Looking to Upgrade Boat

[sweetyellow]

Good evening everyone. I took the wife over by Shockwave Boats yesterday and she loved the 25 foot. We currently have a 22foot stingray and are looking to upgrade to the 25 openbow, esp since we have to young boys. I need some suggestions. I know I want the 496ho, but have read on the forums about an internal upgrade for the 496 to crank out some more HP. I forgot the name of the upgrade to the engine(internal parts and so on). My first one is should I just get the 496 and do the engine upgrade, or just purchase the 496ho. I'm also wondering if I should buy in October, or should I wait unitl Jan 06? Also do they do custom graphics, I want something that is unique and not like all the other basic shockwave graphics.
Thanks everyone for the Ideas!
Bill

[Debbolas]

You should get a lot of feedback from this..............try to bump it again tomorrow ;)

[Partycattin]

Good evening everyone. I took the wife over by Shockwave Boats yesterday and she loved the 25 foot. We currently have a 22foot stingray and are looking to upgrade to the 25 openbow, esp since we have to young boys. I need some suggestions. I know I want the 496ho, but have read on the forums about an internal upgrade for the 496 to crank out some more HP. I forgot the name of the upgrade to the engine(internal parts and so on). My first one is should I just get the 496 and do the engine upgrade, or just purchase the 496ho. I'm also wondering if I should buy in October, or should I wait unitl Jan 06? Also do they do custom graphics, I want something that is unique and not like all the other basic shockwave graphics.
Thanks everyone for the Ideas!
Bill
Let's see what I can add:
The 496HO will cost you more than the 496. From what I've heard, your better off buying the 496 and adding the Raylar kit (about 8-9K installed). The raylar kit changes out the cam, heads, intake. I hear that main difference between the 496 and 496 HO is the cam and computer. I believe the computer is about $500 and the cam comes in the Raylar kit.
Difference 496 with Raylar = about 525 hp.
496HO with no Raylar = about 425 hp
I would think that your boat would get a little more attention if it is ordered in October. I think most of the builders start gearing up in January for the boat show orders. The guys at Advantage told me they usually slow down a bit in winter which seems like they won't have to crank the boat out as fast.
Shockwave should be able to lay down just about any graphics you can come up with.

[Jordy]

There are a couple nice used 25's floating around if you're not dead set on new. Check the Hot Boat's section, about 4 doors down. ;)
Like this one for example:
http://www2.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85070

[HCS]

There are a couple nice used 25's floating around if you're not dead set on new. Check the Hot Boat's section, about 4 doors down. ;)
Like this one for example:
http://www2.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85070
The boat's not swallow yellow.

[Jordy]

The boat's not swallow yellow.
That's it. I'm buying a Kachina with a bird on the side and fire coming from it's wings. I'll show you. :D :D :D

[voodoomedman]

If your going to put the Raylar kit on the 496 then just get the Mag but upgrade the drive as a standard bravo 1 won't be able to handle the horsepower. Shockwave should be able to lay down some decent graphics. I have seen some pretty nice ones. Probably not anything too wild but hopefully you can get something original for a month or two until it is copied. Also Look at the pricing on the Merc 525 compared to doing the upgrades to the 496. If the pricing is close then I would personally go with something that already is done then having to rip apart and rebuild. If the pricing is a big gap or you just want to add the extra cost and horsepower later then go with the 496 and Raylar it later. Do get what you will be happy with the first time but also keep in mind you probably won't be going that fast with the wife and kids on the boat.

[Phat Matt]

I think DILLIGAF's is for sale for the right price. He said he wanted to buy an Eticket. :)
BTW, they are nice boats.

[rivercrazy]

Personally, I'm not sold on the Raylar Kit yet. I've heard of quite a few problems with them lately.
I'd say stick with the HO or step up to the 525. I have an HO in my 25 Tremor and am very satisfied with the performance. And its been bulletproof reliable through 185 hours. One of the benefits of going with the HO is you get the Bravo 1X versus the standard Bravo 1. The X is a stouter drive. If you really thinking of going with bigger power down the road, you might consider the XR now.....
As for graphics, they can lay down graphics with the best of em out there. Mancini has been shooting gel as long or longer than most other guys out there. And I personally think his fades are the best out there.

[RiverToysJas]

The 25' Shockwave is solid boat, there's no doubt about that. I would also check out LaveyCraft's 24' or 26'. You can't go wrong either way, those three boats are all just different enough that you would have pick what's best for you. Either company will do whatever you can dream or in gel designs.
At for motivation...if you want more than the turn-key, 70mph that a 496HO can give you from the factory, you should definately check into the 525Merc. Then you get a stronger drive right out of the box, and still have full Merc reliability and warrentee. Don't forget to upgrade your steering also, you're probably going to be low 80's under the right conditions. You're going to want at least a single ram hydrolic steering unit to be safe.
RTJas :D

[Jordy]

I would also check out LaveyCraft's 24' or 26'.
Hey Deb, I don't remember him asking about any boat other than the Shockwave 25' Tremor. :D :D :D

[RiverToysJas]

Hey Deb, I don't remember him asking about any boat other than the Shockwave 25' Tremor. :D :D :D
Just fullfilling my contractual duty as a happy customer! So Matt knows that Happy Customers brag too. ;)
BTW....isn't an I/O the only propulsion unit you've never owned??? :D
RTJas :D

[Jordy]

BTW....isn't an I/O the only propulsion unit you've never owned??? :D
RTJas :D
I have a feeling that will be next, when I get 6' or 8' itis. Oh, I've never had a trolling mota' either. Trying to figure out where to mount one on the Spectre right now.

[RiverToysJas]

I have a feeling that will be next, when I get 6' or 8' itis. Oh, I've never had a trolling mota' either. Trying to figure out where to mount one on the Spectre right now.
I guess you could still go straight inboard too, Comp Ski style. :cool:
RTJas :D

[Jordy]

I guess you could still go straight inboard too, Comp Ski style. :cool:
RTJas :D
All the roll bar boats I see out here are loaded up with chicks. Guess that's something to look into. Then I can drive around and swamp angry little jet boaters. ;)

[RiverToysJas]

All the roll bar boats I see out here are loaded up with chicks. Guess that's something to look into. Then I can drive around and swamp angry little jet boaters. ;)
And the nice thing about chicks that ride around in roll bar boats is that you know they have low standards already! ;) :D :D
RTJas :D

[Dribble]

I have a friend here at work that is interested in buying a boat like your Stingray. PM me with the detalis if you are selling.

[Phat Matt]

Just fullfilling my contractual duty as a happy customer! So Matt knows that Happy Customers brag too. ;)
BTW....isn't an I/O the only propulsion unit you've never owned??? :D
RTJas :D
No they don't! ;)

[superdave013]

And the nice thing about chicks that ride around in roll bar boats is that you know they have low standards already! ;) :D :D
RTJas :D
that's good right there!

[OGShocker]

As the un-official Dana Boats pimp, I would suggest you call them about their 27'. :D
No matter what you decide on, DRIVE IT before you BUY IT!

[Jordy]

And the nice thing about chicks that ride around in roll bar boats is that you know they have low standards already! ;) :D :D
RTJas :D
Perfect. It seems that I'm not diving low enough right now to load up a boat with X-rated on the side. I've been asked several times if I own a strip club or porn production company. Of course I do, as far as you know. ;)
The only problem with the roll bar boats is the crappy house music they listen to and the tweeter beater stereos. We let a few tie up with us last weekend. The scenery was great, the music and general atmosphere sucked. :D

[MR HARLEY]

Oh, I've never had a trolling mota' either. Trying to figure out where to mount one on the Spectre right now.
:D ............lol

[Havasu_Dreamin]

Hey Deb, I don't remember him asking about any boat other than the Shockwave 25' Tremor. :D :D :D
ROFLMAO!

[Phat Matt]

Perfect. It seems that I'm not diving low enough right now to load up a boat with X-rated on the side. I've been asked several times if I own a strip club or porn production company. Of course I do, as far as you know. ;)
The only problem with the roll bar boats is the crappy house music they listen to and the tweeter beater stereos. We let a few tie up with us last weekend. The scenery was great, the music and general atmosphere sucked. :D
House music? I thought I was the only one that played that. All I ever hear is 50 cent and Nelly or some shit. :D

[Jordy]

House music? I thought I was the only one that played that.
I've heard some of your stuff and it's not bad. The stuff these guys had was the same shit over and over, played at 11 through a pair of dual range 6.5's hung from the roll bar. Tweeter beater to the max. It would have probably sounded 5,000 times better if there was a better stereo playing it. ;)