Who's still running an A27s?

[DCatSea]

Looking through some older posts i was surprised by the number of replies from A27 FC/ SC owners, with a wide selection of engines ranging from the un-stoppable (with TLC) and veritable 4D61s to Perkins, Cummins, Yamaha and other manufacturers, and power levels somewhere between 61 - 175HP.

Question: How many of these venerable classics are still out there, chugging around at 6-7kts?

I think it would be lovely (sorry, I'm a Brit and can say this) to know how many of us slow-lane drivers are out there using no fuel, leaving no wake and having envious fast-laners say "Great Boat!"

Please send your comments and pix (just for fun).

PS - I finally have under way pix and will post asap

[Tmack]

TNT-Oct2024.jpg

I am! I have English roots so I'll agree that it would be "lovely" to get an idea of how many others are out there.
Last year we purchased a 1986 A27 FC that my wife and I are thoroughly enjoying. It has the original Nissan LD28 engine. I'm doing lots of maintenance/projects including successfully replacing the timing belt last weekend (proud of that).

[DCatSea]

A visitor to our marina recently told me that our A27 was the "boatiest boat" on the slips. I tend to agree, but then I'm a traditionalist when it comes to boats. I love the Eton pace boats with their Merlin engines and lack of wake at speed, but as we spent our honeymoon on a 68' narrowboat on the Thames I think I can say that we are proud to be slow lane drivers.

I'll post some pi.x of Mazboot underway very shortly

[Ambler27FC]

Very curious on this as well. I’ve averaged about 150 motor hours on the Chesapeake and down the ICW to NC for the past 7 years and can count the number of A27’s I’ve seen with the fingers on one hand. And it is a rare TYPE of boat - not much competition for what it does (excluding A25). Been surveying the market and the closest competitors are usually much larger and $100k+ or needing that much work.

I really hope an entry level path to slow fuel-sippin’ long-distance cruising is preserved.

[tego]

Howdy Doug, I'm still here too. I've got about 120 hrs on the new Beta 43 and it can do anything I ever did with the old Nissan. I cruise at 1800 RPM and 6.5 knots upstream. She'll get to about 7.9 Kts if I want to push it. She's really smooth for a 4 banger. I did re-install the 18x14 RH prop that I bought for the swap and returned the 18x13. Hope this season finds everybody on here well. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Ben

[DCatSea]

Greetings Ben and all slow laners,
"Mazboot" continues to chug along with her trusty 4D61. I'm constantly amazed by what a little TLC can achieve with these engines, and how easy it is to apply - the old saws - oil, water, atf and coolant, plus the occasional deck brush of whatever soap derivative is to hand to keep the engine room smelling less like a Parisienne sewer and more like a Turkish bath-house. I just (finally) got round to installing new (read modern-ish higher tech) sound insulation over the original thick cardboardy stuff that must have been there for decades. Remarkable difference in decibels; we can actually talk normally at cruising (1800rpm). Filling the diesel tomorrow; it's going to be a cold run, but long johns help, as will hard spirits when we get back alongside.
Just getting ready for Alexandria Christmas Parade of Lights on Dec.6th. Expect it to also be bloody cold, but great fun and I'm optimistic about the 60+ boat chaos at the start line. I will post pix this year (promise).
Not so optimistic about the real winter weather. Forecast looks a bit "iffy", with early snow being talked about on NBC, and very cold water (ice?) on the Potomac. Luckily, I have a bubbler, but also a close-by place on the hard if it becomes necessary to lift out, (more bloody money).

Anyway, hope y'all had a "lovely" Thanksgiving and that Santa will be kind this year. We're here for Xmas; no driving or flying to look forward to (yay!) , so calling for plenty of Pussers and Xmas Pudding to compensate.