Mercruiser Power Shift

[HT32BSX115]

Howdy,

Does anyone know about or has anyone used a Power Shift Mercruiser and would there be a good reason to install one of these vacuum shift unit units on a Bravo?

They're discontinued and I suspect that they simply weren't worth the extra cost or just added more complexity and another part to break in the shift system.


Thanks,



Rick

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercruiser Power Shift

Most Mercrusier II units needed them and a few years ago merc still had repair parts available, what would you need one on a Bravo for????

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Mercruiser Power Shift

My thinking was that it would make shifting a little easier for my non-technical family members to shift into and out of gear.

Most NON-boat people don't understand how to shift a clutch-dog drive so they try to do it slowly and do a little "dog-grinding" in the process.

I understand that the cone clutches don't have this problem.....but I'm assuming that the vacuum operated "Power Shift" takes most of the "technique" out of it and will shift pretty much the same every time regardless of how slow you move the shift lever.

It was an option on my 1997 Bravo drive and my service manual shows how to maintain it.

I did talk to a local Mercruiser service guy today and he told me that he's never even seen one. I suspect that since they are not even available now that they weren't really needed...and maybe were never needed.

They're VERY expensive if you buy them from a dealer. (approx $1000) I found one (new/old stock) for about $500.

Probably not worth that either. I just wanted to hear from someone from someone that has used one with a Bravo.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Mercruiser Power Shift

Don't know why you would "need" one on a bravo.

And for the alphas, I wouldn't spend $1000 to add just a little more lifespan to a drive that I could replace for $12-1300

It's a whole lot cheaper to teach people how to shift.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Mercruiser Power Shift

Yeah,education was on my mind also.Push directly forward on the lever until the first detent.When pulling back,stop at the neutral detent before going into the reverse detent.Then throttle up.

OR the keys stay in my pockets.

Price is not always a factor as much as boating time is.

Here in New England,2 or more weeks in the shop is a BIG chunk of the boating season.

DHP