Thanks guys I don't know what I'm gonna do yet though

im just wondering,what is this boat worth without power?

Good question, hell for 20,000 a guy could grab it up, beat the snot out of it then sell the drive, hull and motor parts to recover most the initial cost if it does come apart or stuff some stock power in it, beat to death but running its got to be worth 15,000$ to someone, Smitty

My concern would be, 540CI? with 250 blowers??

Freshwater boat? IDK, take a look at the rusted fittings, corroded brass fittings, rust on the exhaust riser flanges, black goop oozing out of the intake to blower area, filthy flame arrestor screens, water/exhaust running down the inner transom area marks, intake manifold coated with a greasy film of oil, etc. Doesnt look like this owner cared alot about that engine. If he didn't get off his a$$ to clean the bilge up for sale, he probably didnt get off his a$$ to do much of anything else to it.

While 20k might be a fair deal for it, if i were buying it, i'd plan on pulling the engine as soon as i got it home. If its a 540CI, in a 27 Fountain, theres no reason to even bother with a 250 blower. I'd sell the blower kit for 2500 bucks, and use that money towards having someone go thru the engine. Run it N/A and have fun.

i know its not a fountain but my first pantera was a big cubic inch boat single engine.... my second pantera is a twin 502mag efi. stock reliable power and faster!! and i couldnt be happier. big motors are cool but stock power is reliable. go find a 29 twin all stock and enjoy. plus when you blow a drive in the middle of a poker run you can still get back on your own with twins

I'm not sure what year Fountains starting coming equipped with a computer control, maybe EFI on (?) but the dealer showed me the computer printout on the number of hours my boat was run and at what r.p.m.s. Over half of the 150 hours on the boat were at idle. Only 10 minutes were run at full bore. While this isn't a total guarantee it gave me a better idea of how the boat was used. Mercury Black motors should go 850 hrs w/proper care. I'd look for a 27 with a stock 496 that you can have a dealer pull a readout off the computer. NOTHING messes up a good husband/wife relationship like money problems...