Hurricanes drive up the cost of lumber. With do many zinging in from the gulf this year it'll be a while before supply catches up with demand.

As mentioned, you’ll never get 400 hours out of a XR set, if it’s a budget issue, put in a new set of X gears, they’re about $800 cheaper than XRs and the don’t do this.

When AAD rebuilt my XR he put X gears in along with his shaft and beefed up top bearing. It is in a 29 foot Velocity with a engine that dynoed at 560hp. Two seasons and no problems. Hope this helps.

Padraig

Thats a great package right there. Another upside is if you arent beating on it, the X gears will give many more hours of run time.

As others have said stick with the x till it blows. Dont pin the throttles getting on plane. Also I would not run a 4 blade if you can get on plane with a 3 blade. Slip will be your friend.

Chris

Well it sounds like a few of you think a fresh set of X gears could work for me. I know slip with a bravo 4 blade on this boat is about 18% so that should help it last. A 3 blade doesn't really work on a Nordic Heat, and actually a 5 blade performs the best. I can stick with a 4 blade though at 18%.

I boat in fresh water lakes and it's pretty calm. In the past 2 seasons owning this boat I haven't aired it out yet. I'm very easy on the sticks too so I guess it's worth a try. Only one way to find out! I'll get a stronger clutch shaft and cap etc while I'm at it.

You guys helped me out a bunch here. Thanks again.

I forgot to say in my earlier post, I am running a 5 blade hydromotive left hand.

Padraig

My experience has been a bit different. When I repowered my Donzi 22 with the 525 the almost new Bravo X upper broke on the first time out on the big water. The XR upper has been running strong for about 10 years now. So I will never be convinced the the X is stronger than the XR.

How many hours were on the x at that point?

About 100 hours. The upper gears broke and cone clutch stuck in forward gear. On Lake St. Clair.