bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Arneson has a bravo to surface conversion including trans and box so no relocating engine .Anybody have any experience? Price? I am in that 700 hp range that doesnt warrent a # 6 but tired of eating Bravos.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

I think the price is around 16k. Do a search, there have been a few threads on this.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Powerboat mag did an article on a guy who owned a 382 Fastech and I think he spent around 50k by the time it was all finished.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

yeah but it works real good,, they and its beutifully done,
seatons marine did the work,,
contact rick with anreson..
i think steve had a thread here on oso when he was doing it. do a search,

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Just buy another boat :cool:

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Typhoon Marine in Brick, NJ did the work
Talk to Steve Sizebottom

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

give john at superbaot a call before you do a conversion like that and get his input on how it will run.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

that is assuming you are doign the conversionon a super boat , i had asusmed you were becaue you haeva superbaot icon

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

They cost between 16K and 16.5K per side depending upon your power with a one year warranty.

The 50K'ish was for the engine rebuild and the drives. We had nothing to do with the engine rebuild as the engines were tired before the conversion and it was good timing to do the conversion when the engines were already going to be out of the boat.

Don’t let people pressure your decision one way or the other. You can spend your $ maintaining the problematic situation or do something about it.

The resale aspect that everyone attempts to hang onto is no longer valid as the drives are very well accepted and the value of a boat with a known weak link in less than it is with a known strong link. While you might decide the conversion might not be for you, know that the boat is not worth that much broken down all the time either.

Speak with Hustler Power Boats. They purchase quite a few of these units and they have all been very successful with a wide range of power options.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

heres the thread

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=78420

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Does anyone know what kind of performance increase would be seen in converting from the Bravo to The surface drive setups. Local guy here had a 42' Fountain with Triples and the Surface drives. Don't know what it had for power other than it sounded wicked and have only seen him idling around the beach. Just curious if they are any faster?

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Jim With The Arneson You Will More Than Likely Have To Fill In The Notch In The Transom.and So Real Time To Dial In?sell All Your Bravo Stuff And Go For It.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

First time on here.

I did a custom install of the Arneson conversion kits to a brand new Eliminator Daytona 30. This boat was brand new, never rigged.
The mounts were a bit of work but the end result is absolutely a work of art both cosmetically and in performance.

Handling, speed and general driveability were terrific. This boat ran a pair of 9:1 comp. naturally aspirated 555's with approx. 775hp at 6800 rpm.
We were still experimenting with props but saw an easy 119 mph at less than full throttle.( by approx 600rpm)

Our season is over for now but I will bring more data to the board here next spring.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Arneson drive setup and releived that I will no longer be replacing broken bravo drives. Not only is it expensive when they break but a major let down when you are on holidays with no boat to play with.
Any specific questions, please reply and I will offer what help or info. I can

The support from Rik and Arneson is top notch and they take a personal interest when you have some quetions or problems to be solved.

I cant wait until spring, Whipple 3.3's may be next on the plan!

Ted

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Ted,wheres the pics??Smitty

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Hey Smitty

My mechanic/rigger friend is working away from town for a while. He has volumes of step by step install pics. I have a few of the transom and Tie bar setup which I am sending to Rik tomorrow. He will be able to post them I think. My pics are not e picks but are 35mm and I cant scan and post.

Soon,
Ted

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

RIK, Does the $16-16,500 include props? and do you run w/wo boxes, (382 Fastech)

What are HP limitations?

thanks,

KL

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Ca Formula, I did the conversion on the 382 that was in powerboat mag. Call me if you have any questions about the conversion. Where are you located? Come by and we'll take you for a ride! 925-516-7678. Thanks, Steve Seaton

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Unfortunately, the price of the drives does not include propellers. You can ask "Offduty" about the performance and such as he has first had experience with the same boat as yours.

What size power do you want to upgrade to?

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

running GT 1100's (quad whipple) B-Max drives w/Imco lower shafts...obvious week link here is lower units...I just bought the boat..motors and drives are near new...I have put 7 hrs approx 15 hrs total? I have been told to change lower unit bearings at 50 hrs. (providing they live that long) for now I plan to take it easy??

they onlt make 1100 if you push the sticks all the way forward

but being realistic I will most likly have to change the set up in the future.

I would like to some day hook up and check out the Arneson's

We are located in Long Beach area

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

I am going to make this a winter project , converting 30y2k superboat (single engine 30 ft narrow beam P4 race boat) from bravo to arneson . I will post my progress. So far Rik from arneson has been great help ( even though I bought used equipment from someone else!)
I have a fresh bravo xr (no hours on an MRD rebuild including gimble rebuild)and complete transom set up for sale! anybody interested? send a pm
Jim Capie JESSIE JAMES P4-30

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Rik is the man to talk to for anything Arneson related since he is Arneson. Drives, parts, service and he can field any questions you can throw at him. Rik has always responded quickly and correctly.

700's are way too much for Bravos. That may be why Merc changed their engine package back to 525's away form the 575's. On my CIg I have Bravos and 600SC's and without even running hard you can twist a prop shaft and have other hidden serious damage.

Below is a pic of my CAT. The bonus is you not only get the performance and the rooster tail. The Arneson's are bullet proof.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Is that cat a Talon 37ft, what power?

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Ca Formula, Whats your speed with bravos? We had Teague 800's and bravo XRs on extension boxes with 1.35 gear ratio and 28 bravo 4 blades turning in at 5900 rpm. 98 to 100 GPS. Converted to Arensons 1.32 Ratio 16.75 x 29 5 blade Herings turning in. 104 to 106 but faster with 17 x 31 4 blade Merc props. Same engines but boat accelerates like you added 400 hp with the Arensons. Owner loves the Arensons and will never buy a Bravo again. Send me a e-mail and I'll send you pics of conversion [email protected]

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

It's a damned shame that the surface drive system never got to really competitive price realm. The theory and performance short term and long term cost are so much better than the old standby outdrive. Maybe Konrad can expand line and make a surface drive at competitive or at least more reasonable price. Maybe if boat manufacturers (and buyers) demanded new technology economies of scale would kick in and bring prices down.

Until that happens the 3X$ per drive differential will keep all surface drives in category of specialties. I just had to replace my TRS drives but couldn't step up to base cost and engineering challenges on top of that---damn the luck.

Cuda has the neatest, most fun seeming boat I've ever lusted after. The only other alternative is a Magnum and they are over priced and over complicated as well

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

39 Ocean Express 1000's and Arneson 8's.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Once on plane acceleration with the arneson's and 5 blade Rollas 17.5 x 32 you are literally thrown back in the seat. Turned 118.2 at 5500 rpm with red line at 6000.

My 8's are not trimable so we have them tucked in just a little for various water conditions. Improves the ride on rough water but looses top end on smooth water.

Only have smooth water when in Fort Myers.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Very similar numbers 1.30, boxes, w/28" B1's...5900-6000 @100 gps out of prop at that point...pulls to 100 pretty easy. Tach's are a little suspect??..engines have not been lake tuned (dyno only) this will happen possibly next week?
seem to be under proped ..but best for now to keep load down on drives as much as possible. I am really impressed at the stability of the boat at the higher speeds. This conversion really sounds like it may be the ticket....
I would guess I could sell these near new B-Max's for a few bucks??
I think they are pretty stout up to about 850 HP?? Thats what the warranty is based on.

I recall your boat from Havasu Poker run a few years back..still had bravos..I think you broke one that week end...very impressive rigging, engine set up, etc.

I would like to see the pic' s of conversion.

Thanks,

[email protected]
Kevin Laney (562) 254-6185

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Hey Steve, I think Craig's ready to go on the Arnesons for his Cig. All he needs is a little push.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Has anybody heard much about the Pulse drives?? Trimable surface drive with platform above it- 650hp and under sells for 10,500 plus prop, and next size up is 4,000 more which I guess is getting near Arneson price.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

imongo in eth board converted a 35 cig to pules drives.

I like the arneson better than the pulse. No goofylooking platform or rudder.

as for price of ASD vs. bravo if you are popping bravos its WAY cheaper to buy an ASD. At 15 for the kit the price isnt; bad. It compe siwtha a TRICK custom machined extension box and thedrive itself. Price out a new bravo and extension box and see how much it costs.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Smitty,
I finally have some shots taken over at Arneson's the other day. Rik will post when he downloads them.
I had the boat over for some service by Rik and everything is looking good and ready to go fast.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Hi ..........i am totally new to this ,just joined yesterday and cant stuck myself from the screen..... the amazing amount of useful information one can acheive is simply amazing.. what a pity i did not know about this forum before,,,, Anyway !! ! ! ! ! :D I got a query myself ........ i got a deep vee offshore powerboat hull 30 footer , 8 feet max beam with 22 degres deadrise ..with a constant of 40...( not so bad when u consider that a world sped record holder Fountain has a constant of 52 ).... the hull has no step and no notched transom.. i was considering to modify one thing at a time,, first a notched transom ( as a power i am goin to use a Mercruiser 525 ) ....as a drive probably an XR or a bravo 1 X... the query i have is what height and what lenght should the notched transom be?????? i would be more than happy to give you more info.... thanks in advance .. Clyde from Malta

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Great reading, I really like the Arneson conversion, as well as putting these bad boys on new boats. Rik is a good guy and will give you honest info on set up. I just wish more people would use these on V bottoms.

Express cat 39 always liked your set up, grat lookin boat.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

You want something like this? 32' B Skater quarter canopies with 496 Merc. engines. First time in the water, two people, 3/4 fuel... 105 on the bump box.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

On my way to Key west, i saw an OE with Trip Arnesons on it. Expresscat, was that you? Looked like a really cool setup.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

If it was a triple engine cat it would have to be a 48' rather than the 39 that Dennis has.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

I highly recommend the ASD6 for your installation. You will definitely be satisfied with them over Bravos. I recently spoke to Rik Wimp at Arneson on one for my 27' Magnum that I'm re-powering with a single MV10-625 Ilmor. He is definitely the man to talk to. He quoted me a price of $16,500 and sent me installation drawings within hours of our conversation. He is Arnesons expert, and a great guy to deal with.

I won't be working on my project for a few months, and would appreciate it if you kept me posted on your installation. Tony :cool:

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

I like Arneson's espcially the boat Mr. Arneson has with a pair of Lycoming's ...I do not know why but Arneson and Lycomings on a cat appeal to me. Must be the roostertail and the GPS readings...or the fact that only ester synthetic oil can be used in a turbine? :D

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

We only have a single engine in the 46.

Re: bravo to arneson surface conv.
 

Love that boat. Was in one of my engineering mags.