. Doesn't mean i dont like blowers i kust have to hang out in poorville.

 

[wfowahoo]

Would like to go to a bigger hull. I like the 22 stoker but it takes a pounding if your under 60 mph. Hit some rough water 4th of july and had to speed it up. Bounced grand kid out of her seat into arms of mother. Would love to hang a 450R or 500R on a 26+ deck boat. That would probably have to be new and out of my range.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Copy that. Is it just me or is 200 hrs. Not much?

That would be every other season for me, hence why im a N/A guy. Doesn't mean i dont like blowers i kust have to hang out in poorville.

it's an overzealous number. just like replacing your impeller every season whether you use it or not.

I have several 500/525efi customers who are at over 400hrs with the engines untouched because they take care of them and don't rag them out 100% of the time. I had one pair that were at about 1000hrs untouched when they were pulled and the boat was rerigged with DTS520s, they were both still good running engines with low leak down numbers.

of course they do have a couple known weak points, mainly being the stock rockers coming apart and the headers developing internal leaks over time. but again, if you take care of and maintain the motors, and aren't racing them; you will get far more than 200hrs out of them before having to pull the heads or anything along those lines.

I'd say a more real world number is closer to 500hrs depending on use.

 

[Mikes56]

I’ve got a 525 in my 28’ Topcat 1 and had 12 people on board. It took a little bit to plane out, but we went from the Nautical to Topock with no problem. I usually cruise at 3500 rpm. It’s got 152 hours and runs strong with no problems yet.

Easy oil changes, kinda easy impeller changes.

 

[Good Stuff]

Copy that. Is it just me or is 200 hrs. Not much?

That would be every other season for me, hence why im a N/A guy. Doesn't mean i dont like blowers i just have to hang out in poorville.

Oh I agree with you. I felt like 200h was a long time until I got this boat and a place in Havasu.

The same guy that told me 200h also said I should be able to get to at least 400 if I’m not a full throttle all day driver so I have no idea. I guess I should call Larry Peto and ask since they built it. I’ll do a leakdown test on my next maintenance and see where I am at compared to last season. I need to put an hour meter on it and figure out what my annual average is. For some reason the guy I bought it from pulled the hour meter out to install a boost gauge rather than get rid of one of the fuel tank guages. Now that I figure I must be close to 200 hours I’m regretting not installing one immediately.

Then again it runs half as long as my last boat since my cruising speed is more than my old top speed.

 

[Mikes56]

I’ve got a 525 in my 28’ Topcat 1 and had 12 people on board. It took a little bit to plane out, but we went from the Nautical to Topock with no problem. I usually cruise at 3500 rpm. It’s got 152 hours and runs strong with no problems yet.

Easy oil changes, kinda easy impeller changes.

I forgot the mention, it’s a 70 mph boat with 2 people and half full tanks. It’s scary at that speed on a deck boat.

 

[Mandelon]

The only person who likes going over 50 on a deck boat is the driver. Not a lot of wind protection... LOL

 

[Yoshiro]

If you do like to do your own maintenance and repairs, the single is so much easier to work on!

 

[FreeBird236]

Coming from a Stoker you might be happier with something like the 2003 Mach 26 DCB open bow with twin 300's that's in the classifieds. Not much difference getting in a open bow vs a deck with a small plastic ladder.

 

[billy610]

Old outboard guy looking to move up to 28 to ? deck boat. Love my 22 stoker but wife and I are 70. Reel ugly getting into boat off of beach. Kepting the stoker.

Looking at deck boats,not pontoon, still need to go fast. Single 525 I think is 70 to 75. Looking at twin 525's,double the maintenance. Is a Blower motor high maintenance and less longinity ?

Would love to find deck boat with twin outboards around 150k.

Have a buddy selling a E-Ticket with 525's in great condition just a little over the $150k mark. It's badass, If I could afford it I'd buy it.

 

[wfowahoo]

Coming from a Stoker you might be happier with something like the 2003 Mach 26 DCB open bow with twin 300's that's in the classifieds. Not much difference getting in a open bow vs a deck with a small plastic ladder.

I like it

 

[wfowahoo]

Have a buddy selling a E-Ticket with 525's in great condition just a little over the $150k mark. It's badass, If I could afford it I'd buy it.

Could be interested. Is it listed anywhere ?

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I like it

The guy that owns that now is WELL (I hope he reads this) into his 60s, and is no small or spry man! He gets in and out both on the rear ladder and over the front on the beach with ease. I know that boat well, its fkn nice!

 

[billy610]

Could be interested. Is it listed anywhere ?

I just called him Sold last week.

 

[MR HARLEY]

 

[69hondo]

General consensus here is blue motors are gods gift to the boating industry and any other configuration is crap.

I wouldnt pass on any boat I really liked/wanted because of engine unless it was a blue oval.

Own any boat long enough and you will be doing an engine.

 

[dnewps]

There is a good reason a Teague 825 blower engine is so popular...it lasts a long time and is built much better than the blue mercs

 

[Jay Dub]

Old outboard guy looking to move up to 28 to ? deck boat. Love my 22 stoker but wife and I are 70. Reel ugly getting into boat off of beach. Kepting the stoker.

Looking at deck boats,not pontoon, still need to go fast. Single 525 I think is 70 to 75. Looking at twin 525's,double the maintenance. Is a Blower motor high maintenance and less longinity ?

Would love to find deck boat with twin outboards around 150k.

A used 28 Conquest would fit the bill.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Old outboard guy looking to move up to 28 to ? deck boat. Love my 22 stoker but wife and I are 70. Reel ugly getting into boat off of beach. Kepting the stoker.

Looking at deck boats,not pontoon, still need to go fast. Single 525 I think is 70 to 75. Looking at twin 525's,double the maintenance. Is a Blower motor high maintenance and less longinity ?

Would love to find deck boat with twin outboards around 150k.

Depends on the blower motor......

Stock 600SCI / Stock Teague blower motor - Pretty damn reliable

Random Super Chiller 8-71 equipped chromed out craigslist "custom power" special.......yore results may vary!


Alot of the deckboats don't run hard even with big power, If your gonna stay single motor - I'd look at 28' Conquest, 26'+ Nordics (newer models), Carrerra 257, Eliminator (older style or newer style are both good), Howard (my personal choice if I had the budget!). 2FF had a 26' Cheetah Wildcat that went well into the 70's with a single 525....till it got throttle stopped . 28' Magics are a great deck boat but not real fast, most guys dont run them much past the 60's.

Twin engine, much bigger boat but alot easier to get a deck boat going fast and WAY easier on outdrives. Plaster Dave still has a bad ass E-ticket for sale I think, with twin 525's.....that will get you rippin! More general maintenance with twins but if your fuel and boat budget allows it, your gonna easily haul ass and not kill your outdrive getting on plane with a boatload of people and a single blower motor - that's the problem with big power single I/O deckboats, unless you go the SCX route and even then its hard on them.

My personal choices - I'd wanna stay single, and just enough power to get the job done.
Would love a 28' Howard or 28' Conquest Top Cat II (dual helm) with a 525 or a 600 Merc. 26' Nordic is real appealing also, nice deep tunnel and they move real good.
If I wasn't trying to chase a speed number at all, I'd toss a 28' Magic in there.

 

[Jay Dub]

Depends on the blower motor......

Stock 600SCI / Stock Teague blower motor - Pretty damn reliable

Random Super Chiller 8-71 equipped chromed out craigslist "custom power" special.......yore results may vary!


Alot of the deckboats don't run hard even with big power, If your gonna stay single motor - I'd look at 28' Conquest, 26'+ Nordics (newer models), Carrerra 257, Eliminator (older style or newer style are both good), Howard (my personal choice if I had the budget!). 2FF had a 26' Cheetah Wildcat that went well into the 70's with a single 525....till it got throttle stopped . 28' Magics are a great deck boat but not real fast, most guys dont run them much past the 60's.

Twin engine, much bigger boat but alot easier to get a deck boat going fast and WAY easier on outdrives. Plaster Dave still has a bad ass E-ticket for sale I think, with twin 525's.....that will get you rippin! More general maintenance with twins but if your fuel and boat budget allows it, your gonna easily haul ass and not kill your outdrive getting on plane with a boatload of people and a single blower motor - that's the problem with big power single I/O deckboats, unless you go the SCX route and even then its hard on them.

My personal choices - I'd wanna stay single, and just enough power to get the job done.
Would love a 28' Howard or 28' Conquest Top Cat II (dual helm) with a 525 or a 600 Merc. 26' Nordic is real appealing also, nice deep tunnel and they move real good.
If I wasn't trying to chase a speed number at all, I'd toss a 28' Magic in there.

Topcat II is one of my all-time favorites. Considered getting one but decided the Hallett 255 fit us better

 

[wfowahoo]

There is a good reason a Teague 825 blower engine is so popular...it lasts a long time and is built much better than the blue mercs

Now you are opening up possibilities.

Saw a 28 party cat with blower and two hollies on top. Can't be as efficient as a blower motor that is injected ? I remember replacing power valves on hollies back in the day.
On some of these blower motors I do not see the air intake or air filter ?

 

[wfowahoo]

Depends on the blower motor......

Stock 600SCI / Stock Teague blower motor - Pretty damn reliable

Random Super Chiller 8-71 equipped chromed out craigslist "custom power" special.......yore results may vary!


Alot of the deckboats don't run hard even with big power, If your gonna stay single motor - I'd look at 28' Conquest, 26'+ Nordics (newer models), Carrerra 257, Eliminator (older style or newer style are both good), Howard (my personal choice if I had the budget!). 2FF had a 26' Cheetah Wildcat that went well into the 70's with a single 525....till it got throttle stopped . 28' Magics are a great deck boat but not real fast, most guys dont run them much past the 60's.

Twin engine, much bigger boat but alot easier to get a deck boat going fast and WAY easier on outdrives. Plaster Dave still has a bad ass E-ticket for sale I think, with twin 525's.....that will get you rippin! More general maintenance with twins but if your fuel and boat budget allows it, your gonna easily haul ass and not kill your outdrive getting on plane with a boatload of people and a single blower motor - that's the problem with big power single I/O deckboats, unless you go the SCX route and even then its hard on them.

My personal choices - I'd wanna stay single, and just enough power to get the job done.
Would love a 28' Howard or 28' Conquest Top Cat II (dual helm) with a 525 or a 600 Merc. 26' Nordic is real appealing also, nice deep tunnel and they move real good.
If I wasn't trying to chase a speed number at all, I'd toss a 28' Magic in there.

Been looking at that e-ticket. That black interior and carpet just doesn't work @ 115 F

 

[Bigbore500r]

Been looking at that e-ticket. That black interior and carpet just doesn't work @ 115 F

I believe the black inlays on the seats are Alcantara, the the floor is sea-deck.
I don't think it would be any worse than the grey's most boats have. If the seats are Alcantara they wont be hot at all.

 

[dnewps]

Now you are opening up possibilities.

Saw a 28 party cat with blower and two hollies on top. Can't be as efficient as a blower motor that is injected ? I remember replacing power valves on hollies back in the day.
On some of these blower motors I do not see the air intake or air filter ?

Carbs on a blower can be just as efficient and powerful in a boat...but it’s not about the carbs.

That Teague 825 is great because the efficiency of everything else! Whipple twin screw, big cupronickel intercooler, and cnc heads and the correct cam ALLOWS that pump gas power level out of a 509ci engine. 4” stroke and 4.53” bore is ideal for strength and longevity. And the shortblock is built like a brick shit house.

 

[McKay]

I believe the black inlays on the seats are Alcantara, the the floor is sea-deck.
I don't think it would be any worse than the grey's most boats have. If the seats are Alcantara they wont be hot at all.

Black Sea-Deck is hot as hell. Had it down my stairs on the last boat. If over 95-100 we would leave the waterfall running down them whenever parked.

 

[satellitemike]

Not a single mention of what the 22 stoker is selling for?
You guys are slipping!!!

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Not a single mention of what the 22 stoker is selling for?
You guys are slipping!!!

OP says hes kepting the stoker.

 

[Gelcoater]

Depends on the blower motor......

Stock 600SCI / Stock Teague blower motor - Pretty damn reliable

Random Super Chiller 8-71 equipped chromed out craigslist "custom power" special.......yore results may vary!


Alot of the deckboats don't run hard even with big power, If your gonna stay single motor - I'd look at 28' Conquest, 26'+ Nordics (newer models), Carrerra 257, Eliminator (older style or newer style are both good), Howard (my personal choice if I had the budget!). 2FF had a 26' Cheetah Wildcat that went well into the 70's with a single 525....till it got throttle stopped . 28' Magics are a great deck boat but not real fast, most guys dont run them much past the 60's.

Twin engine, much bigger boat but alot easier to get a deck boat going fast and WAY easier on outdrives. Plaster Dave still has a bad ass E-ticket for sale I think, with twin 525's.....that will get you rippin! More general maintenance with twins but if your fuel and boat budget allows it, your gonna easily haul ass and not kill your outdrive getting on plane with a boatload of people and a single blower motor - that's the problem with big power single I/O deckboats, unless you go the SCX route and even then its hard on them.

My personal choices - I'd wanna stay single, and just enough power to get the job done.
Would love a 28' Howard or 28' Conquest Top Cat II (dual helm) with a 525 or a 600 Merc. 26' Nordic is real appealing also, nice deep tunnel and they move real good.
If I wasn't trying to chase a speed number at all, I'd toss a 28' Magic in there.

I’d throw the Hallett 285 into that single engine lineup as well.
The OP should go review the performance evaluations RD did some years back.
The Hallett had ( I believe?) a Merc 565, maybe a 540?
All the other guys had much more power, and all ran big too end numbers.
The Hallett our accelerated all of them.
Because all those other guys were propped for the big number.
The Hallett was propped how people would use it in the real world. Like pulling people around on boards, tubes, ski, etc.
It went just into the 70s, bit got there quick.
Now, coming out of a Stoker the OP is going to be yawn inspired by any of them, blower or no

 

[27Daytona]

The only person who likes going over 50 on a deck boat is the driver. Not a lot of wind protection... LOL

^^^^ THIS ^^^^

100 mph Patios are not fun for anyone! (Think Hurricane) Get a Single Engine Deck Boat for family fun days, and keep the Stoker for Go Fast Solo Rips!

 

[rivermobster]

Would like to go to a bigger hull. I like the 22 stoker but it takes a pounding if your under 60 mph. Hit some rough water 4th of july and had to speed it up. Bounced grand kid out of her seat into arms of mother. Would love to hang a 450R or 500R on a 26+ deck boat. That would probably have to be new and out of my range.

My buddy has the same boat. And yeah, it's worse than a flat!!!

Went for a ride in an Eliminator Eagle recently, and I couldn't believe how it was in the chop.

Stormy/rainy day, and we had to get it on the trailer before it got even worse. I went along to help out, and couldn't believe how solid it was!

I have a tri-toon myself, and the Eagle handled the chop the same.

You might want to look into one if ride quality is your main concern.

 

[dnewps]

This is a tough thread. A 300k toon with twin 300r’s is really comfortable and pretty sporty...but I can’t do it. Modern deckboat with 300’s is better but even more money...not worth it to me for a lake boat. Car motor, glass deck is for me. Single engine 825 teague or more reliable ilmor 700+. They are cheap and awesome comparatively speaking