the holes are pretty similar and not difficult to manage. i would advise against doing what you're thinking unless you plan to do only mild cruising and don't mind changing an alpha out once in a while.... I would be surprised if you don't break one or two once in a while...

on gear ratio, the 1.32 is best because it will lat you run low pitch props that spin easier in the water and take a little of the stress off the drive.

If it were me, I would be buying another bravo.

You might also take a look at prices for similar boats and compare the difference in bravo vs alpha prices... That alone should make it clear if you ever might consider selling the boat.

Just my two cents...

 

the holes are pretty similar and not difficult to manage. i would advise against doing what you're thinking unless you plan to do only mild cruising and don't mind changing an alpha out once in a while.... I would be surprised if you don't break one or two once in a while...

on gear ratio, the 1.32 is best because it will lat you run low pitch props that spin easier in the water and take a little of the stress off the drive.

If it were me, I would be buying another bravo.

You might also take a look at prices for similar boats and compare the difference in bravo vs alpha prices... That alone should make it clear if you ever might consider selling the boat.

Just my two cents...

I thank you for the in put. I was only going to use the Alpha drive because it was free and right now money is tight. I would love to have a Bravo. How can I tell what the Alpha gear ratio is if I am looking at one?

 

. How can I tell what the Alpha gear ratio is if I am looking at one?

Put a mark on the Driveshaft end & then turn the Prop shaft ONE revolution and see how many times the driveshaft turned..

If it's a common 1:48 , that means the driveshaft would turn close to 1-1/2 times for every single revolution of the prop shaft..

1:32 would turn 1-1/3 times..
2:00 would turn 2 times,,,,,

and so on..

But I would go with the Bravo too..

 

Putting ANY engine in front of ANY Alpha drive, thats more than 300 foot pounds of torque, is a complete waste of your time & money. 300 is even a bit much, if you expect the drive to pass a 50 hour life cycle in any kind of performance boat. Truth be told, an Alpha drive has no place in a performance boat.

 

Putting ANY engine in front of ANY Alpha drive, thats more than 300 foot pounds of torque, is a complete waste of your time & money. 300 is even a bit much, if you expect the drive to pass a 50 hour life cycle in any kind of performance boat. Truth be told, an Alpha drive has no place in a performance boat.

opc1 opc1

 

opc1 opc1

yup....

op:

 

Putting ANY engine in front of ANY Alpha drive, thats more than 300 foot pounds of torque, is a complete waste of your time & money. 300 is even a bit much, if you expect the drive to pass a 50 hour life cycle in any kind of performance boat. Truth be told, an Alpha drive has no place in a performance boat.

You can say that again...

opc1

 

It can be done and has been done with good reliability. There are guys here that have run them for along time with way more power than what you have. I would agree to go with a bravo but if its free then go for it. NSTYLX has run an alpha for a long time with no problems. He would be able to tell you the pros and cons of the setup.

 

whew, that's good to hear. Iw as worrying about what I was going to do with all these alpha drives.

 

True,, NSTYLX does run a alpha,,, probably an SS, and behind a VERY light Velocity no where near as heavy as the baja,,,and you can be sure he's not doing any space shuttle hole shots with it....is it worth the trouble to repair / replace the alpha a few times,,,,especially when you are going to have to do the Bravo swap eventually anyway? Save up for a Bravo setup,, you will be glad you did. that's my opinion anyway....

 

25ft Baja is too big for an Alpha.

I agree and don't agree with Superman.

A smaller and lighter boat can be a performance boat and can live with an Alpha.

But, if one does not consider a 22ft and under 80+mph boat a 'performance boat' then I guess I'll go back and hide in the Microboat section. :laugher: :laugher: :laugher:

BTW: Many consider 60+mph boats a performance boat, so where does that leave the micros with Alpha's and small blocks that easily surpass this mark ? :laugher:

 

It's obvious the Bravo would be the best and right choice, considering the 25 foot (+4,000 lbs?) and BB

But, if the Alpha is free and if the gear ratio is right, might as well use it until you can locate a Bravo. If the Alpha is healthy it should be ok for a while. Just remember.... NO hole shots, and take it easy in snotty water.

I hear ya on the $$ is tight thing. But you should pick up a Bravo asap.

 

my Alpha lasted 26 years,probably close to 1000 hours, 6
motors , 4 of which were big blocks and finally died last week
behind a healthy 509" in a 5000lb boat .
The main shaft was worn and it used to leak out fluid and take
in water. It wasnt worth replacing so I just kept adding fluid
and still it kept going for another 200 hours afterwards.
Talk about a trooper..

Then again it isnt a "performance" boat and it only runs mid
60s so far.

With a stock 330 it could last a very long time so long as the
driver isnt clueless. If its free and will get you on the water so
you can save up for a bravo later go for it.

 

get yourself on the water, know your limitations, and upgrade if you need to when money is there... you may never need to..

 

get yourself on the water, know your limitations, and upgrade if you need to when money is there... you may never need to..

Probably the best response so far.

 

Put a mark on the Driveshaft end & then turn the Prop shaft ONE revolution and see how many times the driveshaft turned..

If it's a common 1:48 , that means the driveshaft would turn close to 1-1/2 times for every single revolution of the prop shaft..

1:32 would turn 1-1/3 times..
2:00 would turn 2 times,,,,,

and so on..

But I would go with the Bravo too..

I am new at this out drive stuff, so what you telling is to put a mark on the Drive shaft end ( I am assuming that is the end that goes into the Gimbel bearing and coupler) I turn one revolution of the prop. Now does the out drive have to be in gear? and if so, does it matter if it is forward or reverse? It sounds just like finding a cars rear end gear ratio.

 

Just like a car, you got it..