Bravo 3

[parker guy]

Does anyone have one on there boat ? Do you like it?

 

[RodnJen]

I do and yes I do like it. Although in all fairness, this is the first outrive boat I have ever owned so I don't have much to compare it to. It does handle very well at all speeds. Some say you give up a few MPH but that doesn't really matter to me. It responds very well to trim and carries passenger weight just fine without trim tabs.

It's on 21' Essex with the 6.2 mpi. Boat weights about 2,900 lbs dry. I would buy one again for this type of family boat.

 

[Ziggy]

Was gonna say, pretty much any Essex owner can help you.

 

[RiverDave]

Essex was the only mfg in my opinion that really embraced the idea of a B3 on a smaller Vee Bottom.. They work extremely well because there is a lot more "leverage" with the drive that helps to carry the nose across chop, or bury the nose across chop etc..

The downside to them is the prop selection is limited, and the props are expensive as hell. If you bang a drive it gets uber expensive, and other things associated with having dual props and one hollow prop shaft. Just more money wrapped up in the lower as a whole.

RD

 

[outboardrick]

I have one on the Toon and it's perfect for the application. I'm sure they work equally as well on many hulls and I'm not sure why more manufacturers don't install them.

 

[chaser]

I have 1 in my cobalt 240, 496 mag, it runs about,56, 57 mph. Great around the docks for handling.

 

[Beerme]

We have one on our Eliminator Fundeck. 496 HO......It's a 2005 and we bought it new. Knock on wood, never had a problem. Helps us out of the hole, especially loaded down, and also with us being underpowered.

 

[jack14r]

I have a bravo 3X on a Cobalt A25 with a 8.2 with the Whipple stage 2 ECM upgrade,it is amazing out of the hole with a 1.81 ratio with a 22.5 front prop and a 24 rear prop,it runs 58 MPH at 5200-5300 RPM.My kids load up the boat and ski and board it is so good with the Whipple stage 2 that it is a totally different boat than the boat I purchased.I have heard that it is very difficult to get a Bravo 3 to run in the mid 60s as there is just too much drag.

 

[parker guy]

Thanks,I'm looking at a 255 Hallett with a 496 ho and a Bravo 3.

 

[RodnJen]

Essex was the only mfg in my opinion that really embraced the idea of a B3 on a smaller Vee Bottom.. They work extremely well because there is a lot more "leverage" with the drive that helps to carry the nose across chop, or bury the nose across chop etc..

The downside to them is the prop selection is limited, and the props are expensive as hell. If you bang a drive it gets uber expensive, and other things associated with having dual props and one hollow prop shaft. Just more money wrapped up in the lower as a whole.

RD

What he said. I've been running the same drive and original props since new, 12 years now. There are not a lot of prop options but I honestly don't know why you would need any. I've been thinking about trying the Hill props for the B3 but that is an expensive experiment.

Thanks,I'm looking at a 255 Hallett with a 496 ho and a Bravo 3.

I would think that would serve you well. Good luck.

 

[riverbrian]

Yes, and yes.

Makes a heavy boat get out of the hole. Solid as a rock.

I have a set of 24p xr props I need to sell.

 

[BajaMike]

I have a bravo 3X on a Cobalt A25 with a 8.2 with the Whipple stage 2 ECM upgrade,it is amazing out of the hole with a 1.81 ratio with a 22.5 front prop and a 24 rear prop,it runs 58 MPH at 5200-5300 RPM.My kids load up the boat and ski and board it is so good with the Whipple stage 2 that it is a totally different boat than the boat I purchased.I have heard that it is very difficult to get a Bravo 3 to run in the mid 60s as there is just too much drag.

I don't understand.....is it normal to have different pitched props??

 

[BHC Vic]

I have a bravo 3X on a Cobalt A25 with a 8.2 with the Whipple stage 2 ECM upgrade,it is amazing out of the hole with a 1.81 ratio with a 22.5 front prop and a 24 rear prop,it runs 58 MPH at 5200-5300 RPM.My kids load up the boat and ski and board it is so good with the Whipple stage 2 that it is a totally different boat than the boat I purchased.I have heard that it is very difficult to get a Bravo 3 to run in the mid 60s as there is just too much drag.

Any issues w the tune? I want to do it this winter

 

[FreeBird236]

B3's are quite strong, get heavy boats moving and on plane faster, more efficient in the midrange, and have a little less top end. I'm thinking maybe the original owner was into water sports and also trying to get better mileage in the midrange.

 

[charlyox]

I have an ESSEX Vortex with a 496 H.O. and a Brovo III. It came with 28 pitch props. It would get up in the low 70's. I bought a pair of 26 pitch props on EBAY for $300. A smoking deal. Now it will run in the high 50's but it gets up on plane a lot faster. Since I do most of my boating on the river the 26's work great. For next years Dam2Dam run I will be running the 28's. The Brovo III's also handle better in a no wake zone. RD and I were going thru the keys and I said you drive because I had never driven in there before. He commented on how well it handled, not so much zig-zagging back and forth. A charisteric of the B-3.

 

[ToMorrow44]

We had one on a 96 23' Warlock with a 454 mag efi. Boat is owned by a friend now, never had any problem, very smooth and well handling. Only downside is prop selection and strength if you want big power, but for a stock power boat they're great.

 

[Deja_Vu]

Like everyone is saying the B3 gets you on plane faster and less torque steer in the no wake zone.

We are approaching 500 hours on our 454 Mercruiser with the Bravo 3. Never had an issue with the drive. (Knock on wood)
I am running 26P and our 4000lb sled tops out at around 50ish GPS with good low end power for water skiing and tubing.

Like RD says, since we have two props to foul, we keep an eye on the water depths, paying close attention to lighter colors to indicate shallows.

 

[parker guy]

Like everyone is saying the B3 gets you on plane faster and less torque steer in the no wake zone.

We are approaching 500 hours on our 454 Mercruiser with the Bravo 3. Never had an issue with the drive. (Knock on wood)
I am running 26P and our 4000lb sled tops out at around 50ish GPS with good low end power for water skiing and tubing.

Like RD says, since we have two props to foul, we keep an eye on the water depths, paying close attention to lighter colors to indicate shallows.

THANKS

 

[Runs2rch]

Thanks,I'm looking at a 255 Hallett with a 496 ho and a Bravo 3.

This boat will be way more fun to drive with a bravo one.

 

[Deja_Vu]

This boat will be way more fun to drive with a bravo one.

How so?
I would guess it would have less of a holeshot and be a bit faster on the top, but not sure why it would be "way more" fun.

 

[RiverDave]

This boat will be way more fun to drive with a bravo one.

I disagree.. It will turn better, ride better, plane faster, with a B3.. It will just be a couple mph slower.

RD

 

[Runs2rch]

How so?
I would guess it would have less of a holeshot and be a bit faster on the top, but not sure why it would be "way more" fun.

I should have said funner hahaha. Bravo 3 drives give more hole shot yes. On this boat a properly propped Bravo one will not be far off. As others have said drag. This is a high 60 to maybe 70mph boat with the 496ho. High 50's with a Bravo 3. Why give up all of that mph and cruise speed?

 

[Runs2rch]

I disagree.. It will turn better, ride better, plane faster, with a B3.. It will just be a couple mph slower.

RD

I see your points. You rode and drove 2FF's 24 with the 525 right?

 

[RiverDave]

I see your points. You rode and drove 2FF's 24 with the 525 right?

Yep..

Also been in a 24 with a bravo 3..

If it's propped right you only lose about 2 mph.. Not 10

 

[Hallett285]

We have a b3 on ours and works great.. real smooth.......

 

[Runs2rch]

Yep..

Also been in a 24 with a bravo 3..

If it's propped right you only lose about 2 mph.. Not 10

A 525 equipped 240 will run right on 80mph propped right with a B1. You really believe the B3 will run 78?