Just built a 548 n/a motor for my 25ft v hull sunsation with the help of bob at marine kinetics (rmbuilder) My local marina guy thinks if I ease up on plane and roll into it, i can make it last. My question is, can I beef up a bravo I to hold close to 700hp? I'm afraid I know the answe, but hoping someone can tell me different.

My experience/research has shown me personally, if you take it easy to get on plane, don't snap on the throttles, keep changing the fluid, and keep the wave jumping to a minimum you can make it last.

My experience as proven twice that 730 hp will completely destroy bravo 1 outdrives., I don't care if you are easy on the sticks or not, your on borrowed time, Its just a matter of time before it lets loose. I went to a Imco SC Extreme Advantage and have no problems.

the bravo will cause you more stress then the enjoyment of boating will bring you. I agree the imco sc's are better but I blew mine up over and over driving like you were told. Obviously more hp but...

If I had your boat I would buy the asd 6 arneson on the classifieds here and call it a day. Gain speed and strength!

If there were 2 used ones I would have them already...saving my pennies

Thanks for the opinions. Is there any way to beef up a bravo I to be a little more stout?

I think Dick "mr gadgets" can answer the question better. He builds bravos and treats everyone good, plus he is not that far from you. There are lots of other companies that make "stronger" parts but nothing will last IMO.

Your least expensive up front cost would be to have a complete spare drive ready to bolt on so you don't lose any of our precious boating time. When you break, not if, take it to dick and then once its fixed you have your spare again.

My experience is that with the best parts in a Bravo XR youll get about 50 hours in the ocean and around 100 on lakes taking it easy.

Gadgets is really good - so is acrticfriends.


Uncle Dave

I'm currently running a Mr Gadgets XR built drive and so far so good. holding up to 700 hp.

How do I get ahold of mr gadgets and how much coin is it gonna take to get it beefed up? Thanks again for all of the replies

Imco and Teague build the same thing.

Gadgets is likely a better deal, but good parts and work are never "cheap".

Looking for a record of what I paid- I didnt buy it stand alone so I may not be able to decipher the price.

CB-BLR and KAP are also pretty good drive info resources here from high HP user perspectives.

UD