Alpha I vs Bravo III

C

codicote

New Member
Mar 8, 2010
10
Australia
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3l Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
Hi Guys,

I am a new member from Melbourne Australia considering purchase of a 2009 SEA RAY 280 with Twin 4.3l 220HP Mercruisers. Can anyone tell me the differences between an Alpha 1 & Bravo III legs - advantages & disadvantages ?

Regards

Paul
 
The most obvious difference is that B3s have 2 counter-rotating props, A1 has one. I believe B3s are designed for greater horsepower and torque requirements. Cost of replacement and rebuilds on B3s are also much more costly. I may be oversimplifying but you'll probably get many more responses. Good luck with your shopping.
 
The Bravo - III's are a smoother shifting drive. The BIII impeller is on the motor and not in the drive. The Bravo III's are more susceptible to corrosion with the twin S/S props. On a 280 either drive will work. If you damage a Bravo III a new drive is more expensive than a Alpha. On a new boat - the Bravo III's are better than the older version for corrosion.
 
I the BIII's are intended to provide more low end torque than the Alpha I's can provide (faster to get on plane).

This, of course, assumes that the engine has enough torque to provide! I am frankly surprised that the BIII's are offered with V6 engines. . .I wonder if this is more of a marketting thing rather than providing real performance advantage?

On a single engine boat, the counter-rotating props of the BIII will make the boat handle better around the dock. On a twin engine boat. . .this is irrelevant as the port/starboard alpha drives will be set up so that they spin different directions.

There are definate pros and cons of one drive over the other. The Alpha is simpler, less expensive. If you scrape bottom, you have HALF the number of props to repair :)
But I do like the fact that the B-III water impeller is not in the drive. With the Alpha drive, the boat has to be out of the water to replace the impeller. If life is good. . .this is not an issue (you do the replacement as part of out-of-water maintenance). If life is not good. . .
 
Codicote.......WELCOME!!!!! Good tips here already. ENJOY the FORUMS. LOTS of knowledgeable peeps here.
 
Do they still put the impeller for the A1s in the drive?
 
I have a SEI alpha 1 gen 1 NEW from last year and the impeller is still in the drive. Not sure of the new Alpha 1s coming from factory on new boats though.
 
Clutch design and operation is better on the BIII as well as thicker metal throughout the drive compared to an Alpha. Alpha is less expensive to replace. Both will get you there.
 
I'd echo the increased drive corrosion on the BIII. I had a '06 300DA and the outdrives were terribly corroded in only three years--sufficiently so that we had to replace entire bottom portion of the drives. Luckily, Mercruiser covered it!!

If you get BIII, make sure that you have upgraded Mercathodes as the older/smaller Mercathode cannot keep up with the BIII. Also, check the outdrives every year for increased corrosion.
 
I think the smoother shifting of the BIII around the dock is an advantage. I had a tough time getting clean shifts on my Alpha while trying to maintain low speed.

Other than that, the Alpha has been around a bit longer and is a pretty durable design as long as they are not matched with a big block.

I have seen BIII showing corrosion in clean freshwater.
 
Al Gross said:
I'd echo the increased drive corrosion on the BIII. I had a '06 300DA and the outdrives were terribly corroded in only three years--sufficiently so that we had to replace entire bottom portion of the drives. Luckily, Mercruiser covered it!!
Click to expand...

Was it trailered or slipped?
 
My 2006 300DA w/ BIII was slipped. The older/smaller/original Mercathode did go bad, which led to the enhanced corrosion. In talking to dealer/Mercruiser, they indicated that for some reason the Potomac is hard on all BIIIs, and they're seeing increased problems across-the-board. In fact, this was a key reason for upgraded/larger Mercathode.

However, in the end it all worked out as Mercruiser paid for the new outdrives, labor, pulling boat, etc. I subsequently sold boat--so the new owner (also a Club Sea Ray Reader) got a '06 300DA with new outdrives, while I got my newer, bigger boat. In the end, we're all happier for what could have been a bad experience as total bill came to $8K! :smt038
 
Al Gross said:
My 2006 300DA w/ BIII was slipped. The older/smaller/original Mercathode did go bad, which led to the enhanced corrosion. In talking to dealer/Mercruiser, they indicated that for some reason the Potomac is hard on all BIIIs, and they're seeing increased problems across-the-board. In fact, this was a key reason for upgraded/larger Mercathode.

However, in the end it all worked out as Mercruiser paid for the new outdrives, labor, pulling boat, etc. I subsequently sold boat--so the new owner (also a Club Sea Ray Reader) got a '06 300DA with new outdrives, while I got my newer, bigger boat. In the end, we're all happier for what could have been a bad experience as total bill came to $8K! :smt038
Click to expand...
hijack...
Al, What is that on the back of your 340DA transom?
 
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