ZR409 VS Excalibur 5.7

[gride300]

i disagree. you DO need to winterize closed loop or not if thats what your climate requires., especially if not gonna be used

[j2nh]

Closed loop on the ZR does not need to be drained. This also includes the heater.
Open (lake/river) portion DOES need to be drained. Without running out to the garage to check this includes the strainer, impeller, and exhaust manifolds. Nice thing on the ZR is the drain system that grabs fresh water from the low spots and runs them to a common hose next to the hull drain. Undo the nut on the end of the hose and it drains all the fresh water out (still have to do the strainer).

[robertsmcfarland]

winterize

six years of single digit winters for days at a time with no problems just take it for a winter run and put back on the lift. also never have un hook the batteries and never had to replace either, starts first time everytime. It must be a nautique thing. Go for the ZR409 it's great for the piece of mind and no worry.

[GoBig]

Thanks for all your posts I'm getting closer to my completed order
and it comes down to this.
1- titon tower and full throttle package or
2-FCT1 tower and 6.0L engine
The cost of the boat with ether options is about the same.
I am leaning toward #2 I just keep thinking what would I change
on my current boat if I could .
The answer is bigger engine even though I don't need
the extra HP most of the time I know I can always
throttle down but once at full throttle that's it.
I have until Jan 17th [Chicago Boat Show] to decide.

Given the choice, I'd go with option #2 as well. I'm a huge fan of the FCT1...throw in a larger motor with closed cooling, yeah, that would be my pick. The closed cooling would sell it for me...