Isn't the real question "Why doesn't the engine come with a drive capable of handling full-throttle starts?" No one would tolerate broken transmissions in a street car just because they floored it coming off of a stop sign.

Been saying that myself!

So sick of "they are fine if you drive it right". How did we as a community allow this?

It's about Money and Drag. A xr is less drag on the motor than say a scx drive.Where the scx drive is almost bullet proff it takes horsepoewer to spin it. That's one reason I like my Bravos. Under 700 hp they're are ok if you ease it up. I dont really want to drag race my 8 thousand pound boat. I also like to let off the gas when I am airborn. If you can afford 6 drives they have the low drag numbers but then you need tranny's and all that stuff is MONEY. But they are damn strong. Just like side stepping the clutch or big power w an automatic. Stuff is going to break. I twisted a yoke on a camaro w a 7500 rpm 402 hitting second gear. Fist I was blowing trannies then I went w a turb 375 and a Vega converter as a stall. That lasted the longest.. But stock power doent hurt anything, car or boat.. Just when you build power is when breakage happens.. Ever twist off a drive shaft in the front? It will spin round and round until you come to a complete stop. lol. Dust a sh!t coming out of the floor , carpet etc. It is quite an experience. Put a scx or 6 drive on you boat. You will probaby be able to hammer on it all day long. Until you break a prop or something :D

You are exactly right! Until someone has a replacement that is i hate to say "better and cheaper" it is a vicious cycle of buy a boat with bravos because its more affordable then when they break repair or buy another bravo because its still more affordable then all of the alternates.

This guy isn't afraid of hammering on the drives. IL. boat. Wonder if anyone knows this boat. Judging by the dash it looks to be 1997 non step boat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwBwXpsezR4

He just traded in his Sea-Doo jet boat last week on it.

I'd be curious to see the difference in stress put on the drive gears, shafts, etc between a half throttle vs wfo holeshot. With the torque curves of most big blocks I bet it's closer than most people think. And I'm sure it's nowhere close to the stress of a "missed re-entry" in rough water.