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Speedmasters vs Bravos

Old 10-17-2010, 10:53 AM
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Default Speedmasters vs Bravos

lookin at a few boats....31 Cig bullett, 35 cafe, and 33 Powerplays. Found a couple nice powerplays 1 with #4's and 1 with Bravos...the #4 has 540/600hp's. hows the availability on parts for the speedmasters ? 3's,4's etc ? On a powerplay with no blowers will bravos last with say 500-550hp as long as there not abused ? The 31-35 cigs are heavier for sure...how about those with 5-550hp and bravos ?

THanks
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Old 10-17-2010, 11:04 AM
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I have Bravo's on my cafe. They have at least 5 seasons on them - 575ish 502's with Wieand 177 blowers on them.

I am very easy on them getting up on plane. Change the oil at 25 hours no questions asked.

I actually like having Bravos on the boat. It is nice to know that if I completely destroy one I can be boating again for a couple grand for a used one and it would take under 20 minutes to swap them.

If you're planning on beating on the boat you'll probably destroy them in short order.

Oh - and resale is probably better on the Bravo Boats.

Last edited by seafordguy; 10-17-2010 at 11:06 AM.
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Old 10-17-2010, 12:47 PM
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3's and 4's with only 500-700hp will be virtually indistructable as long as you service them and dont beat the sh!t out of them. Parts are (and will be for a long time) available but ARE NOT CHEAP!!! 3A shaft is like 3k a side.

I'd choose a SSM drive over a bravo drive all day long just to have the added peace of mind and know if you miss a swell and hit the rev limiter you aren't going to have to worry about grenading a drive upon re-entry.
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Old 10-17-2010, 02:12 PM
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Dont forget the cost of the props, huge difference.
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Old 10-17-2010, 02:34 PM
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I would prefer Bravos, all day. The price range that I'm in puts me at a max at around $65K, and more reasonably around $50K. If I bust a Bravo drive I'm comfortable buying a rebuilt drive or rebuilding something that breaks. I'm not comfortable having to spend $5K on a lower, or $10K (or more) on an entire drive.

I also like the fact that I can upgrade the Bravo relatively cheap, and there seem to be a ton of replacement/upgrade bolt-on options for the Bravo transom.
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Old 10-17-2010, 04:57 PM
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Speedmasters! Bred for Offshore Powerboats!
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Old 10-17-2010, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by thisistank
3's and 4's with only 500-700hp will be virtually indistructable as long as you service them and dont beat the sh!t out of them. Parts are (and will be for a long time) available but ARE NOT CHEAP!!! 3A shaft is like 3k a side.

I'd choose a SSM drive over a bravo drive all day long just to have the added peace of mind and know if you miss a swell and hit the rev limiter you aren't going to have to worry about grenading a drive upon re-entry.
I agree. The #4 with 600 hp in front of it would be a very, very relaible combination. Yahoo, has already brought up the cost of props, that is a drawback, but I would prefer a #4 in the combination that Berenie mentioned.
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Old 10-17-2010, 07:14 PM
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I have a 31 Cig bullet with a pair of bored 502's with B+M blowers. Love those Bravo's and if you take care of them they will take care of you.
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Old 10-17-2010, 07:28 PM
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only draw back with the ssm is the tranny plan on buying one..
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Old 10-17-2010, 07:35 PM
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How about a 35 lightning with pro roc power? In classifieds.
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