Bravo Three Handling

[bartlett]

I recently purchased a new 08 240 Sundeck with a Bravo 3 duoprop. On all my previous boats with outdrives I had alpha 1 or Bravo 1. When docking with these a hard right or left turn in reverse brought the rear end around flawlessley in docking manuvers. I have found that the Bravo 3 does not do this and requires more forward shifting and offers little or no reverse manuvering. The Bravo 3 is awesome in every other way except this. Any handling hints?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Obviously, handling depends a lot on the length of the boat. But that is very surprising that you're finding the B3 to be worse. Honestly, this is the first time I have heard this. I've run 240SD's many times and I have always been very happy with the low-speed handling. My 260DA has a b3 - same thing - happy. I'm not sure what to tell you. :huh:

 

[rondds]

I would think the counter-rotating props would improve all aspects of low speed manuevering. My previous boat had a B3 and the one before that was an Alpha 1. I would back that B3 into the slip like a car. New boat, new drive - might just be a learning curve. Your best bet is to go out somewhere and practice backing down onto a buoy. I'm sure you just have to get the hang of it.

 

[Morpheus]

I think he's saying just in reverse is when he has the trouble and although I have very little experience with other boats I will agree that getting the boat to do what you want in reverse I've found is very difficult going foward there is no problem.

 

[Tonka Boater]

I recently purchased a new 08 240 Sundeck with a Bravo 3 duoprop. On all my previous boats with outdrives I had alpha 1 or Bravo 1. When docking with these a hard right or left turn in reverse brought the rear end around flawlessley in docking manuvers. I have found that the Bravo 3 does not do this and requires more forward shifting and offers little or no reverse manuvering. The Bravo 3 is awesome in every other way except this. Any handling hints?

I found this to be true with my previous 240SD too. The old hard-left-reverse doesn't work the same on the B3. The reason is the counter rotating props make such manuevers less exagerated. They actually make backing up smoother which gives the illusion of being less responsive. The B3 responds better to slow moves rather than quick bursts. This is my experience and you will get the hang of it.

.

 

[mfreez]

I agree, w/ Tonka Boater, the BIII requires a bit of getting used to, but once I got some time under my belt, I can back it around a corner.

 

[rondds]

A single screw boat has always been more responsive in reverse to that hard left thing, even if you leave the drive amidships. The counter-rotation of a B3, by design, eliminates that.

 

[scurrah]

I too have a new 2008 with a Bravo 3 and have found reverse maneuverability more difficult compared to my previous boat (with Alpha). I love the B3 for maneuvering forward. But I can't seem to spin it on a dime like I used to. So, for a busy day on Big Island (Minnetonka), I tend to be a little more gun shy about how close I'm comfortable parking next to another boat.

 

[chuck1]

IMHO - Give it sometime and practice and you will never go back.

 

[dr.j]

I agree with all, a BIII is far more responsive than the single prop application. I found the key was going slow and easy when backing up into a slip. The BIII does not slide sideways while in reverse so a little more steering is required.

 

[Lazy Daze]

As mentioned, reversing is a harder maneuver than going forward. As a boat gets longer, it gets harder and harder to pull that back end around. If anyone is comparing a smaller boat to a larger one, that is not a fair statement to say it's the fault of the B3.

I specifically remembering running a 220SD with an Alpha drive, and then shortly after running a 220SD with a B3. The difference was VERY apparent; in the favor of the B3. Both times the boats were in a slip - in fact, the exact same slip as these were boats we kept as demo's. The Alpha boat sold, we replaced it with the B3.

 

[bartlett]

Thanks for the input. At least others have similar experience when switching to the B3.

 

[Woody]

When I got my 270SD I worried about handling in slow speed rev/for. I thought I would have the same problems as the Alpha on my 200Select only magnified by a larger boat. Much to my suprise from the first outing I found the B3 to be much better handling in all respects.