'87 10m express performance

[Jlevy]

Hey guys,

I am in the process of purchasing an '87 10m Express. I has the boat surveyed on the hard and will sea trial her next week. If all goes well and oil samples come back clean I will move forward. The question that I have pertains to performance numbers for these boats. I seem to be finding a wide range based on power options, naturally, so I wanted to share what this boat has and get your thoughts on what I should see during the sea trial:

Repowered with model year 2005 Crusader 8.1L MPI gas engines
New transmissions: ZF 2:1 ratio
1.25" shafts
3 blade 18x 22 props
Clean bottom
Light on fuel, no water, no waste, minimal stores

Thoughts?

[oil&water]

I have heard about an F36 doing 38 knots with the 8.2L big blocks. Not sure about the 10M exactly, but she ought to "fly" with those engines.

[RWS]

I seriously considered those engines for my repower.

the 8.1 has more horsepower and torque than the 454.

additionally, it is fuel injected and more efficient.

on the gas side of the equation, they are a good choice.

Just remember, it's not the engine that moves the boat, it's the propeller.

If the bones of the boat are good, you have a great powerplant to go with here

RWS

[WayWeGo]

I have heard about an F36 doing 38 knots with the 8.2L big blocks. Not sure about the 10M exactly, but she ought to "fly" with those engines.

Do you know what kind of fuel burn at that speed?

[oil&water]

I have no direct experience with the 8.1l re powers, but have read on several different forums that's owners with F36 size boats are burning around 60GPH at WOT. Around 30-36GPH at cruise.

My buddy's Regulator 28 with twin Yami 300's burns 59GPH at WOT, but that's at close to 70MPH.

Moral of the story, want to go fast? Pay the fuel man!

[WayWeGo]

Those numbers are better than I expect to see for our 440s when I get the fuel flow sensors installed. Fuel injection can work wonders if you get it right!

[Jlevy]

Thanks for the input. Sea trial is scheduled for Monday, aL'll let you know how it goes. I already had the boat surveyed and aside from normal maintenance items she checked out in good condition.

[RWS]

there is a small wooden block between the stringer and the engine mount.

check these for cracks, especially the outboard ones.

there is only one wooden bulkhead on this boat - between the engine room and the lazarette.

check it for rot.

otherwise the express has woodless stringers and a vacuum bonded hull liner.

very little wood in the express

RWS