Among the many products Mercruiser is offering in 2005 is this mid range work horse, the 5.7L, 250 horsepower gasoline V-8. For those of us who need a lot of go for not a lot of dough, this carbureted sterndrive may be just the ticket. Equipped with a reliable two barrel carb and the Thunderbolt V Hi-Energy Ignition, this package delivers optimum midrange performance and fuel economy.
To make winterization easier, color-coded drain plugs are located on the engine block, exhaust manifolds and the circulating pump hose. The blue drain plugs are hand-removable requiring no tools. The exclusive easy oil drain system simplifies routine maintenance, allowing engine oil to be drained through a hose that exits through the boat’s drain plug hole.
A rev limiter is standard along with an electronic idle control, which aids in low-speed operation and eliminates shifting stalls. A dry-joint exhaust system eliminates a potential leak path, reducing the buildup of condensation and decreasing the threat of water ingestion for longer engine life. The standard audio alarm system warns of low oil pressure, high water temperature, and excessive transmission temperature, reducing chances of engine or transmission damage. A 3-year/300-hour maintenance interval for most scheduled maintenance helps you stay out of the shop and out on the water.
The 5.7L is available with a choice of Alpha, Bravo One, Bravo Two and Bravo Three drives, all equipped with maintenance-free Permalube® U-Joints eliminating the need for periodic lubrication. New shift plate designs and cables provide smoother, lower-effort shifting. Enhancing the standard MerCathode corrosion protection, all Bravo Three drives feature additional protective anodes on the anti-cavitation plate and propshaft. An exclusive drive lube monitor is conveniently located on top of all gas sterndrive engines for easy access and allows the lubricant to be checked from inside the boat. The drive fluid level is easily checked through the translucent bottle design and is electronically monitored through the Audio Warning System.
The 5.7L gasoline engine and Alpha or Bravo drive make up a solid, easy to maintain package suitable for a wide range of boats and boating life styles.
The Bravo Three® drive is a state-of-the-art twin-propeller sterndrive which provides faster acceleration, rail-like tracking through turns and lower engine rpm while cruising. The Bravo Three utilizes the concept of counterrotation to counteract the listing some boat designs experience with a single-prop drive. Superior gearcase strength, heavy-duty shafts, bearings, and near-net-forged gears provide the extra durability twin-propeller drives require. The Bravo Three drive also comes standard with the MerCruiser® -exclusive Permalube® U-joints which eliminate the need for periodic lubrication and a greasable drive coupler that is accessible from inside the boat. Both these features help reduce the amount of time your boat is out of the water during routine maintenance. Enhancing the standard MerCathode corrosion protection, all Bravo Three drives feature additional protective anodes on the anti-cavitation plate and propshaft and carry a 3-year limited corrosion failure warranty.
Power Trim XD with hydraulic memory returns the drive to the preset trim position in the event it comes into contact with underwater objects. And should an underwater strike damage your prop, it’s good to know that Mercruiser offers the broadest range of factory propellers.
The easily accessible drive lube monitor allows the drive lubricant to be checked from inside the boat while the Audio Warning System will let you know about low oil pressure, high engine temperature and low drive lubricant.
All this and a zoomy new look make the Bravo Three from Mercruiser a tempting choice in sterndrives.