[Hunter12345]

Hey there!! Im wondering if someone can clarify a couple thing regarding the older 5.7l mercruiser.
1- can you mate any mercruiser to a bravo 3 outdrive? Or does it have to be a specific model?
2- what year did the efi model start?
3- what the easiest way to tell of its vortech or pre vortech?
There was quite a few changes during the 95' through 2001. Lots of different horsepower ranges.
If i get the serial number can i do an engine search?

Thanks in advance for any info, spring is here in canada... Snows melting fast cant wake to wake her up and hit the water!!!!!

[Motoxxx43]

Maybe start HERE with a serial number to get an idea.

A Bravo 3 can mate to a Bravo 1 not to an alpha.

[Hunter12345]

Thanks for the link!


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[Hunter12345]

Moto, do you run smart tabs on your boat? Im on the fence with these on mine... Once on plane you trim up to raise the front of the hull out of the water increasing speed, is the boat always fighting the smart tabs while trimming up?


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[Motoxxx43]

I have smart tabs on a 25' cuddy. I was reluctant to out on some simple looking gas shock/tab thinking it would not work. Well I was wrong. They work like they are advertised to. Trimming the outdrive is not an issue at all with those tabs. It is an easier boat to drive all around than it was before putting them on. No drifting at no wake speed, quicker on plane, plane at lower speed, smoother ride, and supposedly better fuel economy. All at a trade off of a few measly MPH off top end- I don't even notice unless it's speed by GPS.

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[Hunter12345]

Thanks for that link, i actually called mercury direct with the serial number, turn out the motor is a 1997 5.7l mpi gen +, another member told me to make sure theyre 80 lb smart tabs as 60 would be the wrong size for that motor. Are you running 80's? Do you have a mercaprobe ithink its called? To monitor electrolysis? And keep the upper and lower unit from corroding? There's a lot to learn about boat maintenance!! Haha!


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[Hunter12345]

Mercathrobe, sorry


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[Motoxxx43]

http://www.sterndrives.com/mercathode.html Mercathode is the whole system. Sounds like you are referring to anodes that are located on outdrive. They are composed of different metals depending on the water type you use the boat in.
As for the actuators I would check out what Nauticus recommends. I have used the #60 and the #80. I like the #60 when I'm running light but the #80 help when going out with more than a few people and supplies. In general the #60 work just fine for my boat.

There are quite a few aspects to boat maintenance if you are not too familiar with marine stuff. It's not as bad as the general population makes it out to be " the best two days of owning a boat is when you buy it and when you sell it". I hear that and I think they fell victim to their own negative outlook on life or they didn't really belong in a boat to begin with. Anyone can blow money on a sport/hobby and not enjoy it because it didn't meet their expectations.

There is a ton of support for mercruiser motors and outdrives. You have questions Google can be your buddy along with saving you the hassle of taking your vessel to a marine shop only to have it sit for four weeks in peak season before they eventouch it.

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[Hunter12345]

Id rather be the familiar than unfamiliar. Aside from having the new jet propulsion, familiarization can save thousands in preventative maintenance. I think its awesome you guys are around to help, cant be afraid of hard work if you want to maintain an old beauty like the first gens mariah's!!! Man they're nice boats... Thankful i own one!!!


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[Hunter12345]

Magneseum opposed to alu.


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