VP or Merc

[R400]

How do the DPH and Merc Bravo 3 compare. What does the panel think please.

 

[SC35]

Depends on the application.
DP-H is a chunky thing - it works okay up to 400bhp if well maintained and so long as you don't get fishing lines damaging the prop shaft seals.

Bravo 3 works fine on lighter / faster boats. Bravo 3X has upgrades for more powerful engines as well.

DP-H is not perfect, but it would be my preference for a heavier boat.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I had DP-H on my S40, worked well enough but spun props and shitty build quality not in its favour. A bit of fouling slashed the speed but that may be true of all outdrives. Very clunky with the joystick, the DP-I are much better in that respect.

I’d not be rushing back.

 

[SC35]

DP-H with Stainless Steel props is more resilient to not having "spun" prop hubs.
DP-I looks a bit scary to me as the steering is all electronic?

 

[Grubble]

You don't say where you are - how are tariffs affecting spares prices in the EU or US?

 

[R400]

Thanks panel.
Thinking of an Aquador 28c. Some come with VP D6 and others with the Cummins Merc 320 and bravo 3. Just pondering why the merc powered tend to be cheaper. Thanks for the input

 

[Sticky Fingers]

DP-H with Stainless Steel props is more resilient to not having "spun" prop hubs.
DP-I looks a bit scary to me as the steering is all electronic?

I had stainless props, 3 out of four spun in less than two years, shite. And electronic steering, as I had the joysticks, which was by the way very good.

 

[jointventureII]

Thanks panel.
Thinking of an Aquador 28c. Some come with VP D6 and others with the Cummins Merc 320 and bravo 3. Just pondering why the merc powered tend to be cheaper. Thanks for the input

Check what version of the Bravo 3 - SC35 above mentions the 3X which would be needed to deal with torque on that size of engine.

I have that engine (Cummins Merc 320) with a 30 year old Bravo 2, when the "X" versions didn't increase but wouldn't stick a regular Bravo 3 on it.

 

[SC35]

I had stainless props, 3 out of four spun in less than two years, shite.

Yikes!
Was this offshore racing?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

No, Solent leisure boating, mostly at modest rpm. Not VP’s finest hour. All covered by warranty. Some suggestion at the time of a bad batch but that maybe hyperbollocks.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

But 2k a year for props wasn’t an attractive post-warranty proposition.

 

[volvopaul]

But 2k a year for props wasn’t an attractive post-warranty proposition.

Interesting as I have not had a stainless spin it’s hub .

 

[madabouttheboat]

Drive choice is only half of the equation. The other half is the engine, and for me not only would the DPH drive win, the D6 would also come out on top so it would be a no-brainer. YMMV

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Interesting as I have not had a stainless spin it’s hub .

Well, maybe that was a warranty spin. No idea now.

 

[SC35]

My first set of Nibral props lasted 14 years before stranger things started happening.
Newer set of SS props are fine so far.