Stepped bravo or straight 6 boat

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02-26-2014, 12:24 PM

#11

smokin' gun

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Ran my 1st formula 382 fastek w hp 500s std bravos orig to the boat
Never had a problem 97 stepped loaded boat 10.000 plus
All in how you run it . And I'm not easy.i put 380 hrs on em

02-26-2014, 12:44 PM

#12

Unlimited jd

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I think at 600-700 hp the maintenance on a 6 drive is fluid changes and that's about it. On bravos it's $2500 every 100 hours to do gears etc

02-26-2014, 01:11 PM

#13

SS930

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lil red

I think at 600-700 hp the maintenance on a 6 drive is fluid changes and that's about it. On bravos it's $2500 every 100 hours to do gears etc

Agreed, although I would not bet on the bravos making it to 100 hours behind 600-700 hp before they spit the upper gear and possibly take out the case. If that happens, you're into them for a lot more than the $2500 gear change.

02-26-2014, 01:39 PM

#14

Sick Stinger

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Not to modify the question 930 stepped bravo or straight 6 those are the options

02-26-2014, 02:13 PM

#15

1MOSES1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by baja27

The cost upkeep on a 6 is big dollar, gears, gimbals, transmissions etc

i tend to agree...although #6's rarely fail, in the event it did the cost is exponentially higher than a bravo boat. for the cost of one rebuild, you can probably rebuild a bravo 3-4 times. not to mention drive oil is 2x more expensive and more moving parts in the transmission. also note that 6's tend to leak water often therefore oil changes are required much more frequently. not saying i wouldnt want 6's but they have there downsides.

regarding the rebuilding of bravo's every 100 hours. i guess its good practice as i will have jamie look at ours this spring, but many on the boards seem to be getting 250-500 hours without an issue. every situation is different i guess...hull weight, power, water conditions, driver, etc...to each there own.

Last edited by 1MOSES1; 02-26-2014 at 02:18 PM.

02-26-2014, 02:31 PM

#16

1MOSES1

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SS930

I'd save up a few more dollars and buy a stepped boat with 6's. It might be a few more $ upfront, but it's worth it in the long run when you look at performance, resale, how much you're going to spend paying for bravo's and boat/drive upgrades (not to mention missing the planned event as you're limping back home with yet another trashed bravo).

IMO, if at all possible do it right the first time and save yourself the money and headaches in the long run.

not sure i agree with the underlined qoute above. the only #6 boats that are available are either big power new boats, or old re-done boats. in either case the owner is usually completely upside down on the "investment". my point is these boats go for substantially more money than the average bravo boat. not just a few dollars.

02-26-2014, 05:02 PM

#17

JRider

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Quote:

Originally Posted by baja27

The cost upkeep on a 6 is big dollar, gears, gimbals, transmissions etc

Compared to blowing bravos? I'll take my chances with 6 drives

the cost of upkeep? Like changing fluids? That's cheap compared to changing bravos.

02-26-2014, 05:43 PM

#18

88bullet

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JRider

Compared to blowing bravos? I'll take my chances with 6 drives

the cost of upkeep? Like changing fluids? That's cheap compared to changing bravos.

Ive been told by many reputable drive builders that every 250 hours 6's should be rebuilt regardless of power in front of them. A friend splattered a pr of 6's behind Merc 600's. The estimates to get them fixed made your stomach churn.