www.iFourWinns.com

I am purchasing a new '08 H210SS with the Merc 6.2L/Bravo 1 set up. I live in CO and operate the boat at 5,000'. Was wondering if anyone has any experience setting up this config for optimum performance. I'm purchasing the boat at sea level so I'm pretty sure it has the standard gear ratio in the outdrive. The dealer is telling me that they adjust for operating at alt with prop pitch and changing fuel injector jets. I know that there is a high alt gear option for the Bravo 1 but I'm unsure at what alt it becomes necessary. I would think that it would be appropriate at 5,000'. Would appreciate any advice on this topic.

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JD
Colorado Springs, Colorado

2008 H210 SS w/6.2L, 320 HP Merc
1999 Horizon 190 w/5.0L, 220 HP Volvo Penta (Sale Pending)
2004 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel

I don't have much experience with this, other than to say that the high-alt. CO boaters who post on Internet forums regularly seem to usually have different gear ratios. I have to wonder if your dealer is trying to avoid the hassle of changing it.

One very knowledgeable guy you might ask (who is in CO) is Weird Walt over on the trailerboats.com forum.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

You would only change 'Jets' in a carburetor

The benefit of having fuel injection is that the onboard computer adjusts the correct air/fuel mixture for whatever elevation your at.

As for gear ratio, we have 1.95 ratio in our volvo for high alt. Then you fine tune with differnt pitch props.
We boat at lakes from 6800' in northern Utah, down to 3500' at Lake Powell. Fuel injection adjust perfectly for a smooth running motor and always fires up quickly.

Our First FW (245 Sundowner w/king cobra) dealer had to regear the outdrive for high alt. It is a simple task for any good marine mechanic. Couple hour job at most. As for what ratio Merc has options for, I don't know, but I would have dealer regear with whatever Merc recommends for there high alt option.

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2000 248 5.7L DP
'92, '94 SXI 750, '08 STX 15F, '12 Ultra LX 300
Videos

The high alt gear ratio for the Bravo 1 is 1.65 where 1.5 is standard. I had heard swapping out gears is cumbersome so I'm glad to hear that it is not that big a deal (for the dealer). Based on what my friend are running here, I think I would still have to go from a 19" to 17" pitch, even with the high alt. Would have to do a lot more with the 1.5 ratio. Thx for your inputs.

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JD
Colorado Springs, Colorado

2008 H210 SS w/6.2L, 320 HP Merc
1999 Horizon 190 w/5.0L, 220 HP Volvo Penta (Sale Pending)
2004 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel