Help Needed. New Bravo III

[r.j.dawg]

Ok, here it goes. On a trip this summer and blow out the drive with an underwater strike. Insurance pays for a new drive. Yes new, not rebuilt. I asked the marina that replaced the drive (not our home marina, we were on a trip on the Trent Severn) for the serial number of the drive and all I got for a reply was it's on the left side of the drive. I pressed for the number but no reply. Well, the boat got pulled this week and we went to look today and there is no serial number any where on this drive. I know it should be on the port side below the decal but there is nothing there. It looks like the small silver band that was there has been removed. Any other easy way of finding out the serial number without removing the drive.
Thanks in advance for all your advice.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Any other easy way of finding out the serial number without removing the drive.

Howdy,


I would suggest that you go to a Mercruiser dealer and ask them. I don't think Mercruiser stamps serial numbers on their drives. If the "sticker" is missing, you may not be able to determine the actual serial number. I just looked at mine and the serial number is indeed on the "Sticker" on the port side of the drive. It is possible to replace the stickers when you rebuild the drive, or they get tattered, pulled off, etc.... I wouldn't expect them to be gone on a new drive though.... (my Bravo III is a 1997 model and my stickers are intact)

The dealer that installed the "new" drive should have it and if it was REALLY "new", should have taken it right out of the box.

If you suspect they didn't install a new drive, you should contact your insurance company (pronto) . I would think they'd want to know all about it. They might even send out a representative to verify.

Then there might be some questions about insurance fraud etc.


Good luck,


Rick

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Thanks for the reply Rick. I was a bit suspicious at first as the little sticker on each side of the drive says "Bravo 1". I was told that all the Bravo upper units are the same, that it's the lowers that distinguish each drive. This drive was destined to be a Bravo 1 I was told but they used it for my repair. Ok, sound plausible. Then when we got back to our home marina, I noticed a few cut wires lying under the engine. Further investigation revealed that the Mercathode wires had been cut and not rewired. (the engine had to be pulled as the engine coupler also had to be replaced). And now this with the missing serial number. I placed a call to the insurance company today and hopefully they can help me out with this.

 

[kylejb2663]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Wow man- Good Luck!

This sounds like it totally stinks! I would definitely contact the Insurance Company like you have already done. I would make the shop find an invoice from a distributor or MerCruiser themselves to show they indeed did order the drive NEW, the insurance company will probably help with this.

I have heard of lots of shops with insurance fraud and I avoid them like the plague- There is only one shop I will ever go too that's honest and true in my neighborhood! Unfortunately, it didn't sound like you had a choice being the fact you were on a trip and needed to get home!

Keep us updated!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Thanks for the reply Rick. I was a bit suspicious at first as the little sticker on each side of the drive says "Bravo 1". I was told that all the Bravo upper units are the same, that it's the lowers that distinguish each drive. This drive was destined to be a Bravo 1 I was told but they used it for my repair. Ok, sound plausible.

Ok. This is a little more info.

It appears they maybe used a "new" Bravo I "upper" they had on hand and coupled it with either a "new" Bravo III "lower" they either obtained or also had on hand.

There's NOTHING WRONG with doing that! (they are the same) BUT if I paid for a "NEW" BRAVO III drive. I would expect them to unpack the box with a NEW Bravo III drive in it. AND get the serial number complete with a Mercury Marine Warranty Card etc.


If they wanted to do something else (to save you some money....which is entirely plausible) then they should have been completely UP-FRONT with you and the insurance company.

If they were not, then they were about saving that "money" (for themselves) and charging the insurance company full price for a "NEW NEW NEW in the box B-3 drive".

That would be insurance fraud if they actually did that.

If the invoice indicated that they replaced the upper and lower (itemized separately) and the prices for each are "about right", then they may have only just did a shoddy installation (didn't reconnect the Mercathode etc)

Either way, if they "said" they were installing a "new" B3 you should have gotten an explanation if it isn't a "new" one.

But it doesn't matter what they "say"........... It's what they did and what they documented to you and the insurance company.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

When I spoke to the insurance adjuster, I explained that I needed not only the serial number and the gear ratio, but a copy of the invoice to prove to prospective buyers should i decide to sell, that this is in fact a new drive. The total that was charged to the insurance company was 11,051 to replace the drive and engine coupler.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

The total that was charged to the insurance company was 11,051 to replace the drive and engine coupler.

That would be labor to R&R the drive (about an hour) and R&R the engine 8-10 hrs maybe? $1000-1200 or so.

PLUS the cost of a new drive.

I think these guys sell Mercury parts and drives: http://www.sterndrives.com/414bravothree.html

I think the following is USD.

Bravo Three	5-5D30136KZ	1.36	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00
Bravo Three	5-5D30120KZ	1.50	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00
Bravo Three	5-5D30165KZ	1.65	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00
Bravo Three	5-5D30181KZ	1.81	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00
Bravo Three	5-5D30200KZ	2.00	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00
Bravo Three	5-5D30220KZ	2.20	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00
Bravo Three	5-5D30243KZ	2.43	Retail $7,965 Your cost $5973.00

Plus a new propset at probably $1200 or so (retail)

A coupler is around $300-400 + maybe another hr to install.


I don't know how current those retail prices above are. But your insurance company should be motivated to check so as to not allow shops to overcharge them.

Ultimately we all pay higher premiums as a result, because most of us are not motivated to shop for the best price .......... "Who cares about price? The insurance company will 'pay' for it" (In ALL insurance coverages.....medical, auto-body, windshields, etc ) BUT, in reality, WE ALL PAY FOR IT!


Good luck!


Rick

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

If I'm not mistaken, shouldn't the gear ratio be stamped under the "M" in Mercruiser.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

If I'm not mistaken, shouldn't the gear ratio be stamped under the "M" in Mercruiser.

View attachment 120371

I am pretty sure that the ratio and serial number are always stamped on the port side decal of a new OEM drive.

 

[rick3452]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

http://www.perfprotech.com/store/catalog/Bravo-3,3648.aspx

Check out this place...

Good luck..
Rick

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

If I'm not mistaken, shouldn't the gear ratio be stamped under the "M" in Mercruiser.

View attachment 120371

It depends on the year or serial number of the drive.

On the older drives the serial number and gear ratio should be on the port side decal like on page 1A-5.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11a1r5x.pdf

But since you have a newer drive, The drive serial number is located on the decal of the port side of the drive, & more to the right just above the (iser) spelling of the word Mercruiser (more towards the back cap area).

Then for the Drive Ratio, It is located on the decal of the starboard side. If you look at the pictures of the drive about half way down in the link below you will see what it should look like for the Drive Ratio. That's the best I could find on the net for photos for you.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190590051851+

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Thanks for the info Fun Times. I was looking where they were on my old drive. Gear ratio was under the M and the serial number was under the iser. This may warrant another look.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Humm, I thought the Bravo III was a duo prop drive. The Bravo I is a single prop high performance drive (100mph) and the Bravo II (60mph) is the standard drive. Shouldn't be too much problem figuring out which one you have.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

as stated above sschefer, the uppers are ALL THE SAME.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

Humm, I thought the Bravo III was a duo prop drive. The Bravo I is a single prop high performance drive (100mph) and the Bravo II (60mph) is the standard drive. Shouldn't be too much problem figuring out which one you have.

I know I have a BIII. It's the serial number and gear ratio that I'm trying to find.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Help Needed. New Bravo III

If it's new, the serial number was on a barcoded sticker if that's been removed then there isn't one. You might find cast in part nrs but they won't tell you the info you're looking for. The gear ratio can be figured out by turning the engine over one revolution and then counting the prop shaft turns. Takes two people to do that but it's not very hard.