I have to remove my Sportmaster lower from a Bravo XR upper to have the skeg repaired. Two questions: How many bolts hold the lower to the upper, and can I remove the lower while the upper is still attached to the boat? Appreciate the guidance!

Drain oil then remove 6- 5/8 nuts. Its a fairly basic job. Don't drop the unit after you take off the last not.

There’s 6 5/8 nuts, and no zinc plate on a sportmaster.

I found four of the six 5/8 bolts are the remaining two near the front of the unit facing upward? Thanks, Auto machinic....lol

yes

Thank you- the good advice helped.

yes, 2 are pointed up, towards the front. A little hard to see if the drive is installed and trim rams are in the way

I found by lifting the drive up the trim rams move out off the way enough to access these upward facing bolts.
Did have another Question about the sleeve that couples the two shafts together, can this be installed in any direction?
Thanks

For a bravo, Xr, sportmaster or imco sc yes coupler can go either way.

Thank you!