TxHawk

Im at Texoma and in Galveston. You might contact Derebery Performance Marine. We did a 28SS there this summer and installed new 350 Mags and used/rebuilt bravos. The entire project was very smooth. 903 786 3797, ask for Leon.

BTW, i think the power loss with a 350ci and TRS would be pretty substantial.

SinkorSwim

Can I get an Amen!

The Sutphen ran great at the Big Dick's run on Friday.. So why would you think I am contemplating the switch... boater's human nature..

Mid $30's to possibly $40 (resale),,, with the new power I plan and then dropping $10K per side roughly on Konrads, after my Tick Marine discount.. I now have 60K in a 20 year old boat.... That I can maybe sell for $45K and the new owner will probaly strip the boat for parts. Can I get somebody to slap me now!

You would think that there would be a marina out there that would get set up for TRS to Bravo conversions. The more you do the the easier it would become and I would think lower overhead. Oh well,, what do I know...

Its my birthday.. I am gonna look at some more porn....

cuda

It is if you look at boating from the purely economics side, but who can put a price on the enjoyment of having a boat rigged just the way you want it? I don't look at boating as an investment, it's a lifestyle, and I intend to keep on living it!

Lofty

I'm with Cuda. If your talking "economic sense" you're in the wrong hobby. If you're thinking about the back end of this deal just sell the boat "as-is" and go buy something more modern. If you want to build a real nice older boat, then forget about the money and just do what you need to do and enjoy the boat.

BTW, Stelling sells box's that will allow you to mount a Bravo without any transom mods or glass-work. If you're running small blocks you'll be better off with the Bravo anyway.

The Konrad is nice but I think the Jury is still out. No disrespect to anyone but these things haven't been around very long so who knows what problems might crop up. Also I would worry about getting parts on short notice. I doubt too many marinas and supply's will have Konrad gaskets, seals, etc. off the shelf that you can pick up on Sunday morning?

JohnJan

Regarding the whole discussion about boating not being an economic equation, I get it, totally. I grew up boating and don't feel "complete" unless I own a boat. Problem is I took a total bath on the last boat I sold, a 26 Thoroughbred that was rock solid reliable, fast, and totally dialed in. I think I'm still smarting over that deal and really don't want to get into that situation again if I can help it.

I'm really digging this old Cig and I want it first to be 100% reliable, maybe then spend some time and money to have it run fast.

Thanks for all the great comments.

cuda

[QUOTE=JohnJan] Problem is I took a total bath on the last boat I sold, a 26 Thoroughbred that was rock solid reliable, fast, and totally dialed in. QUOTE]

Did a guy name Jim buy the Thoroughbred?

IRONMAN

Maybe someone can help me on this subject I just lost the TRS due to the transmission to drive shaft breakage. It took out the outer transom assembly and the input shaft on the drive, Ouch!! Does the Konrad drive shift or does it require me to re-use the merc II tranny? Would a bravo be sufficient for 500 - 600hp on a 4400lb boat? What is the difference between a standard bravo transom assembly and a HD assembly other than $$ ? thanks.

Audiofn

You still use the tranny. What boat you running that kind of HP through? You are doing well if you are keeping Merc transmisions together with that kind of HP.

Jon

p4-33

Ironman,

When converting to the Konrad 540 Performance Replacement System (PRS) you can either use your existing TRS outer gimbals, or go with the Konrad outer gimbals and transom assy's. Both use the same transom holes. The advantage to the latter solution is there is a ton more room for beefier drive input shafts, yokes, u-joints. They are generally much heftier in the gimbal rings, as well as hinge pins, trim pistons, etc. I'll attach some comparison photos between the TRS and 540 yokes below. Sorry for darkness - the TRS's are in the back of my truck, and are going away tomorrow morning.

500-600 HP is WELL within the operating spec for Konrad 540's, and is also pushing the outer limit of what a TRS system can handle. I broke 4 TRS's (along with 3 BW trannies) this season alone with less power (HP500's) and a 8000lb+ boat.

And one more thing to consider, how was it finding parts when you broke your TRS? The Konrad folks can get me anything I need tomorrow, and with their bread-and-butter being the US Navy, I'm betting they will be building propulsion systems for decades to come.

If you're tired of breaking stuff, take a close look at what they have to offer.

Best of luck,
Brian