[Fr. Frank]

I saw one just like that down around Marco Island last fall, but it had twin 220 hp 4 cyl. Volvo turbo-diesel inboards, with half-tunnels for the propellers and shafts. It had the same kind of tower, too.

It was up on a lift behind a house on the north side of Pelican St. going back to Isles of Capri, and I stopped to talk to the owner who was sipping Iced Tea in the cabana on his dock. I was in my Seafari, and when he invited me to join him for an iced tea, I did.

It was an '84 model 27', and he said the model was a "Tournament Master", with a walk-around express-style cuddy, and the twin almost brand-new motors were under the center seating console, which tilted up hydraulically, leaving room for a compact fighting chair on the rear deck, and a marlin door in the transom. The cabin door was on the st'bd side, just like the one in the photos from Botapeje

The owner said he had re-powered in '02 from twin 170 hp Volvo naturals to the 220 hp turbo motors (same displacement), and had picked up 6 mph in his top speed, from 32 to 38 mph, and used less fuel at cruise.

The motors and propeller shafts were very close together, with the propeller tunnels just outside the center deep-v hull section. The trim tabs had to have been 30 inches long.

It had a for sale sign, and the price was $45K firm, reduced from an asking price of $60K.

I confess to you now. I drooled.