New 27 Seacraft Tournament owner

[Ed]

I finally broke down and bought a 27 Seacraft Tournament a couple of months back.

I must say that after looking at other 27's in the past year, I was psyched to buy this one. It was pretty local, totally unmolested, and was still owned by the original owner (now 79) who bought the boat new in 1987 after seeing it at the 1986 New England Boat Show. Since my wife was 8.5 months pregnant at the time I bought it, I did not really have time to do anything with it until this week.

Today, I decided to focus my attention on the motors. Previous owner repowered with brand new twin 1999 Mercury 250 EFI's (30 inch shafts) and had them installed on a Stainless Marine bracket. I think by the time the work was done (new fuel lines, tanks, rigging tubes, thru hull fittings, bracket and outboards etc) and the boat was splashed it was approximately 2001/2002ish. The owner stated that the engines did not have many hours and without an hour meter I assumed about 500 hours based on average use and their good visual condition. However, the Mercury ECU download today was a bit surprising!! Port engine had only 120 hours and the starboard had only 130 hours. Concerned that this lack of use could be a potential problem...I followed up with an engine compression test. All cylinders on both motors were between 105 and 115psi - which is right within factory specs.

In the spring, I plan on replacing the thermostats, plugs, poppet valves, vst filters, water pumps and fuel and water separators. I am also sending out injectors to get bench tested and cleaned. If time allows, I will pull the cowlings and fairings and repaint them and install new Mercury decals. A used Loadmaster tandem axle trailer should be here next week.

In the near future, I plan on replacing the electronics and installing a new hardtop. At some point, I would really love to pull the center console and install a taller one. The factory console is too short for my height.

Anyway, that's the latest for now. Will send updates with pictures as I continue to make progress.