Robinls05

Just ordered a new Fountain 38 Sport Fish Cruiser. Seatrialed one with Mercruiser 496 HO w/ Bravo III drives. The boat felt sluggish out of the hole. Is this due to the counter rotating props? Our boat was originally to come with Yanmar deisel 315 w/ Bravo III. Was told that package wasn't working for them and switched us to the Cummins Mercruiser QSB5.9-425HO w/ Bravo III XR drives. Are these the right drives or should we go with Bravo I XR? Are there any comparisons that you can direct me to?

hillbilly24

Bravo III drives have a better hole shot in a boat like that then a Bravo I would. The 3 is defenitly the right animial for that boat. If you thought the it was sluggish out of the whole with that setup you shoulf try it with a Bravo I, you could make lunch before the boat got on plane. It's just a heavy boat and theres not much you can do about that.

hillbilly24

Oh and it will be ALOT better with the diesels. I would recomend taking one for a sea trial that has the same power as the one you are buying though.

Robinls05

Thanks for the info. We'd love to seatrial this package, however, there isn't one yet. Nothing like being part of the test market. I have looked at the specs for the QSB5.9-425 Cummins and they are quite impressive. Over 700 ft-lbs of torque should push that 16k lbs beast pretty good. Any input on the Cummins-Mercruiser match?

hillbilly24

dont be dropping the hammer from a standstill too often with that boat. 16k pounds and 700 FTLBS of torque=blown up drive. I didn't know the boat weighed that much and those motors made that much torque. That thing is gonna be a big time drive eater. I would seriously talk to them about building it with Arnesons or Twin Discs.