What is the most " safe" power you can put through an alpha drive? I am planning an engine project this winter looking at 400/425 is in the power range.Will the alpha last at all with that? I don't club the boat out of the hole and watch out of water throttle,I don't have the extra cash this year for a bravo drive so I am trying to find out if I can go a season or two with the alpha if I am careful.I have gotten alot of mixed opinions on this,any help would be great.Thanks....

Dont Think A Bravo Could Handle 425hp... Lol

What can a alpha handle?

I believe the alpha was built for about 300 hp. Seen alot of big block boats run alpha's and survive. Just gotta know how to run them. I run a small block chevy into a alpha drive. the motor is around 550 hp @ 6000 rpm. I use a sirmek drive shower and am nice to it. Still survives Boat is 18.5' at 3000 lbs.

A buddy had a healthy 406 sbc (upper 400's hp) in a 20' Rinker bowrider for 3 years. Not real gentle since he was a skier and did deep water slalom starts at WOT. Boat was fairly light and had a Simrek shower and no problems.
A lot does have to do with the way you drive and the weight of the boat. My advice is no straight arm holeshots and watch catching too much air , those re-entries can be hell on the parts .

had 23' wellcraft Nova 1 (bought new in 86 sold in 05) with 454 alpha 1:32 gear set. 1st 5 years stock, last 13 years rebuilt with crane cam, edelbrock heads w/intake, holley 810, cmi's + nose cone drive shower-never full throttle @ start, tried not to fly at in SF bay, many wot runs and never a problem-great drives if your not a maniac.

-be gentle and mature
-use synthetic(change often)
-use drive shower
-prop correctly with 3 blade

small block with under 5200 rpm should live long.

go for it and enjoy

So if I am nice to it,it should not break that easy?I was told by some that it would break very easy,you guys helped my confidence somewhat,I know not to club the hell out of it so we will see how it goes.Thanks.

Boat wieght has alot to do with it......yours is a pretty heavy boat compared to something like Travis's combo with a single........mines a 29 (or 27 ) but I have twins........Put a Simrek drive shower on it......change oil often......I know a guy who has a 32 Pachanga with twin 330 big blocks and alphas......boat is an 87......get it up on plane then you can hammer it is his motto......been working since 87......just reg maint

My boat is supposedly 3750lbs,basically I just need to watch how I beat on it for now.

My boat is close to yours it`s a Formula 242 with a BBC with the Alpha 1.5 ratio, my engine hp is 350. The boat weights about 4200 plus 100 gal fuel. I think you will be fine just baby it nothing stupid our you will pay