Buyers seem to shy away from the 8.1 because they're worried about fuel consumption but are buying the 450hp 6.2 and 550 hp supercharged 6.2 in the newer big boats. It takes a certain amount of fuel to create the power to push a 7500 lb load at 11 mph through the water so I don't understand how there can be a fuel consumption issue with high power motors over the 350. I bet the 350's do a great job in 22' and below but from what I've seen 23' and up need that extra 100 hp to move all that fibergalss.