No worries - and I absolutely agree with your comment on not being a direct bolt-on conversion.

There is no such thing as plug and play in this industry.....like Tibbstoy2 mentioned "the end result is worth the changes". For us the docking and steering were also greatly improved but the piece of mind not having to worry about when the drive is going to come apart is priceless.

We started our second conversion last week. Though not required we are starting with a clean slate.

Yeah - the docking thing is worth noting too... the BAM transmissions making the actual thrust happen a lot quicker than bravo's... (bravo's have a delay because of the way the clutch works). I've found that back up thrust is a bit different with the cleaver props, but that's not an Arneson thing, just an SSM propeller characteristic.

Wholeheartedly agree with Brian on not worrying about failures... I remember checking XR/XZ/IMCO SC drive magnets after every ride hoping to run the boat another day without pulling the prop shafts out... makes me want to throw up just recalling it.

How do those exhaust tips work for you? I was thinking about trying to fabricate something similar to divert exhaust under water, like a turn-down. But still want the option to go loud if I want.

My bad....they sure do make it sound very simple on the site:
http://new.arneson-industries.com/bravo-conversion

I love them... I used to have CMI sound elimination system mufflers and they were pretty good, but they wore out! CMI didn't design them with rebuildable bushings... so over time, they just rattled all the stainless steel slots loose... We fabricated these by laser cutting stainless sheet, rolled them and welded them up. We welded in the pin supports (so that the pin's not riding on the stainless wall) and added room for bronze bushings.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...thmufflers.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...no/closeup.JPG

The other thing that worked out well was making sure the flapper sealed just off vertical (so the plate is more of an oval than round) - making it self-stop when it's tight.

For me, it's the only way to have dry exhaust to the tip to avoid reversion and still have the silent choice effect. The boat is a real sleeper in the channels. The beginning of this video gives an idea:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/115888891526496766471/albums/6039576953672683329/6039576953716231154

Looks like a 38' Top Gun!!

I agree Chris, great people

So 50K in parts from you, then props and the all important rigging/labor.......