oh and p.s i would address you by name, but i have no idea who you are...

Cadillac is shot right now. We lost just about all our base. If there's anything left in the woods, it isn't worth talking about. So far this week maybe 4 inches. Definitely not enough to start grooming again. Forecast is calling for some LE starting tonight through Friday that has the potential to drop a fair amount. Unfortunately with LE though, it's all about where the wind is blowing from... so you never know. We really need another big system to come through to get things going again, and there's nothing in the forecast right now. Hence the reason I'm thinking about boating right now.... Heading to the Keeweenaw this weekend though, so at least I'll get some miles in.

But I digress- thanks to everyone for the advice so far. I'm busy looking into the Imco shorty's and cost to build the setup that has been described by a couple people here (imco shorty's, beefed up internals on my Bravos or B-Max uppers). I don't doubt that the Bravo's can hold the power under ideal conditions, but occasionally I'm not as quick on the sticks as I would like to be yet, so I would rather just build the drives up from the get-go if I'm going to do this. Our boating season is short here in MI, so the idea of a blown drive taking a weekend or two away from me doesn't sit well...

A member here contacted me about retrofitting #3's to my boat because he had a couple complete setups for sale used that he had pulled out of a customer boat that went to #6's... I understand they are making gears for them again, so apparently parts are available, but I don't know much about #3's. Input?

The stated weight from Fountain is about #8500lbs. As for actual weight... never checked it. My wife likes to pack a lot of sh*t into every boat we have, so it could probably be lighter... lol. Not sure what you mean by "dry". The boat is on it's trailer and is stored inside a pole barn when not it use...

Really Bo, how many people in fountain country can call you by name? Input on #3s your transom isnt tall enough to get them to a good working heigth and what a can you would open in the engine compartment. you like working on it now put a transmission behind the engine think of the room your losing. your also adding a lot of weight. Making your 100 # harder.

If u guys only knew !!!!

a few. i have an idea, but i am getting old so gimme a break...mrjh

keep in mind the b maxes will also effect the c.g being they are significantly heavier as well they will torture the gimbals. and as drive said the small engine comp will not really like the 3 set up.

I agree. You can put #4 or #5 drives on, but would require alot of re-rigging, and they take alot of horsepower to turn. There is a guy who runs around the south haven area who has a 35 with #6's and 1000's in it i believe. I believe they had to cut the swim platform out to fit the drives. Boat is a beast though!

Sounds like if you have the money e-mail RIK, seems it would be the most reliable way. plus you can use the same cut outs.

These guys can say what they want but I was the owner at the time of the boat he is talking about and I was also the one writing the checks and the vortechs cost a little more than half a whipple, are easier on the drives on the low side... One drive in two years... and the boat has since had the shortys and the ratio changed and Imco drives. Now it was a twin step lightning but they are running 110 and I can verify that because I was right beside him and I know how fast he was running! I ran over 100 before all the other upgrades and I can guarantee that if you get a good install (( shameless plug time for EB Marine )) it will run with anybody with a whipple! I know they are a great product but the vortech kits are going to cost you 13-15k which is 50% less and that boat has over 3 years on the 500eft's and not a problem at all. I'm just talking from experience...

Chad