JRPInd

I was considering installing a nose cone on my Bravo 1 Drive. Is it worth it?? What could I expect, if anything?? thx

Too Stroked

What are you looking to gain? Sounds like a simple question, but it isn't.

JRPInd

Looking to gain some speed and quicker planes. thought a nose cone could help gain some hydro dynamic efficiency (??)

VetteSteve

I had the same question. I talked to the Mercruiser rep at the Miami boat show and he stated that the Bravo 1 was good up to 100 mph. He also stated with a longer lower unit such as a speed master it would slow you down due to extra drag and not increase the speed.

If your only objective was to increase speed I would think adding a nose cone, which would elongate the lower unit, would increase drag and slow you down.

For example there may be a reason for adding a nose cone to resolve a handling problem or other issue.

Hot Boat

Griff

if you're not over 80mph, then there is not normally any benefit.

Mr. Demeanor

If your not blowing out your current lower unit, a nosecone will not get you anything. You might get some transom lift. A rounder nosecone like stock is actually more hydrodynamic until it blows out than a pointy one. This is why things like torpedoes are not pointy.

Too Stroked

Ding, ding ding. We have a winner. As usual, Griff hit it right on the head.

Another thing nobody mentioned is that it's generally pretty hard to mount a nose cone correctly, then have it look like anything over time. Many people have waster lots of money on these bad boys over the years.

JRPInd

Thx. I think I'll shy away from a nose cone then. Boat top speed is 70 mph, per speedometer. Not sure if its blowing out. How do i know if it is, what are the symptoms?

Griff

You would know. The prop would lose bite, the engine would rev but the boat would hardly move. Kinda like spinning the tires on a car.