I'm trying to get some accurate information on a boat that I am very seriously contemplating buying but would like to know what kind of performance i can expect. There is a lot of what seams to be conflicting information on the web about the pros/cons of the SBC's over the BBC in these boats. Ass heavy with the big blocks but slower with the small blocks. Most of what I have read states that the SBC version of the 272 is completely maxed out at 60 and the BBC's may hit 65 max but 62-63 is more likely. I'm assuming most of the figures are assuming the boat has the standard Merc 260's and not the 320EFI's.

Do you think 60-65 is realistic with the 320's assuming the motors are strong or would I be lucky to reach 60? The boat is in fantastic shape and has been very well taken care of. I know parts are hard to come by for the 320's but worst case I could always just slap on some new intakes and carbs and call it a day if it gives to much trouble in the future.

I very much appreciate any information you can share on this configuration. The more I read the more intrigued I become. It would be nice to have something a bit different from everyone else out on the lake.

My current boat is a 24' Checkmate Enforcer with a SBC/Alpha and looking to upgrade. Most of my boating is on Lake St. Clair and it can get pretty snotty out there on the weekend and my boat just wasn't designed for those conditions.

There is a guy on here with a 272 with 320s so he may chime in. I owned one though, and know of others that have. With my 330hp 454 they ran 64 to 65 with almost any load, full fuel 4 big guys and gear maybe 63. With regular 260/270hp 350s 59.99 is the best I've ever heard. The 320s efis are on par with the 330s but I think you will feel the torque loss over the big blocks.

Riding along, I share the OP's question.

PM now clear...send again

I have a 1988 272 sr1 with 320 efi and BRAVO drives. 1.5 ratio and 23 mirage2 props.
We had it out a few times and I am very happy with it, Last weekend we had 7 people and 3/4 fuel 82 degrees and humid. Did 64 mph.gps

three or more weeks ago 5 people full tank. 65 degrees and dry, 67mph. (One drive wouldnt trim up enough since fixed that)
This boat gets on plane imediately, not stern heavy. gets good fuel economy and is fast. I think we can get 70 out of it. oh and it sounds awesome. !!!

Well that is very encouraging to hear. I realize yours has the bravos and the one I'm looking at has the Alpha SS out drives so its not a complete apples to apples comparison but I would think it should be pretty similar.

Do you have a rough idea of about how many GPH at cruise your burning through? Just looking for ballpark figures

I have a performance sheet on the boat I got from formula is has
GPH specs for the small-blocks----18 gph at 3000 rpm 36 mph with 270 mags which are carbed so mine should be better GPH being EFI.
Your boat would be probably faster than bravo's with the alpha SS drives I would think.
Also the same boat with 7.4 - 330 hp motors weigh 600lbs more at the stern. on the 320, the MPI intake manifold is all aluminum and no carb and the full factory EMI exhaust is aluminum along with the lighter weights of the small block engines calculates to about 600lbs less. even less with alpha drives! So its logical that it plains out fast, without any tabs being used.
I love my boat
what color combo is it? mine is the palm beach

+1 My 272 with 350 mags ran 59.99999999 with 23 Mirages at 4900 never could break 60.

I'm getting more and more excited about this configuration the more I am hearing about it!

As for the color scheme I'm not sure what the official name is. I have not been able to find it on any other boat. Here is a picture of the boat:

my network wont let me open it. what colors?