posted 03-18-2005 09:44 AM ET (US)            

The hull has a less sharp bow entry and less deadrise than a Grady White 272, 282 or equivalent, for example, which tends to make this boat have a rougher ride into a head sea. However, the boat has a drier ride than a Grady and tracks far far better in a heavy following sea. I have been in some pretty steep seas (4 to 6 ft, and occasionally more than that) with the 27 and have not yet taken water over the bow. At rest, the boat is so amazingly stable that it makes a Grady White 272 look very tender when tied up along side.

With the WhalerDrive option, 450 HP (6 total liters of equivalent displacement or higher) in a direct injected 2-stroke or a 4-stroke is really the way to go. If repowering today, I would look at the E-TEC 225 or 250s (combining best of 2 and 4 stroke attributes, but 1st year out), the Suzuki DF 225 or 250s (strong performers, weak service network, 2nd year out), Johnson DF225 (same as Suzuki, better service network?), Yamaha F250 (first year out, good service, good reputation, good resale a few years from now?), Evinrude 225 or 250 DI (best kept secret on the market, currently has best conventional DI 2-stroke reputation, downside is resale value to uneducated who think of old OMC built Ficht 150/175 problems), Yamaha 250 HPDI (likes oil, does Yamaha really have the bugs worked out, resale value?), Verado 225 or 250s (heaviest and most expensive to own and operate choice and not clear where the required power steering pump would go, the bilge is probably not a good place, intercooled supercharger in saltwater a liability in later years?), and Optimax 225 (strong performer but loud) in that order.