Bravo 3 with open exhaust bellow, running with drive up?

[lrdchaos]

I have a bravo 3 with the open exhaust bellow, or tube, and was wondering if there’s an issues with idling into shallow water areas when the drive up? I know on the older drives idling with the engine up was a no no since the exhaust bellow would be pinched shut.

 

[tpenfield]

Bravo outdrives don't mind all that much about low speed (idle) running in a semi-tilted position. Keep in mind that at low speed the exhaust tube is underwater.

In my experience of running tubes instead of bellows for the past 8 years, I don't really notice much, if any, difference.

 

[Scott Danforth]

drive dont care, bellows dont care....

u-joints on the other hand do care

once the u-joints start to go then the drive starts to care.

 

[lrdchaos]

drive dont care, bellows dont care....

u-joints on the other hand do care

once the u-joints start to go then the drive starts to care.

How far down is acceptable? When loading and unloading the boat I usually have the drive 1/4-1/2 way down on the trim gauge. It’s never all the way up.

 

[Scott Danforth]

running within the trim gauge is fine, that is only about +/- 6-8 degrees from 0.

the difference between 1/4 down and 1/2 down is only a few degrees

never run above the trim limit setting (tilt range). that is where the u-joints bind

 

[Fun Times]

If the boats on the trailer then you could make sure your max trim limit pin to pin height is set to 21 3/4 inches up/out as noted like below for you if desired...

805320A1 TRIM SENDER AND TRIM LIMIT SWITCH KIT