Yup, 80 any day of the week running a 5 blade prop.
Faster when he runs his 3 blade.
And even faster when he trys the 3 blade that BBlades is working for me right now...:D

...You make a good point about 550 w/454 vs. 550 w/502. maybe the right question is what torque is needed to reach 80...

Regarding drives, can an XR directly replace a B1? Is the X, bolt pattern, etc... the same? I think for me until I get more experience, I'd better do something with the drive. I have no idea on how many hours are on it and what kind of shape its in internally. I'd hate to spend the money and time on the engine and pop the drive on first launch.

Not trying to rain on your parade, even though i might be.
I've just done it already, and i believe i did it right.
The boat is on its second owner since me.
From what i know, neither have had any problems w/ the engine or drive. OK... ernie had a prob w/ the water pump.:rolleyes: just keepin it real.

And yes, if you care for your bravo, you should be fine.
I upgraded cuz if it blew, i'd never hear the end of it from the mrs.. so it was cheap insurance.

Rob, I can do better than $5,500 on my 525 and you'd be able to recoup some of the cost by selling off the motor you have now (thanks for the plug Stormrider!). The thing runs good, but it's not the right motor for me. I have the opportunity to run for extended periods of time at WOT with that motor (based on the mid 60's speed it will push my 28). So I decided to get something with a bit more heat so that I can run 65 further down in the RPM range. The 525 was perfect for the rivers and lakes that Griff ran it on.

As I recall, when Ironman had 500+ hp in my old 24 (now Bouyhunter's boat) and I thought it ran real close to 80 on Lake George. I'm guessing that running a stock bravo with 550 to 600 hp shouldn't be a problem. The boats are so light compared to a 28 and there are guys running near a thousand hp that aren't having any trouble with a bravo.

Just have the drive gone through, and learn how to properly take care of it.
There are a few here i'd listen too.
Like those running 900+hp w/ bravos having luck. ;)

Really?? That makes me feel a little better about my Bravo. But I think its worth checking out the parts on it.

I'm not married yet... but its coming. So at least for the moment I'm my own boss... LOL.

Yah, sorry I definately think you should go through it and make sure everything is in order. I'm doing the same with my Imco.

My advice on the married thing is to use a trick play... Blow $70 or $80k on a race car first that you never use... that way when you drop $10k or $20k on a boat that you both use all the time it will seem totally reasonable to her! :D :D :D

Well, it depends on the hp vs. rpm ;) but yes generally that is correct!

Then that means my gear ratio is going to mean a little on top speed too. Another reason to tear apart. i don't know $hit from apple butter, when it comes to my drive.

...not a bad plan. My strategy was to build a new house to appease, ...but little harder on the pocket book though.