Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Shipping weight on an alpha is 86lbs.

That would make a Bravo weigh in at about 120lbs (minus prop(s) then maybe?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

I think we need to slow down here for a minute.

With the new engine what are your goals? How much power did the old engine produce, and how did the boat perform with it?

Ayuh,.... That's the Real Question,......

With my Atlantis project,..
I collected a complete Alpha 1, then found a Gen.II deal, so I grabbed it too...
Knowing I was going with a SBC, but Dreaming of a 7.3l Diesel....
When a Steal of a Deal presented itself last summer for a Bravo,... I jumped All over it...
I'm going with the Bravo, just in case someday I stumble accross that Dream motor...

 

[180shabah]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

That would make a Bravo weigh in at about 120lbs (minus prop(s) then maybe?

little clicking around the merc website reveals that a B1 weighs 41lbs more than a GenII Alpha, 26 additional pouns for the jump to the B3.

 

[mylesm260]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

On the alpha vs bravo thing. in a nutshell my decision to stick with my alpha (at over 400 hp) was based on the following:

Alpha drive is a couple hundred pounds lighter... in my 17 1/2 foot sub 2500 boat that's a ton of weight right in the ***** end of the boat.

Are you saying you have 400 HP in a 17.5 foot boat?
What's your top speed?
What's your gear ratio and prop?
How many RPMS do you run WOT?

I've got what I believe to be 230 HP in a 21 Ft boat pushing 63 MPH..... You're boat must FLY!

 

[180shabah]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Ayuh,.... That's the Real Question,......

With my Atlantis project...

Hows that coming along?

I've got what I believe to be 230 HP in a 21 Ft boat pushing 63 MPH....

That sounds optimistic. Is the 63 by GPS? Are you sure about only having 230 hp? Or, is this a "small" 21'er, long, lean and low?

 

[Schmoe]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

If your going Alpha, make damn sure you use the High Performance outdrive lube, the synthetic stuff.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

I collected a complete Alpha 1, then found a Gen.II deal, so I grabbed it too...
Knowing I was going with a SBC, but Dreaming of a 7.3l Diesel....
When a Steal of a Deal presented itself last summer for a Bravo,... I jumped All over it...
I'm going with the Bravo, just in case someday I stumble accross that Dream motor...

You packrat

 

[skargo]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Any pics of your Novas 210? I just bought a 78 model.

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Just talked to my mechanic, he's gonna yank the motor/outdrive this week. All these comments have got me thinking...just clean up the 260, slap a remanned/SEI alpha on it, or build the engine, put a Bravo one (three?) on it and have fun. It's really not in great shape, I bought it to restore, something for me to do, I'm looking at having it in the water next season. I'm going to to shoot some pics before he takes the engine/outdrive off.

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

You packrat

Boating has always been a rich mans hobby. Buying a new boat gets cheaper every year, but the maintenance, the repairs, and the overall cost of ownership of a boat has never gotten any cheap


So true...

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Skargo....

Got any pics of your own?

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

BTW, does ANYONE know of a good manual that breaks down engines for the novice (hopefully with a lot pictures)? I've always done reg maintenence on my boats, would really like to know how to break down engines/outdrives (just to know how they work). I rebuilt a Volvo man tranny in my teens with the Haynes in one hand, worked out well. I have read the Merc and Seloc manuals, not alot of pictures. Where do I get started, this side of a night course?

 

[skargo]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Skargo....

Got any pics of your own?

Yes sir,

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Hey!

I've seen these before/read the thread! This boat is too sweet! You said you picked it up like this?!? Wow...Gonna try to clean mine up, at least I know where the bar is set. I'll work on my pics soon, prob gonna rip the interior out today, my wife is visiting family in Ny and has the digital...

 

[skargo]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Thanks, I have loved this hull design and Novas in general since I was a kid.

Good luck with yours!

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

Looks like you could eat out of the engine compartment. Was it FWC when you bought it, do you know of a good add-on?

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

I've always liked the Novas, also. Nice, compact, good looking, handled great. Had a 23' Nova XL a couple of years ago before Katrina.

 

[skargo]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

The original owner intended to buy a 1977 model but his friend, the marina owner, suggested he wait for the 78 redesign. The 78 model was also the first to offer the FWC. SO I am thankful he waited!

 

[eb0248]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

This is all from the original owner? What did he do, keep it in a box under his bed? Good for you, I'll get my pics up as the restore progresses.

 

[skargo]

Re: Bravo One Vs. Alpha?

This is all from the original owner? What did he do, keep it in a box under his bed? Good for you, I'll get my pics up as the restore progresses.

He kept it on a lift, in a boathouse it's entire life.

I almost bought am 86 230 xl project with a blown motor and suspect floors. I am glad I made my wife see the light that I would SAVE money going this route.