Seeking pachanga expert

[DON WINDLE]

I am a new Member of the Club. I currently own a classic 260 Sundancer 1985 which is my 5th Sea Ray boat. In 2003 i sold my 27 twin 454 Pachanga and have regretted it since. I am now looking at a 32 twin 454 Pachanga. I have printed the model brochures off the SEA RAY archives but would like to hear from someone who has extensive knowledge about the 27 and 32 twin engine 454 Pachangas. I would like to know if anyone has one for sale or knows about one. I believe the one I am currently investigating will be a keeper but I haven't actually seen it yet because it is 6 hours away. Does anyone have Owners manuals or any info to share. I have been told the Alpha outdrives are problematic with the 454 engines although I never had trouble with mine.

 

[islandclark]

Iam not an expert but just got a 32' Pachanga (1987) in the fall it has twin 454's running 360hp ea. I have a owners manual for it
Islandclark

 

[sprink56]

Don...welcome to the "club".:thumbsup:

I'm no expert either but have taken an interest in the 27 & 32 Pachangas from the late 80's~early '90's.

You might enjoy this thread:
http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28140

Look in Boat Trader Online and put a key word qualifier "Pachanga".

Big block torque will eventually "do" an Alpha I. There are no available HD forged parts of adequate capacity and metallurgy available for the Alpha Series I or II that will handle the 400 Ft Lbs+ of torque that a Big Block Chevy produces. Understanding this, Mercury developed the Bravo Series of stern drives.

I spoke with my friend Tommy Hofstetter, owner of Chief High Performance Marine Engines in Ft. Lauderdale, about this several times. He explained that even if you develop the upper gear sets from forged material, the Alpha Gear Housing doesn't have enough strength to hold the bearing races and shaft bushings in place with the added twist that a big block can put on the entire assembly. He added that at Chief, even with a Bravo I or II series that they put a strong engine in front of,they tear the drive down and install all oversized forged gears, bearings, shafts and seals. He said that if you "baby" an Alpha behind a big block or a strong small block you can let it live.....but the first time you do a strong hole shot or have the boat come out of the water and go back in with the prop biting suddenly...kiss it good bye.

I think if I was going to enjoy a big block Pachanga to it's full potential...I would consider changing the drives to Bravo's.:thumbsup:

John F.

 

[rwvw415]

I have a 1987 P22 with 454 Mag 330HP . I changed to a Bravo from a Alpha and it made all the difference in the world on how the boat handles, sounds and feels. It has been known for a long time that a Alpha will not hold up the to power of a big block . It will be just a matter of time before a Alpha comes apart behind a big block.