No problem with the comment at all. I tend to agree. In any case, I would proceed with caution. This one looks like a candidate for a total package replacement, probably from Crusader. I don't think the risers are worth dictating what motor to use, etc., as they would be highly suspect. The good newss is, there are numerous sources for "marine GM big blocks". Parts are pretty plentiful.
I also saw Tom's comments about diesel, and he's right on. Pascoe did write an article about dispelling the myth of diesel superiority. He basically recommends staying with gas, unless there are extenuating circumstances of some kind. Sometimes "because I want to" is a valid reason to do anything.
What irks me, are the guys who go out and spend a big wad of money on this or that, and then spend the rest of their lives trying to justify it to their friends. Hey, if someone wants to do a new pair of diesels, or Crusaders for that matter, just do it for crying out loud, ha ha. Don't saddle yourself with a guilt trip!
I attended a meeting the other night where some boaters were trying to justify this and that at our yacht club. They were trying to put an accounting pen to the validity of our boat lift. I told them they couldn't justify ANY of their boating expenses, so why try to justify this? They laughed and agreed. Boating is expensive, some people wonder if they can afford it, but in reality most of us should be asking ourselves if we can afford to NOT be boating. Remember, it's a lifestyle, not a boat.
Regards, Paul