1966 26 ft Marinette Express

[Hyperjump]

Just bought my 1st marinette. Its a 1966 26ft express single 327 fireball engine. I am having a hard time finding specs for her. I have bin told dry weight is 5500lbs. Not sure thats correct. Anyone know the weight of a 66 26 ft express or any 26 ft express and any other specs for her. Cant wait to have in water this weekend, weather permitting. Also new to forum. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. I will have pics up soon.

[ddependo]

welcome captain. Lots of info on here. Do a search and you can find some info on your 26

[EWRice]

Can't help you much on the hull, but if you need info or parts for the the old Rambler 327, let me know. They are a unique, but reliable and extremely well built engine. The engine and 1:1 velvet drive weighs 925lbs alone without risers.
Happy boating!

[Hyperjump]

Thanks EWRice. I will keep you in mind if I need anything. I am running her home this weekend from Port Clinton to Ashtabula. Taking my buddy who is a mechanic with me for back up. The Fireball engine in it ran strong for sea trial but I'll find out how strong on a 5 hr run home. Last owner said he never ran her over 3100 rpm for more than a few minutes. I'll post after returning home .

[EWRice]

3100 is probably the sweet spot for that engine. The way they are built, I would trust them to 6000rpm and my only fear would be floating valves. Everything is forged and we'll balanced from the factory. The block has incredible bracing on the main bearing webs. Lots of extra iron in all the right places, and high nickel content (like an Oldsmobile engine). Their only downfall is horrible head design (more like a farm tractor) for high rpm. Which model 327 do you have?

[Hyperjump]

All I know is its a gray marine fireball 327. I find out more info Saturday. What other models did they make .Everyone says its a strong engine. Parts are a little hard to come by , just need to look a little ,but there out there. Thanks to all for the info from this forum. Its good to know there is a site like this for help.... Ill post more info when i get her home.

[EWRice]

They built them in V8-xxx (flywheel aft) and V8C-xxx (flywheel forward) versions of different hp. The xxx in the model would be the hp rating. Post '64 engines using Rochester carbs added an f to the model after the v8 or v8c.

[Hyperjump]

Update on trip home. That Gray Marine Fireball 327 ran great... No issues at all. Burned about 70 gallons of gas from port clinton to fairport habor 2 stops. Rough seas first leg of trip then lake laid down. Ran rest of the way home at 2800 to 3100 RPM. Throttle lever loose , kept having to bump throttle lever up. Will get that fixed. Also going to put trim tabs on , ( next year ). Over all , boat ran and handled great. Lots of looks when pulling into docks. People all said they dont make them like that anymore. Cant beat a classic I said...Now for the docking.... I will say , practice , practice , practice , and more practice on docking her. But I knew that going into this. I will master it , maybe not this year , but I will..... I am also looking for a bimini and windshield cover to get. Is there any place that has them or is that a custom job. Looked a bit on line but nothing yet. Any ideas ????? I am trying to post pics of boat but having trouble. Will be up soon. Also the earliest model on line im finding is a 1968 28ft. No 1966 26 ft marinette. Ill keep digging.

[Leviathon]

I have a 327 with transmission (Marine) minus intake and carb that you can have if you can arrange to pick up. I am in Southwest Michigan.

[EWRice]

I would have taken you up on that offer if I would have seen this sooner. I was in st. Joe all day. If the offer still stands, and the O.P. is not interested, I will take it off your hands. PM me if interested.