Speedmasters vs Bravos
 

lookin at a few boats....31 Cig bullett, 35 cafe, and 33 Powerplays. Found a couple nice powerplays 1 with #4's and 1 with Bravos...the #4 has 540/600hp's. hows the availability on parts for the speedmasters ? 3's,4's etc ? On a powerplay with no blowers will bravos last with say 500-550hp as long as there not abused ? The 31-35 cigs are heavier for sure...how about those with 5-550hp and bravos ?

THanks

I have Bravo's on my cafe. They have at least 5 seasons on them - 575ish 502's with Wieand 177 blowers on them.

I am very easy on them getting up on plane. Change the oil at 25 hours no questions asked.

I actually like having Bravos on the boat. It is nice to know that if I completely destroy one I can be boating again for a couple grand for a used one and it would take under 20 minutes to swap them.

If you're planning on beating on the boat you'll probably destroy them in short order.

Oh - and resale is probably better on the Bravo Boats.

3's and 4's with only 500-700hp will be virtually indistructable as long as you service them and dont beat the sh!t out of them. Parts are (and will be for a long time) available but ARE NOT CHEAP!!! 3A shaft is like 3k a side. :eek:

I'd choose a SSM drive over a bravo drive all day long just to have the added peace of mind and know if you miss a swell and hit the rev limiter you aren't going to have to worry about grenading a drive upon re-entry. :drink:

Dont forget the cost of the props, huge difference.

Bravos

I would prefer Bravos, all day. The price range that I'm in puts me at a max at around $65K, and more reasonably around $50K. If I bust a Bravo drive I'm comfortable buying a rebuilt drive or rebuilding something that breaks. I'm not comfortable having to spend $5K on a lower, or $10K (or more) on an entire drive.

I also like the fact that I can upgrade the Bravo relatively cheap, and there seem to be a ton of replacement/upgrade bolt-on options for the Bravo transom.

Speedmasters! Bred for Offshore Powerboats!

I agree. The #4 with 600 hp in front of it would be a very, very relaible combination. Yahoo, has already brought up the cost of props, that is a drawback, but I would prefer a #4 in the combination that Berenie mentioned.

I have a 31 Cig bullet with a pair of bored 502's with B+M blowers. Love those Bravo's and if you take care of them they will take care of you.

only draw back with the ssm is the tranny plan on buying one..

How about a 35 lightning with pro roc power? In classifieds.

I would have to go with the SSM as well. Reliability is KING when offshore. I know the Bravos are cheaper to fix when the break, And yes they will break, but having the piece of mind when 30 miles offshore is everything.




Darrell.

actually have peeked at a couple 38's n 35's...pretty boat but the whipple bravo pkg makes me a bit nervous and out of my price range

Took the boat on the CT river run yesterday. HR meter turned 100 HRS on these motors yesterday. Not 1 problem with my Bravos. 10,000 LB boat (with fuel) and 575 HP each. Ran and functioned perfectly. Easy out of the hole, work the throttles in the rough...and your good to go!

Bravo's over #4's if 600hp or less....Less cost, easy maintenance, parts available everywhere.