Bravo 2 question

[kolyo]

Is the normal Bravo 2 leg suited for diesel engines or do I need a Bravo 2X? If suitable, which make/model is the best choice for my 25 ft flybridge weighing nearly 3 tons.

 

[spannerman]

Bravo 2 is designed primarily for diesel engines in heavy boats. I don’t know what engine you have but depending on horsepower its essential to get the correct gear ratio as there are several to choose from. The X has stronger gears and bearings, simply put.

 

[ontheplane]

I don’t think spannerman is entirely correct although he usually is!

I thought Bravo2 was fitted on larger, heavier boats and bravo / alpha 1 on faster boats.

I would have thought Bravo3 was the choice for a 25ft flybridge?

 

[kolyo]

Bravo 2 is designed primarily for diesel engines in heavy boats. I don’t know what engine you have but depending on horsepower its essential to get the correct gear ratio as there are several to choose from. The X has stronger gears and bearings, simply put.

My Bravo 2 is coupled to an ageing Mercruiser 454. I'd like swap it with a newer, preferably diesel, engine if it is not risky or too much hassle.

 

[spannerman]

The Bravo 2 works with either big petrols or diesels, its made for heavy planing boats. But your gear ratio won’t work with a diesel as they don’t rev so high as a V8. Bravo 2 is made to swing large diameter props to get heavy boats moving.
Bravo 3 has a much better holeshot getting up on the plane quickly, but you need a lot of hp to spin two props. If you go to the Mercruiser website or Google it you can see which drives suit which applications.

 

[QBhoy]

All about the gear ratio...as spannerman has said.

 

[kolyo]

I have just learned that having the ratio changed so the prop spins at the right speed for a diesel engine will be about the same as having the drive rebuilt. Not good news