let me start by saying that i currently own a very nice 87 272sr1 with 350 mags that has 1400 hours on orig engines i have owned it for about a year. before that i has a Baja 240 sport. i always wanted a 272 with small blocks

i ran across a 1990 272sr1 with factory remaned 496mags with 385 horse the boat is flawless. all the stripes were repainted with imron, in a very tasteful orange blue and yellow with the interior matching brand new gauges have been updated to faria gauges \

then engines have been in the boat for less than 50 hours and the owner is still trying to find a prop that the boat likes

i drove it.... the front feels very light comparing to my already light feeling small block boat. it only has about 12 inch trim tabs compared to my k planes the excerlation is very strong and smooth as glass. however the boat in only reaching 4200 rpm with a top speed of 67 gps.

he is currently running 26 four blades. he just bought the props. before he was running 25 3 blades and the boat would run 73 gps but would touch the rev limiter at 4900

i am confident that i can make the boat run upper 70s with the right props ( 24 4 blades, or 27 3 blades ) the things i need to overcome to buy the boat are

1.) loosing k planes
2.) big blocks.... even though they are the big blocks that i would buy if i ever put them in a boat. i didnt want big blocks in this boat because of poor access to the front of the motors. and the weight it adds to the boat making it ass heavy.
3.) they are 385 hp 496..... not the 415 hp models

let me add that i can buy the boat for about 10k more than i can sell mine for. i planned to go through the engines on my boat in the next year or so at a cost of around 5k. this makes the new boat that much more likable

HELP what should i do, any info on 385 496s

thank you

Ever consider a PowerQuest. They are very similar to Formula (I own both brands). I have a very nice PQ 260 Legend for sale $24,900 in Michigan.

If you can buy it for 10k do it, just to resale thats a good deal. hell swap the motors LOL

I believe he means 10K more than what he can sell his boat for.

formulajohn272, I went from the small tabs to K-Planes on my 292 and would hate going back. As you pointed out, the added weight and servicing issues of the big blocks is a drawback as well. This may be easier to swallow if they were 496 HO's. I guess you could upgrade, but that would be a bit of work installing new cams, etc.

Tough call. Maybe think about what you could do putting 10K (or a little more) towards your 87 272 to update it and make it more 'new' to you...(?). At least you have had it a year a know the boat.

keep yours and put some 383's in it..you will be mother phucking yourself when trying to work around those big blocks in that tiny bilge..

+1

+2 I can't imagine trying to work on my 272 with big blocks in it! I already know next winters project, going to make the back of the seat removable for acces to engine fronts. Not positive how yet, but I have a few ideas floating around.

Also assume you ARE going to have other expenses with the new boat. It is for sale for a reason.

Brian

YUUUPPP keep what you have

+3 I had a 272 with big blocks, no access and the boat is too tail heavy.

+4 Put Merc 6.2's or 383's in your boat, you'll be way better off.