Bravo drives
 

I had a 28 Warlock offshore with twin bravo one drives with 525sc with 600hp each. The bravo drives was stock with annual oil changes. I have driven the Warlock in lakes, rivers, ocean without any drives issues, the drives has over 350hrs after 20 yrs of ownership. The Warlock has run more than 90mph.
I feel is how you drive your boat and regular maintenance on the drives has provided me 20 years problem free service.

I run 30 maxima's on stock xr's with a 34 Superboat which is a fairly light hull , just at 200 hours and one drive has some metal this year. If I was staying at this hp level I would just buy new bravo's every 5 years

3 bravo XR's behind 3 525EFI's on my 47 Fountain (16,000 lbs wet). Have never blown up a drive.

Twin 525sc (550hp) with bravos and 5 blade Maximus props in a 28ft Checkmate (may be a little lighter than you)

I've had no issues - ran at lake Erie multiple times last year along with the Lake Cumberland poker run.

Thank you all for your input. I figured that if Merc was putting them there from the factory that it was pretty safe and you have confirmed that though.

It seems like a drive guardian, billet top caps, and drive showers would go a long ways to keeping Bravos happy.

a tool can break a bravo with 300 hp... a good driver can make one live with 650+ infront of it