Just curious if anyone has had many drive issues with Bravo 1, X, XZ drive behind their 353?

Upgrading the motors this winter to 500 efi’s, not sure if I need to goto XR’s (don't like that they are 2-3 mph slower and maybe not anymore reliable).

Blew a drive on my stock 502’s on an anchor line, so when I buy one an X upper or would need to buy 2 XR’s.

Many that I have discussed this with believe th X to be the better choice. The 1 inch lower shaft may also prevent upper failure in the event of a grounding or crab pot entanglement. My dealer talked me out of buying an XR even though he made less money. I don’t have a 353 unfortunately, so I can’t say how performance will change but I would be surprised if there was much difference.

There are a pair of BravoX’s in the swap shop that just came up.

Thx,

Saw the X's. Nice option for sure.

Have lines on fresh, freshwater XR's locally or XZ's out of state too.

I like the idea of the lower being the weak link, I just don't like weak links - lol


Thx for the input, trying to take it all in. Lots of good but different philosophies on how to go

If you are talking stock 500 efi's or the like, any of the bravo drives are fine, providing you aren't a wild man at the helm.

At that power level I would take the XZ's day and night over the XR's.

Agree with bill930, I think you're way over thinking this, I'm running XR's with way more power than the 500's will produce.....tic tock tic tock........

Going with XZ's. Wanted to thank everyone for the great input, I know over the years there has always been a great debate - glad its gotten simpler - LOL

BTW: What did 353's ship with prop-wise behind 500 efi's. Currently running Bravo 1 28's

Eric, pretty sure with XZs they came with labbed 30 pitch from the factory. My 05 with XRs came with 26 pitch 5 blades, and I have since switched to standard 30 pitch bravos.

-Dave

What he said. XZs are the best way for you to go.