23' Performance 5.0 vs 5.7 Mercruiser

[Billpotter]

My family had a 23 CC stern drive in the 70's that was delivered new with a 225 OMC (307 cid 5 liter) in 1975 that we ran for 600 hours till 1979, when the boat was then re powered with a new 260 OMC (350 cid 5.7 liter) that was then run for 200 hours. The boat went from a nice running boat with the 5 liter engine to a great running boat with the 5.7. This was before Loran C or GPS- no solid numbers: I'd go with the 5.7 unless the money thing is an issue- the 5.7 package, all other things being equal, delivered more of everything; something I have confirmed without exception in my marine surveying practice.