www.iFourWinns.com

I have a, 07 Horizon 220 with the 350 Mag/Bravo III set-up. I bought the boat here in Denver and it came with 2.43:1 gear ratio and 22 pitch props. We are moving to Louisiana next month so need to switch to a set of higher pitch props. My dealer has offered to trade out my 22's for 24's. Will that be high enough? Does anyone at or near sea level have this set-up? If so what are you running? The dealer thinks I may need to go to 26's.
Thanks in advance.

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Jeff
2007 Four Winns 220
350 Mag/Bravo III
2006 GMC Yukon XL Denali
2009 GMC Sierra Crew Cab

Howdy,

Are you absolutely sure that you have a 2.43:1 drive? (I suppose it probably says on the side......)

If correct, your boat will only do about 40mph at WOT with your current setup?

Even with 28p props you would only get about 50 mph at 5000rpm.
(& 53mph with 30's assuming the engine would pull it)

You boat is about the same size and probably weight as my 211 Liberator. I run 57 mph At 4600rpm. (1.81:1, 26p)


If I had that boat, I would seriously consider selling the drive and getting a 2.00:1 or 2.20:1 drive.


Even with 26p props I seriously doubt you'll even break 45.

You can use the following prop-slip calculator to give you some "Ball Park" info: http://www.go-fast.com/Prop_Slip_Calculator.htm (type in your ratio, RPM and pitch. Use 8% for slip [about right for a Bravo III])


Good luck,


Rick

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Rick,
Why would you want to sell/swap drives? Why not have current drive re-geared? I would think that would be cheaper and less time in shop.

Our last boat, we had it re-geared before we took delivery from dealer. This was done so that for lakes around salt lake area (3700-6500 ft elev) we could run a 19 pitch prop, this way I could fine tune which a prop change, either 17 or 21 depending on which elevation we boated at.

Kris

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

Hi Kris,

I don't really think it would be all that cheap to re-gear A Bravo III.

It would have to be completely disassembled, and basically "rebuilt". The labor would be the nearly same as a complete rebuild.

You could not put it back together without re-shimming, re-adjusting all the bearing pre-loads, resealing with new seals and what ever else needed to be replaced....it's not as simple as just swapping out the gears. It would probably be cheaper than a brand new drive, but you can buy rebuilt & "last-years" drives all day on ebay. I think a 2.43:1 Bravo III would be somewhat rare and probably would command a pretty good price. Also there might be a dealer that would take the drive in trade on a rebuilt and probably not charge even as much as a complete rebuild.


He should of course, try 26p or 28p props or even 30's first. If he can get MAX RPM at WOT (probably 5000 for that engine) He might just as well keep it.

Here's a set of 28's on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERCURY- ... 240%3A1318

Here's a set of 30's
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercruis ... 240%3A1318


If he lived up here in the NW I would be glad to loan mine to try!


btw, I just LOVE that Lake Powell picture in your sig!!

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Rick,

Thanks for the info, I am not familiar with the Bravo-III, but re-gearing a volvo or OMC is an easy job (easy for the shop / OK for the those that don't mind tackling more than simple jobs on the boat), so I assumed the merc would be as well.
If you bought a used drive off E-bay, you would end up with a spare drive??? or do most require to return core?
As for the sig photo comments, thanks, we camped at the base of Gunsite butte, just upstream from Wahweep. Almost as cool as rotating props!!!

Mile High 220, you should price out all options and then decide what fits your budget and time frame for shop work/down time if tackling job yourself.

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