[Briguy]

The 5.7 260hp motor will probably add substatially to the overall resale value of the boat vs. the 4.3. That 4.3, while a good motor, cannot match the torque of the 5.0 or 5.7 v8. Load that boat up with 80 gal's of fuel,fishing tackle and 4 guys, that thing will be a dog out of the hole. You are talking about 4500 lbs loaded. As for economy, a 5.0 or 5.7 will loaf along at 24kts while the 4.3 will probably buzz at 3800 rpm to maintain that, pushing an obviously smaller prop. If you don't trust your son to drive the boat responsibly, then don't let him use it. Go for the 5.7.