anybody have experience with running a bravo with side water pickups vs the low water pickups on a 85 mph+ v bottom? I have heard the the low water pickup will rob 1-2 mph!

I tested the theory last year.

I ran the boat wtih the low waters,
got noted max GPS speed.
Then hauled out boat, swapped drives
to side p/u, ran again ( about an hour and a half
later, identical conditons) ran boat, note
max GPS speed.

The side water p/u's were 1.4 mph faster.

This was in the low 80 mph range.


jt

thanks for the info, I was considering buying a brand new bravo with the low water pickup but am having second thoughts now. I have spent way too much money trying to faster and sure dont want to spend more money to go slower!

jt

Any change in the engine water temp when you went to the side p/u?

No difference noted.


jt

I suspect that water pressure may be a factor in the speed. In theory anyway, the increase in water flowing through the engine may be restricting the exhaust?

the answer I got was that the water inlet holes are so big that they disrupt the flow of water to the prop.