Chrysler (of course) makes a fine motor, as did AMC for the Graymarine series, often mistaken for the Chevy 327.
I like to remind Chrysler fans that when Richard Petty defaultef to Ford for one season, he beat the best machinery Chrysler could put on the track. So much for the "unbeatable hemi", snicker. Not many MoPar motors in the Commanders, however.
I actually love the SBC motors. I have a BBC in a C60 farm truck, it's a 366 tall decker. I can tell you that blankety blank distributor is in the WRONG place. Standing on the bumper leaning over the motor trying to even SEE those contact points is just nuts. Ford did have a better idea, but you are right, in a boat it really makes no difference. I'll be running my SBC on Saturday, by the way, and I'll post photos. Stay tuned!
Regards,
Paul