SSM 3 mercruiser
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Moncton nb. Canada
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SSM 3 mercruiser
G day ! Wonder if I can get some advice on #3 drives ... Looking at a couple of boats in the early 90 ies with these drives - should I stay clear of these and stick to bravo 1 ?? Those 3 are they dinosaure as in parts availability or ??
#2
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Parts are available. I have a spare set of drives just in case I need one on a Sunday. But they are far superior in strength to a bravo. I'd much rather buy a #3 boat than a bravo boat.
#3
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it depends on if they are 3's or 3A's. the 3 uses a small spline prop shaft and props are hard to come by. the 3A is a better drive and uses a larger spline prop shaft so you can use the same props as a 6.
#6
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Generally, not much difference. Main thing is the guys who can rebuild them are farther and fewer between, than guys who can do a bravo. But, the key is, you'll be rebuilding them a lot less often than you would a bravo. That's where you're saving big.
#7
When I finally got my own boat 10 years ago, I vowed to never own a bravo rig. I have owned SSMIII's and SSMV's, and never lost a day on the water on account of a drive. I'll bet that you can't find a single guy that has run in excess of 650 hp on a Bravo that has not had a failure. The downside is that you are probably losing 50-75 hp turning the drive and transmission on the SSM, so you'll need to budget for extra motor.
#8
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Yes, it was tough to find someone here in Nor Cali. Everyone i asked said yes or they knew someone but they didnt think they had the proper tools I was ready to drag the boat down to Havasu 9hrs one way. Honker Cut Marine did the job.