I'm assuming you mean a SSM 3 or 5? I'd love surface drive to be an option, but I really need a more technical answer on them regarding their suitability to my hull design.
As for the ssm's, there's the availability of parts, and the lack of a builder in the UK. How often would I need to rebuild a SSM?

Cheers,

James

Yes, I'm talking about the SSM's. I read on a post that another company is making parts for the SSM's. I'm not sure who. I think they are rated for 675 or 775hp. You can go to www.go-fast.com and find out. They have good information. I'm not sure what a XR is rated at. The XR may be enough.....but you will be on the border line and I'm sure you could break it if you tried.

I just checked on www.go-fast.com. The SSM's are rated for 750hp. I think that is going to be your cheapest option that will be reliable. Otherwise, Arneson Surface drives. If you can't afford either, you will have to do like the rest of us bravo 1 owners......go slow so you don't break anything and forget racing.

The B Max might be a cost effective solution, not sure the max power they handle. Someone told me 900 hp...not sure though. They are definitely a beefier casing and they will bolt up to your bravo gimble.

Just did my reseach. B-Max is 850hp. and bolts up to your existing bravo drive gimble. If you have high HP, you may want to upgrade your gimble. That may be your easiest upgrade that is priced fairly. Call the Brovo Shop.

Any idea what the price is on a Bmax? I thought they only took a fraction more hp than a bravo?

Prices for 2nd hand SSM's don't seem too bad, but I think I'd need a #5 drive, as the bravo is literally as high as it could go on the boat to get it in the right place! IIRC, #3's are much longer?

James

The new B-MAX drives are stronger than the older ones.
I just talked to them. I think it was $14,300 or $14,700. No TAX since I was out of state. You don't have to do any transom work, no transmission, etc. Maybe an upgraded gimble from IMCO. Call them.

IMCO SCX or Bmax I think are your best bet.
I talked to The new owner of the Bravo shop (BMax) seems like a really nice guy.. is making improvements over the previous ownership..
Plan on around $15K for either

Wow, that's quite a bit of money still, though I agree it's for a great bit of kit. I forget how expensive boating can be sometimes with 15k being considered cheap!!

James

hi if you are in the market for Bmax i was talking to someone who has two i am all so in the the uk 28 ft pantera twin 496 ho , and B1 drives which i think is the weak link here as i allready have one stuck in forward gear and am now replaceing upper just waiting for it to arrive after all the talk on B1 breaks on here i am in the market for something stronger as you no get break down in the uk and it allways seems a a problem getting stuff ,nice boat buy the way friend of mine had revenger back in the early 90s red and white with 502 at that time i had 26 bonito 383 small block with blower let me no wot you do re drives