Speedmasters vs Bravos
10-17-2010 | 10:53 AM
#1
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From: Toms River, NJ
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
THanks
10-17-2010 | 11:04 AM
#2
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From: Seaford, VA
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.
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.
Last edited by seafordguy; 10-17-2010 at 11:06 AM.
10-17-2010 | 12:47 PM
#3
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From: Channel Islands, So. Cal.
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. 
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.
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.
10-17-2010 | 02:34 PM
#6
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From: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
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.
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.
10-17-2010 | 05:03 PM
#8
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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.
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.
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.
