So I’m curious about this I’ve done some researching it seems like about everywhere. Just how big a deal is this dimension in our boats or I should say on my 1987 Cafe?

reason I ask after talking with old owners of mine and even the glass company that put the transom and stringers in and converted to bravo from TRS they “ x” was forgot to be raised im told and after some half a$$ Measuring and comparing others my Bravos are at TRS height. Which I have gathered are deeper? That being said I’m swinging my bravo 24p 4 blades easily in all ranges of rpms etc. my question is I guess would I be more beneficial top speed etc? going to a 3 blade as the drives are as deep as a TRS or am I looking at and thinking about this wrong? I know it’s a Cafe and it’s a sled and it’s not fast and I don’t expect it to be but if I can get what I can get or even see better I’m all ears!

someone help make sense of it for me or guide me in the direction I may be thinking?

thanks!

And yes I do plan on adding -2 shorties in the near future or this winter I should say if I find the right deal!

I can't answer much about the x-dim, but my 91 Cafe, as well as other boats I've owned, got a few more mph top end with Mirage Plus 3-blades versus a 4-blade... at the expense of midrange cruise speed.

I'm not familiar with the ideal x-dimension on your Cafe with Bravos but I'd find out where it's suppose to be and get as close to it as you can. A few years back I bought a boat with a 3 inch raised box and we were trying to find the correct x-dimension with spacers. It's amazing what a half inch will do in either direction of the sweet spot for your particular boat. A half inch too high slip percentages get excessive, a half inch too low and you can lose a significant amount of speed at WOT. I was shocked with the testing.

I cant seem to find it, but i have a comparison chart between the drives somewhere. But the Bravo is like 2.5" shorter than the TRS drive...so if the bravo is mounted in the exact same spot, the prop shaft is still 2.5" closer to the hull bottom than the TRS was before. This is assuming they cut the transom according to TRS specs...

interesting!! I’ve been trying to find that info as well!

That seems like a very expensive test scenario. Prop testing is pretty easy with the right prop shop like George has at LOTO, Cool Breeze, 573-348-0555. But finding someone or someplace that lets you try lower gearcases is another story, I've wanted to do the same thing, but those lowers are damn pricey. Anyone know of a drive shop that has test results or units available? Master Tech Marine or Bravo Shop maybe?

Dont know where i got this from so i cant give credit where its due...but i found this in my stash