Looking a a cat w #5's ??
 

I'm looking at a 32' Awesome Cat w/#5's, I know Bravos (XZ and XR).

1.)#6's are the best what about 5's?
2.) How reliable?
3.) Are parts available?
4.) Where do you get them repaired? I'm in West Michigan.

Or just pass this by and look for one w/ #6's?

Randy

The #5 drive's closest relative is the TRS drive, with some #6 influence.

Jassman and f311sr1 would be good folks to poll on their thoughts for average use on #5 drives.

I do believe that www.bammarine.com can get you parts for them.

Jassman (Jeff) had them on one of his 43 Nortechs.
f311sr1 (Joe) has them on his 43 Black Thunder.

I've been running a staggered Top Gun with blower motors in P3 racing for 5 years with number 5's and haven't had a problem. We run the boat hard enough to win a World Championship with it in a very competitive class. These drives are bullet proof. Don't hesitate to buy the boat because of the drives. Parts are readily available. In fact, you can still purchase a new one from Mercury.

Where is the boat located? I know of a 31 awesome with #5's, I have spent some time on the boat. #5's should be very reliable for you.

Yes.... that is the same one I am looking at I stand corrected 31 not 32

Randy

I doubt you will have problems getting the parts if needed. What power is in the boat? That is a very good riding boat...especially in rough water. I was friends with the original owner.

There is an 31 Awesome here in the Cinci area with #5s also, he has never had a drive issue. Something like 800hp Cornett motors in it.

The 5's are going to soak up less power and are somewhat lighter than the 6 drive. If you're under 850 hp you have no reason to even look at a 6. If you're under 1000 and the boat isn't massively heavy and/or you're not doing holeshots, you're OK as well. The secret, aside from not overpowering or abusing them is to keep the oil changed regularly and to have them gone thru by someone really knowledgeable at regular intervals.

Mel Riggs is close to you and probably the best guy there is on SSM drives.

I had a pair of 5's on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat with 525's. The boat was used primarily in poker runs at 80% to 90% throttle most of the time. Never had a drive isuue, and I wouldn't worry about parts.

Much closer to #6s than trs drives. Larger input shafts,u joints,gimbals,gears, bearings,and dual verticial
lower unit shafts plus the same size prop shaft as a #6. Trs drives are not much stronger than a stock brovo. I ran well over 1000 hp with great success, there still around and look great.Also i use to build my own drives and had large shafts built to go in the #3s&4S.With the weight of that cat and big power they will live. Randy with Marine Drives Inc is my drive guy he stocks many used and new parts.