OK Heres the deal.......

I have a 98 35 fountain with HP500'S.
As you probly know docking this boat SUCKS!!!!!

I switched the props so they spin outward.

This seemed to help alot. I played around at a friends pier and was able to maneuver the boat with ease.

I may have lost a little on top end but its hard to tell it was very windy and 2 to 3 footers. (fun fun fun)

I was turning 4900 rpm's with a full tank of gas.

I think I'll keep it this way but heres my question.

Should I switch the drives or just the cables.
I've heard to just switch the cables, which is what I have done.
If so will this hurt the drives since they have been turning one direction for so long.

What should I do!

Joe Pasko

One more thing....

The motors have 320 hours so I replaced the valve springs.
The boat ran great prior to replacing them. But I'm glad I did cause I had a broken inner spring in each motor.

Just a little food for thought.

Joe

I just switched my cables and had no problem. Been 2 yrs now. I think you may get varied opinions on this. I look at it like this, now you are using the back side of the gears that have not been used, except when in reverse, so basically new gears.

Also heard of some that like to swap the drives every yr to get an even wear on both sides of the gears. Seems extreme to me, but whatever works. Someone also had said they believe the prop shaft will develope a twist from turning the one direction all the time, then switching the rotation will cause premature failure. Never seen it myself from normal use. I'll leave that at that. To many 'theorys' sometimes.

The reverse and forward gear set in a Bravo is basically a mirror image, so just swapping shift cables should be fine Joe. Or you can just drive with the shifters backwards-deters theft

Joe Ted is correct That would be ok No issue..
Bob

Thanks guys for your input.
I'll keep the drives as they are.

Hey Ted how things?
Hope to see you out on the bay soon.
Judy and I are going to try and make Mays club meeting.
We'll see you there.

Joe

Sounds good Joe. Trying to get some of the projects done on the Formula. Looks like it's gonna be a great year for the club-if we can afford the gas

See you in May!