What are the blown 540's pushing for HP? The magic number for bravos and longevity is 550 HP. Anything more and failures are more pronounced.

As mentioned our xr's are going on 300 hours with another 50 or so hours to go!!

The engines in the boat I looked at dynoed at 763 hp

Invest in lots of bravo parts if you take the plunge!!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]544712[/ATTACH]

I use to always carry a spare. Easy swap they off you go.

Then I got These ^^^^^^^ and No more worries.

I remember seeing a SCX for the first time, pictures don`t do it justice, it`s a beefy unit. Makes a bravo look small.

^^^ True, I saw one on a boat @ XT when mine was there. Well built hardware.

this might be the exception and not the norm, but I have 502's with blowers (think 525SC's but swapped the long block 454's over to 502's)
they dino'd at 625HP....not near the HP a lot of you bigger boys run, but not stock either. I have Bravo 1's (X upper's and XR lowers) and have had the boat for 8 years. The only drive problem I had was a lower blew up because the case was found to have a tiny crack in it, let water in, I missed it... the rest is history.

That said, I am VERY gentle getting into the sticks as I get on plane, never mash em on the dash quickly...but make no mistake, I drive the **** out of that boat. Basic care for the drives and have never had a problem other than that lower case.

I am familiar with that boat been on it many times. Owner passed away about 10 years ago and has seen very little use by his son ever since. I know the family struggled with deciding to sell it for many years. If u have seen it u can tell it is super clean and very well maintained. I can tell you the owner was very easy on the sticks and most of its life was spent on the Ohio River and Lake Cumberland so not real nasty water. His mechanic (Clyde...not sure of his screen name) can tell you the complete history on the boat. Good luck if you decide to purchase. She needs a good home

I am same way. I have a 2000 T/S 590 hp and have been running Bravo I's (1:36) for the last 5 years. Only issues I have had is a couple twisted prop shafts when venturing into big water. I was told my drives wouldn't last a season. I launch the boat all the time cause she always fly's perfectly straight but I'm very careful with sticks. I have a buddy who is much harder on his and can't keep XR's together. It's all about how y
ou drive em.

Who wants to drive a Ferrari like grandma on her way to church on Sunday? I know I don`t have that kind of self control.
Even if I did, Lake Michigan is not going to be on board with that plan .