Bravo

Can I convert my single-prop Bravo to a dual-prop setup?

Yes, that's possible. The decision you have to make first is what overall gear ratio you want, since that determines which upper and lower combination you need - and it's the part we can't advise on. Check with your boat builder what ratio they'd have specified for a dual-prop drive on your hull, then come back to us with that.

Can I replace my Bravo Two with a Bravo One?

We wouldn't recommend it. Bravo One lower units are limited to a 16-inch prop diameter, and if you're currently on a Bravo Two your prop is larger than that - the Bravo Two is a workboat-style drive designed to swing a bigger prop and move heavier boats. If you're coming off a Bravo Two, the Bravo Three (our SE121 upper with SE128 lower) is the swap we'd point you to instead, and it's a very common one.

Can I use your Bravo Three lower with my existing upper?

Usually yes, provided the ratio matches and your upper is new enough to have the oil recirculation hole. Send us the drive serial number and we'll confirm the ratio before you order, since the lower on its own doesn't tell us that. The lower doesn't include install hardware, anodes or gear lube.

Do I need my drive serial number to order a Bravo One lower?

For a Bravo One lower there's only one ratio, so the SE121 is correct regardless - the only thing we need to know is whether you have single (side only) or dual water intakes. Bravo Three is different: there the ratio matters enormously and we need the drive serial number or tooth counts from both halves.

Do you have a Bravo Three replacement that works behind a diesel engine?

Yes - we have customers running our Bravo Three behind diesel engines in the 300-plus horsepower range. As always, the part we can't help with is establishing the correct gear ratio for your particular boat and engine combination; the boat builder is the right source for that.

Do you make a replacement for a Bravo XR drive?

No. We didn't sell the XR version and we don't make a replacement for it. The Bravo lower units we make are the standard Bravo, rated at 425 HP, the same as the OEM units were. A boat running an XR is normally making well above that, so even where something bolted up it would be over our rating and would go out without warranty. If you're not certain which Bravo you've got, send us a photo or the drive serial number and we'll tell you - call or text 813-925-7127.

Do you make a replacement for a MerCruiser Bravo drive?

We make Bravo One and Bravo Three lowers and complete drives (and Bravo Two upper units). Which one you need comes down to prop count, spline count, gear ratio, and the drive's oil system - tell us your drive serial number and we'll pin down the exact Bravo replacement. Note we do not make a Bravo Two lower unit.

I have a Bravo Two - can I use a Bravo One or Bravo Three instead?

A Bravo One or Three will physically bolt up, but we can't promise how it will perform - the Bravo Two swings a larger-diameter prop to move heavier boats, so switching away from it usually hurts performance, and we won't warranty a non-matching application. It's best to stay with the drive your boat was set up for; call us to talk it through at 813-925-7127.

Should I switch from a Bravo Two to a Bravo Three?

It's a common and workable swap physically - all the Bravo transoms accept a Bravo One, Two or Three. The hard part is the gear ratio, and we genuinely can't advise on that: your boat builder chose the Bravo Two for a reason, and the right resource is to ask them what ratio they'd have used had they built it with a Bravo Three. Be aware a Bravo Three is a smaller drive that happens to carry two props, so on a heavy hull you may gain speed and economy but shorten its life - which is why we won't warranty a non-matching application. We'll happily sell you one if you decide to go that route.

What do I need to convert from an Alpha to a Bravo drive?

From us you'd get the transom assembly and the drive, plus the install kit. From elsewhere you'll need a propeller, an engine-mounted raw water pump - a Bravo has no pump in the drive - and a shift bracket to replace the Alpha shift bracket on the engine. There may be a few small items beyond that. Worth noting on horsepower: the Alpha was only ever rated to about 300 HP, so if you're running more than that, moving to a Bravo is the right call for longevity.

What do I need to convert from an OMC sterndrive to a Bravo?

It's a substantial job. Beyond the transom assembly and drive from us, you'd need the bellhousing on the back of the engine, the shift bracket on top of the engine, and the engine coupler. We'd strongly suggest investing in a Bravo OEM shop manual before taking it on. Also check the moisture content of the transom wood core first - there's no sense mounting a new assembly to a soft transom.

What horsepower are your Bravo drives rated for?

Our Bravo units are rated at 425 HP, the same as the OEM units were. If you're running more than that - a big stroker build, for instance - it's over our limit, so it would go out without warranty even though it may well hold up fine in practice. For comparison, the Alpha was only ever rated to around 300 HP, which is why we steer higher-output boats toward a Bravo.

What's involved in converting from an Alpha Gen I to a Bravo One?

You'd change the upper and lower, the transom assembly and the engine water pump, plus all the associated hardware - it's a substantial job rather than a drive swap. A Bravo will not simply bolt onto an Alpha transom. Call us at 813-925-7127 and we'll go through exactly what your setup would need.

What's involved in converting from an Alpha drive to a Bravo?

It's more than swapping the drive. You'd be changing the transom assembly as well, and a Bravo needs the water impeller assembly mounted on the engine rather than in the drive. It's worth doing your research and starting from a solid platform before committing. Call us at 813-925-7127 and we'll walk through what your particular boat would need.

Will an SE128 mount in place of a Bravo 3X?

We don't make a recommendation on replacing a complete Bravo X drive - that isn't a swap we'll advise on. If what you need is the lower unit only, that's a different question: our SE121 and SE128 lowers do work on Bravo X drives. Tell us which half you're replacing and we'll confirm the right unit at 813-925-7127.

Will your Bravo transom assembly fit my older boat - I'm told inner plates vary?

Our Bravo replacement transom assembly will work across the Bravo era, including early-1990s boats. The differences in the inner plate come down to the motor mount hardware and the fact ours uses the newest fittings for the pitot and the gear lube bottle. It attaches and bolts up exactly the same as the original.

Will your Bravo transom assembly work with SmartCraft?

Our transoms are intended for pre-SmartCraft boats and come with the older 2-wire analog trim and tilt-limit sensors. They can be used with newer SmartCraft engines, but you have to swap the 2-wire analog sensors for 3-wire digital sensors - the port-side 2-wire tilt limit needs to become a 3-wire digital sensor for SmartCraft to read it. We can't supply them with SmartCraft sensors or a Mercathode, so both have to be transferred from your old transom or bought new. If you're seeing four trim wires, that's two for the trim limit switch and two for the trim sender.