Newbie question about drives...
 

Hello All,

I am just about to purchase a 96 Fountain 38 Lightning w/ 525SCs and Bravo 3 drives. As a newbie to offshore boats in general I am not very knowledgable regarding the various drive options and was looking for a little help.

Question: How are the Bravo 3 drives versus other drives?

Or, to put it another way -- Should I plan on replacing the drives pretty soon after getting the boat?

The boat is flawless and I know the seller very well. The engines just underwent extensive work and I have all receipts, etc. I just don't know much about the drives yet and wanted to know if I should be concerned.

Thanks in advance for any help you all can give me.

--KevinJ

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Are you sure they are Bravo 3's and not Bravo 1. ;)

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Well, I am going by what my friend said they are. How would I know for sure when looking at them?

-Kevin J

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Bravo 3 is a dual prop drive, as in one prop directly behind the other.

Bravo 1 is the standard single prop drive found on 90% of the boats

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

yeah, i have never seen bravo-3 on a fountain!!!!

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

I looked at the paperwork and it is indeed a Bravo 1 drive.

So...new question... :D

Should I plan on replacing the drive over some short period of time?

Thanks!

Kevin J

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

no Kevin you should be in good shape, with "stock" 525's run good props and watch the fluids. Those are pretty good drives

also the most important thing for all this free advice post some pictures :D

congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the board. Tom

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Thanks for the info, Tom.

I will get some pics tomorrow afternoon and post them tomorrow night. I am really excited about the new purchase. I even managed to get my wife excited about the boat...which is a bonus! :D My favorite saying is "happy wife..happy life"! :D

I will be looking to add graphics pretty soon. Right now the boat is factory RED with no graphics at all. I am planning on attending some boat shows to see what style of graphics I like.

I joined SCOPE here in SoCal and I might have to twist some arms to get someone to go out some weekend soon! Being the "rookie" and all I will defiintely take any advice I can get. I also plan on taking a boating safety course and will start looking into that tomorrow.

The other thing I think I should get is some sort of radio gear. At the very least I think I would need a portable radio of some sort. Not to get off the subject too far but can you recommend a good portable radio?

Thanks again for the info.

-Kevin J

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Same here Welcome to the Board... :drink: Do a fluid check and a pressure test and make sure there is no moisture in the oil.. keep the fluid changed and you should be good to go Thats a good engine drive setup... :D
Bob
Merc recomends 60Hrs on the engine oil(30 hrs WOT) for changes sesonaly or 80 hrs on the drives..(40 hrs WOT)

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Congrats on the Fountain purchase...get your self a Merc manual on those motors and set them up to spec...have a great summer! :drink:

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Congrats on the new boat!

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Congrats! Welcome to the family! :drink:

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Some Simrek drive showers wouldnt be a bad idea with your combo...................doug

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

I purchased an Icom water resistant port radio. The nice thing is that it has it's own antenna, the down side is I would not venture too far offshore as the range will be less than a dash mount one (3 watt) and tall antenna. I believe mine would be good for up to 20 miles offshore, after that I think I would not be able to be heard or to hear anyone else. No expert here this stuff. West Marine $160.00.

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Thanks for the help everyone! I will plan on seeing what is over at West Marine with regard to the radio gear. I am going to go out next Saturday (weather permitting) so I'll most likely get some radio gear before then.

I will definitely plan on having the boat serviced to be at a good starting point.

Doug - Thanks for the tip on the Simrek drive showers. I'll check them out.

--Kevin J

Kevin J

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Welcome to the board! Congratulations on the new purchase also. Look forward to seeing the pictures.

I have the Simrek drive showers on our boat and like them. The 90 degree pick-up makes a big difference. I think they may be a sponsor of OSO. They use to give an OSO discount. If not see if Trick Marine aka TooOld here on OSO carries the Simrek showers. He has the best prices and great customer service of any Marine dealer I have ever dealt with.

Dan

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Ditto! :drink:

Re: Newbie question about drives...
 

Last time I looked Fred wasnt selling the Simreks.......go to driveshowers.com ......the owner of the company will answer the phone.

doug