Bravo3 on Bat?

36Tango · 16-10-2011, 07:53 PM

I have a US built v24 Bat with a Bravo 1 outdrive. After driving a friends with a duoprop, I saw the advantage. I really do not want to take the time and expense to totally change to Volvo, but had thought about using a Bravo 3. Has anybody done this? Any thoughts?

larby · 16-10-2011, 08:10 PM

Bravo 3 is a slower drive than the 1, it's said to be a real dog above the upper 60's. Not sure how easy it'd be to find props for your speed either. You'd gain stability but lose a load of speed I'd imagine.

You can bolt a 3 lower to your 1 upper, that'd be a cheap way to test the idea, though I'd advise you change to an uprated upper as the duo setup will put a load more strain on it.

Hope that helps,

James

36Tango · 17-10-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

Bravo 3 is a slower drive than the 1, it's said to be a real dog above the upper 60's. Not sure how easy it'd be to find props for your speed either. You'd gain stability but lose a load of speed I'd imagine.

You can bolt a 3 lower to your 1 upper, that'd be a cheap way to test the idea, though I'd advise you change to an uprated upper as the duo setup will put a load more strain on it.

Hope that helps,

James

I am not looking at building a rocket, I just need to be able to get to 75mph with a 400 hp smallblock. I really like teh idea of better manners around the dock and the faster acceleration. I would try to find a volvo/penta duoprop, but all of the switcover would cost too many $$$.

Tony Davis · 17-10-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larby

Bravo 3 is a slower drive than the 1,
James

I found it to be the opposite on one of my Diesel 26's, couple of miles an hour quicker, and the boat was better balanced.

you can get the props in 30", which would almost certainly be taller than you'd need.

Ben · 17-10-2011, 02:27 PM

According to Mercury, the newest swept back version is designed for a top speed of about 65 mph.

This link might be of some help.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...top-speed.html

Hydrostream · 17-10-2011, 04:07 PM

I have a bravo 3 for small enough money, its not pretty but its in pwo.
Drive and transom asy.

Took it out of a boat that we replaced the whole package in when the engine shit its self.

larby · 17-10-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Davis

I found it to be the opposite on one of my Diesel 26's, couple of miles an hour quicker, and the boat was better balanced.

you can get the props in 30", which would almost certainly be taller than you'd need.

Well there ya go then! Sounds like it'd be worth a try to see what happens!

James

36Tango · 25-11-2011, 04:48 PM

I purchased a Bravo3 lower and had it rebulit with gearing that gives me a final ratio of 1.65 to 1. I also purchased a new set of Mercruiser 28P "cupped" props to start our testing with. I am hoping that this will get me somewhere close to where similar boats handle with a Volvo DP-X.

CLW · 25-11-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36Tango

I purchased a Bravo3 lower and had it rebulit with gearing that gives me a final ratio of 1.65 to 1. I also purchased a new set of Mercruiser 28P "cupped" props to start our testing with. I am hoping that this will get me somewhere close to where similar boats handle with a Volvo DP-X.

The Bravo 3 drive (even the XR version) is designed to have both props hooked up at all times. If it's installed on a boat that leaves the water more than occasionally it's a case of when the drive will fail, not if.