Comments on: Mercruiser Bravo III (3) Overview, Review, and Photo Diagrams http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88 Too Much Fun in the NW Florida Sun! Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:41:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: jorge aguilar http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-56990 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:45:38 +0000 http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-56990 Will I gain speed if I convert my 25ft sea vee straight inboard ? To a bravo III with jack shaft. Powered with a 454 commander and a borge warner 1.5 tranny. Looking to get 40mph cruising at 3200-3500 rpms. Getting 1.7-1.8 miles per gal. What are to pros and cons ???? Will I gain speed if I convert my 25ft sea vee straight inboard ?
To a bravo III with jack shaft.
Powered with a 454 commander and a borge warner 1.5 tranny.
Looking to get 40mph cruising at 3200-3500 rpms.
Getting 1.7-1.8 miles per gal.
What are to pros and cons ????

]]> by: vzett http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-18220 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:43:32 +0000 http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-18220 Another good reference: http://www.mercstuff.com/mercathodetest.htm Another good reference:
http://www.mercstuff.com/mercathodetest.htm

]]> by: vzett http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-18219 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 23:42:11 +0000 http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-18219 Haul out time will vary considerably depending on the local salinity of the water (or mineral content in fresh water). Be very careful if the boat is hooked into shore power as stray current from other boats via bad grounds can destroy a BIII very quickly. Boat Zincs (http://boatzincs.com/corrosion-reference-electrode-specs.html) has a tester. And this link describes the official procedure: http://marinemechanic.com/site/page200.html I'm fortunate to be able to keep our boat in a lift which allows me the performance of the I/O without the upkeep of in-water storage. Haul out time will vary considerably depending on the local salinity of the water (or mineral content in fresh water). Be very careful if the boat is hooked into shore power as stray current from other boats via bad grounds can destroy a BIII very quickly.

Boat Zincs (http://boatzincs.com/corrosion-reference-electrode-specs.html) has a tester. And this link describes the official procedure: http://marinemechanic.com/site/page200.html

I’m fortunate to be able to keep our boat in a lift which allows me the performance of the I/O without the upkeep of in-water storage.

]]> by: Gerry http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-18211 Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:02:43 +0000 http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-18211 I have no idea, but am going to learn. It wasn't in previous years by the last owner. I'm having it checked every year. We plan to haul and store it in our yard from late December until early April or May. So, I guess that's almost 7 months in the water. Our mechanic says it'll be less coslty to maintain going forward now that we have done the catch up this year. I'll be spending the day with him in January when he works on cleaning and refinishing the out drive for the 2008 season so I can do it myself the next year. I have no idea, but am going to learn.

It wasn’t in previous years by the last owner. I’m having it checked every year.

We plan to haul and store it in our yard from late December until early April or May. So, I guess that’s almost 7 months in the water. Our mechanic says it’ll be less coslty to maintain going forward now that we have done the catch up this year.

I’ll be spending the day with him in January when he works on cleaning and refinishing the out drive for the 2008 season so I can do it myself the next year.

]]> by: Joe http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-14210 Wed, 16 May 2007 19:57:48 +0000 http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-14210 Great info. Specifically, HOW is the mercathode system checked, how regularly, and, how long can a bravo 3 system be left in a salt water environment before haul out and cleaning? Great info. Specifically, HOW is the mercathode system checked, how regularly, and, how long can a bravo 3 system be left in a salt water environment before haul out and cleaning?

]]> by: Gerry http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-6488 Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:53:38 +0000 http://destinsharks.com/photo-and-video/88#comment-6488 Great article. We bought a Regal 2465 with a Merc Bravo 3 which works great. Problem is, we live in Bermuda which is humid all the time and the boat is always in the water (Sea water). We bought it second hand, and are now finding out the previous owner painted the gimbal ring and housing with anti-foul. Long story short, there is wicked corrosion and have to replace the gimbal ring... Ouch. About $1,600 for the part and associated gear including shipping and duty. Not to mention shop hours. Awesome boat but in hind sight I'd agree with you and hesitate to buy the same for our climate/ conditions again. If Merc ever wants to test their products to the limits, they should think of Bermuda. The painting of the drive was a prior owner's mistake and the drive would have faired much longer without the blunder; we'll see if our opinion of the drive changes in 2008 when we haul it to look at the gear again. Cheers, Gerry Great article. We bought a Regal 2465 with a Merc Bravo 3 which works great. Problem is, we live in Bermuda which is humid all the time and the boat is always in the water (Sea water). We bought it second hand, and are now finding out the previous owner painted the gimbal ring and housing with anti-foul. Long story short, there is wicked corrosion and have to replace the gimbal ring… Ouch. About $1,600 for the part and associated gear including shipping and duty. Not to mention shop hours.

Awesome boat but in hind sight I’d agree with you and hesitate to buy the same for our climate/ conditions again. If Merc ever wants to test their products to the limits, they should think of Bermuda. The painting of the drive was a prior owner’s mistake and the drive would have faired much longer without the blunder; we’ll see if our opinion of the drive changes in 2008 when we haul it to look at the gear again.

Cheers,

Gerry

]]>