[timestwo]

New to forum. Thank you in advance for replies.....

Looking at a 1990 2700 Open. 350 mercruisers. Will need to get a survey to proceed, but wondering
on anything I should look for on this boat/year. Seen a couple posts that favor crusaders.

Any input on mercruisers appreciated.

John

[Silver Rush]

I have a 1987 with the Crusaders 1850 hrs and still strong and no oil use.

[Chris Burkard]

The crusader is a better engine due to the better fresh water cooling system that is standard on the Crusader. Other than the Cooling system however the engines are the same small block GMs.

There are only a couple of issues with 27s that I can recall.

1) The cabin floor is only 3 or 4 inches above the hull bottom. When the vessel is at rest, the bow of the 27 is actually lower in the water than the engine room bilge. The stringers are hollow and bilge water can actually flow forward and aft through the stringers. If water is allowed to accumulate in the bilge either by weeping shaft seals or rudder seals or by a leak of some sort while the vessel is as rest, that water will run forward through the stringers to below the cabin floor. As there is no bilge pump that far forward, eventually the water will reach and exceed the level of the cabin floor. This of course will ruin carpet, woodwork and anything that comes into contact with the water. The best way to avoid this is to make sure all bilge pumps are fully operational, shaft seals are tightened correctly and there are no other leaks. A permanent solution would be to seal the engine room from the cabin completely by blocking off any way for water to travel through the engine bulkhead and hollow stringers.

2) The second item is related to the first. The 27s were offered with two options for fuel tanks. 200 gallons standard or optional 240 gallons. In either case, especially with the 240 gallon option, high bilge water can corrode the bottom of the fuel tanks causing very dangerous and potentially explosive fuel leaks. This is nothing to fool around with. If there is any indication of fuel leaking from the tanks, fuel tank replacement is likely the only solution.

3) The decks of the 27 are cored as are most vessels. Over time and multiple owners drilling holes and adding brackets and various hardware, moisture can saturate the core. Check for soft spongy decks and hatches. If you find a section that is spongy, the core will have to be replaced. Its not the end of the world and when done properly, can be stronger than new.

I would have a marine surveyor inspect the boat just to make sure you are not getting into a project bigger than you are willing to tackle.

Buying a 24 year old boat is like buying a classic car. You can have everything from a beautiful original survivor to a perfect restoration to a complete disaster. And just like classic cars, the price is going to vary greatly depending on condition. Make sure you understand what you are getting into.

Good Luck!