Australia

Hey all,
We've got a 2008 38ZR with 525s and XR drives.

FYI our port engine is is the forward engine and the starboard is set back. I am not sure why this swapped over, I've seen older boats are staggered opposite.

I've heard the weak link in the setup is the gimbal bearings.

Is there any good source of information about on the forums explaining what modifications to do to get the reliability sorted out with these?

I've tried searching with no luck.

Thanks !!

thirdchildhood

iTrader: (6)

I'm certainly not the expert on your set-up but I think that stock XRs should hold up pretty well behind stock 525s as long as you do the basic stuff like easy hole shots, throttling back when air born and changing the oil regularly. I have a single 525/XR on my Donzi and I pull the drive once a year to check the gimbal bearing and u-joints and drive alignment and change the oil.

Tom A.

I agree, the Xr's should hold up well if not beat on as stated above. If you start beefing up one area, it will make other areas the weaker link.
My understanding of which way they staggered the engines was based on balance of the boat.

Elite Marine

Cryo the gear sets and you'll be close to bullet proof with 525's

thirdchildhood

iTrader: (6)

BTW, it's always nice to hear from a fellow boater from another part of the world!

Australia

hey everyone. thanks for all the responses. Its good news to hear they are a good match. I'm never sure what to believe on the forums. This has been the best source of info for me.

Its summer here now. The weather is starting to come good again. We've got the only 38 ZR in the country. We love it. Great boats hey.

MarkDonzi

I got 200 hrs on my 525 boat xr's until rebuild, 100 hrs on my 600 boat and broke both of them.

Australia

Hey MarkDonzi, did the drives fail on the 525s or was the rebuild preventative?
Also, what is involved in a rebuild if you don't mind me asking?

40gt

For improvements - I suggest you search here on OSO a little more. There is heaps on bravo drive improvements, including XRs. Names like X-mod, Bravo Shop, All American Drive come immediately to mind. There are many more. Also go to their web pages and research more. That's what I did. You can also download a copy the #28 Bravo Service manual off the internet for free and decide if you want to try to tackle the work yourself since your in Aussie . Try a seach for
#28 - MerCruiser Bravo Outdrives (2001 - present) Service Manual max

40gt

Also read .............
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...-question.html