Ok, It started with an 88 Chris Craft 245 limited with an alpha drive which I blew many times (drive). I was uninformed when I bought it so that was my fault.

Then came my current 85 312 stinger with TRS drives, hearing a ton of good and bad I have decided to get a boat with Bravos. (Plus it need motors)

Well, I'm supposed to pick this boat up tomm. and now all I'm reading today is failures with the early bravos. (88 fountain w/ 330-454s).

I'm getting tired of never having the ability to enjoy boating. It seems there is always something on the horizon ready to break. Before these drives go, what would I need to buy to prevent failures of these 88's? Sorry for the rant, it just seems I never make the right decisions.

I had a pair of bravos on a 1990 Sonic. Motors putting out around 600hp each. Never had a drive problem.

If you buy the boat have a reputable bravo mechanic go throught the drives. Better yet have the boat surveyed before you buy it. It is almost 20 yrs old and is going to need work regardless. Ever hear of Pandora's Box??

I am running a 1991 brovo with 500hp and no problems so far.I would not worry to much about the drives if they check out and are on stock power. But if you are still worried contact articfriends and have him do his magic on your gears.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...t=articfriends

I can solve your drive problem....buy a sailboat!

with 330's just have them opened up and inspected by a reputable dealer. They should be fine as long as they are serviced annually.

The survey is tomm @ 8 in the morning, Its a two hour drive. So if everything works out I plan on bringing it back that evening. I just wasn't sure if "this" year is the one that had the oiling problem I hear about. Thanks for the input.