27 Activator Shines Again: Mercury Racing Power Pushes the Classic Offshore Sport Boat

There are some boats that earn their way into “classic” territory; usually a game changing design, incredible performance or race winning hull. In the case of the Activator 27, it really defined the company in the early days, being a winning APBA Factory One race winner multiple times. The notable 27 originally was a straight V, then a single step before a later iteration became a twin step. Taylor Peterson was lucky to acquire a very nice refurbished 27 Activator in the sought after twin step configuration. Not only that, this boat had been repowered and redone in 2021 with a Mercury Racing 600 SCi. Other hardware includes an Imco SCX upper and SC lower, along with 380 K-planes. Here is Taylor’s experience having run the venerable pocket offshore Activator.

Taylor really wanted a single engine offshore performance boat and had been eyeing a few Activators in the past but like many old boats, time is not kind to them. But this spring, a beautiful yellow 27 popped up that was essentially turnkey and it had all the right setup. The time tested GM based 8.2L block is fitted with a compact 3.3L screw type supercharger, making an easy and efficient 600 HP. This could be the perfect match for mid size sport boats like this. Taylor has found he is getting upper 80s with a full load and the hull just destroys rough water. He told me with the k-planes set even, and in any water he can run right through it with ease, nothing like other boats he’s driven.

The Mercury Racing 600 SCI is a GM bases 8.2L block, aluminum heads and a compact supercharger, making an efficient 600 HP. RPM range is 4,800 to 5,200 RPM.

With a light load and running a Max 5 ST 28”, he is touching 90 MPH, and has ordered a non short tube Max 5 for his number one prop. He also ran a stock out of the box Bravo 1 32” and hit 89 MPH, which is really impressive. You won’t find too many 27s that can run in the rough like this boat can, the ones that can are also usually descendants of known race hulls as well. This boat has been repainted and fully updated with a new interior recently, it looks really stunning.

The classic Activator 27 still has amazing lines.

One noticeable thing about the 27 Activator is the narrow 7” beam, and Taylor said it is cozy but feels like a race boat, there are no frills, but everything is all business. This yellow beauty is a former race boat called “snack time.” And in a former life it had big power and ran in the 115 MPH range. Taylor noted how competent the hull was in a straight line, no wheeling just run it straight, runs level with no drama, simply the best rough water boat he’s driven. There are no creaks, or rattle of any kind, just sold all the way through. The current 30’ Rage Powerboats model is heavily inspired by the 27.

Taylor is absolutely loving this incredible Activator and I think he really hit the jackpot with this particular boat, it’s near perfect. Mark Schepf from Rage Powerboats and Activator has built some amazing boats over the years and this 27 stands out. Watch for Taylor in New Hampshire and sometimes in Vermont and Lake Champlain. Those guys are really friendly up there, so say hello if you see him and thanks to Taylor for sharing his boat.

Here is the same boat in race mode called Snack Time.