Bravo III props

aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,536 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited March 2018 in General Boating Discussions
My co-worker just put a deposit down on a 2002 270 pending sea trial in a few weeks. The drive has an inner 4 blade prop and an outer 3 blade prop. I'm not used to dual props on one drive, is this normal to do or should they be matched? The owner says the boat pops up out of the water with this set up.


2008 330EC
Post edited by aero3113 on
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Its a Bravo 3 drive which normally has a 3 and a 3 blade prop
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  • StodgeStodge Member Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭✭
    Some folks on here were playing with the 3/4 combination.  Might look for those threads and see what they say.  But I think the idea was to help performance.

    2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX

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  • JonnyMJonnyM Member Posts: 332 ✭✭✭
    Should have better performance with getting up on plane (holeshot) with this set up.  Props are not original to the boat but are probably an upgrade.
    "Mosi on Dahn"  2003 Fiesta Vee 270
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2018
    Mercury now offers the B3 drive with a 3/3 prop setup and a 4/3 prop setup. Like @JonnyM stated, she should have much better performance at hole shot. If I could get my hands on a set of 21 pitch 4/3's, I would buy them in a heartbeat.
    Post edited by Cableguy Greg on
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod
    My '03 342 came new with 4/3 props, and my '07 370 has them.  I've been more than happy with the performance.  
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  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I’ve read that the front prop does 70% of the work. I’d take a 4/3 set up over my current 3/3
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

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  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Most all newer application on bigger boats with B3 use the 4/3 set up. More surfuse to water to push more weight, not best for high speed. You did say it's a 270 not a rocket ship.
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
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  • pault1216pault1216 Member Posts: 206 ✭✭✭
    I thought the prop anode and dual anodes on the anti-cavitation/ventilation plate was 2004 and later...?
    -Paul

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  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So this brings up a question- can those of us that still have 3/3 bravo 3 set up buy just one hill 4 blade for the front and keep the rear prop that we already have? 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    pault1216 said:
    I thought the prop anode and dual anodes on the anti-cavitation/ventilation plate was 2004 and later...?
    -Paul

    It is. The drive had to have been replaced with a newer bravo 3 or a newer lower half. 
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,536 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cableguy Greg said:
    pault1216 said:
    I thought the prop anode and dual anodes on the anti-cavitation/ventilation plate was 2004 and later...?
    -Paul

    It is. The drive had to have been replaced with a newer bravo 3 or a newer lower half. 
    Good to know, he told me that the engine was replaced 2 years ago. I wonder if the drive was replaced also. Would the transom assembly have been replaced for this drive or it's interchangeable between the years?
    2008 330EC
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 8,689 ✭✭✭✭✭
    probably the same...not sure though 100%
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  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Transom assembly is the same. The top of that drive is 2002 (square back) but bottom is newer. My 02 has one anodes on the cavitation plate but did have the one on the prop. 
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
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  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @Liberty44140 can't see why not but I think you want to stay with a merc prop the hills are different  (cup, pitch,rake) plus I think hill marine only sells sets?
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
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  • Robs_232Robs_232 Member Posts: 212 ✭✭✭
    Just bought new Hill 4x4 24 pitch for my 232. If anyone is interested I have original B3 26 pitch that have 100 hrs. plus 24 pitch set I bought from Al two years ago with 40 hrs. Nothing wrong with either set just experimenting. PM if interested in either the 24 or 26 pitch originals. Make a deal!
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,052 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Liberty44140 said:
    So this brings up a question- can those of us that still have 3/3 bravo 3 set up buy just one hill 4 blade for the front and keep the rear prop that we already have? 
    Merc suggests to purchase the props in sets.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Got it, no plans to buy at this point but good to know. Thx 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

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  • randy56randy56 Member Posts: 4,085 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have the 4x3 and recommend it, a 4x4 may even be better.
    Boat Name : 

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