Repower Boston Whaler 27 FC

[MD3]

I have two questions and wanted to get everyone's thoughts on the subject. First, a little background. I have a 1986 Whaler FC with 350 carb Marine Power inboards. They are FW cooled and came with the boat when I bought it.I've had overheating probs with each engine since the day I bought it. Other problem has been speed or lack thereof. Boat is spec'd by BW to run 18 knts cruise with 230 hp engines and with current engines runs roughly 22Knts @3500. I've done quite a bit of research and I'm about to repower with Crusader MPI that put out 330 hp @5000. Yard that will do the work estimates that after props properly configured and all things being equal I should cruise roughly 23-24 knts. Does anyone have any real world experience doing this ? In other words has anyone gotten better performance after repowering with more powerful engines ? You would think so but perhaps not. Second issue is one of boat value. If I go through with it I'm going to keep the boat awhile but my concern is getting the insurable value up to cover the cost of repower. I boat in the panhandle and it seems we have a hurricane a year and I need to make sure I can get the agreed hull value up. If not I'll sell the boat and get something with more speed. Again, any real life experiences on these issues would be most appreciated.

[Mumblerone]

No personal experience with your boat, although I've been on several...years ago. What is top speed/RPM? It would seem to me that to repower for a knot or two would not make sense. I'd be inclined to rebuild, if necessary. Other than overheating; do the motors run good? You'll never get you money out of it on a repower, IMO. Twin 230 HP. should get that boat to the mid-upper 30s.Certainly an extra 200 HP would make a difference. I would also post your question on Continuous Wave

[MONSTAWHALA]

I agree with Mumbler.....
You will not get your money back on a resale. That hull is worth roughly 18-20 depending on condition. Add the repower to it at maybe 20k and you have a 40k boat. Again , alot of it has to do with the boats condition as well as,what you have on it for accessories/options .

As far as whether it is worth it to YOU, may be a different question. It would seem to me you will be spending ALOT of money and a fair amount of aggravation to gain maybe, 5 knots.That seems like alot of money to spend in comparison to what you will get back out of it. The new engines should however yield much better fuel #s, and probably less on maintainance because of newer technology and less tired motors.This hull was not originally designed for inboards which is probably why it is MUCH slower than its outboard brothers
.
It really boils down to this....If you REALLY like this boat and would enjoy owning it for many more years , then go for the repower. If you are just so-so on the boat , then clean it up fix the existing engines , and move on to a boat that will fit your needs/desires better

[MD3]

Thanks Mumblerone.I'll post on continuous wave as well.