Outdrive Q

[Tafflad]

Starting to think about changing my boat ... currently have an 18' with 4.3L

Looking at Cobalt 200 with 5.0L ............ they give as an option the Alpha or B3 drive.

Never had a twin prop, is it worth thinking about the $2000 extra to get the B3 ........ use of the boat will be general runabout and in the main towed water sparts (ski/wakeboard etc.)
So not really after high end top speed, just low end grunt.

(Alpha drive on current boat works fine with Smart Tabs and a High Five prop. )

 

[GasCan II]

Re: Outdrive Q

Take a twin prop for a ride,than make up your own mind.
Good Luck !

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrive Q

Ayuh,... It's well worth it, 'n you'll Love it....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Outdrive Q

...
So not really after high end top speed, just low end grunt...

That describes what a Bravo 3 does best.

 

[Tafflad]

Re: Outdrive Q

I don't have that option ...... there isn't one to try, hence my qusetion is it worth the difference ?


Read somehwere they are of limited gain on smaller hulls. ......... no knowledge of these - hence posting Q for help.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Outdrive Q

The pros of a B3 drive are:

Faster time to plane (with equal power)
Ability to hold plane at a lower speed
Less wandering at idle speeds (but Deep Vees will still wander)
Less blow out in tight turns
Ability to turn with drive trimmed up higher
Better low speed manuerability, especially in Reverse.


Cons to a B3:
Higher initial price
Propsets expensive and limited to 6 sizes
Potential severe corrosion issues if left in the water and not properly maintained
Slightly lower top speed than a 3 blade single prop drive
Move FAST at idle speed. Since the props "bite" so well, they do nothing slow, so be prepared to run into stuff, or pull them in and out of gear a lot

 

[Tafflad]

Re: Outdrive Q

Thnx for that ... seems more Pros than Cons

esp the quicker planing ..

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Outdrive Q

Thnx for that ... seems more Pros than Cons

esp the quicker planing ..

Yep, you're welcome. Think about it this way, how much better was your boat when you went from 3 to 5 blades? Well a B3 has 6, and they usually slip a lot less!

 

[Tafflad]

Re: Outdrive Q

Yep .. High Five was big improvement over standard 3 blade ...certainly made deep water mono ski starts possible.