The 194 head is NOT a waste of time. If the valve is unshouded the right way.When installing bigger valves in anyone of the heads, the valve should be unshouded. Stock valve for stock valve yes the bigger chamber head will flow better and needs less
work to unshoud a larger valve. BUT a 194 head can flow over 250
CFM with a larger valve. Porting a head is the same No matter
which that it is.
If you plain on useing the marine head have it TESTed I have found that most are pretty thin due to the salt water eatting away at the casting. my2cents would be use the head with the brunt valves But still have it tested.