MerCruiser has been a leading manufacturer of boat propulsion for decades, and they have designed and built many of the most popular stern drives in the boating industry.  Since the 1950's, Mercury/MerCruiser has been a leading developer of stern drive technology.  They introduced the Alpha series in 1983, which is still the most popular stern drive model being sold today.  However, in the mid-1980's, MerCruiser introduced the Bravo series of stern drives.  The Bravo stern drive stands apart from its Alpha predecessor for its robust and heavy-duty design and components, and its overall performance.

The Alpha series of stern drives are largely considered to be MerCruiser's value option of stern drive.  It's more affordable than the Bravo series, produces minimal drag and is fairly resistant to corrosion compared to other stern drives.  The Alpha's thru-propeller exhaust allows for quiet operation, and it's a fairly easy drive to maintain and repair.  However, the performance of the Alpha pales in comparison to that of the larger Bravo drive.

MerCruiser Bravo OneMerCruiser has produced three different Bravo models: the Bravo One, the Bravo Two and the Bravo Three.  The Bravo One uses larger components than the Alpha, and is just stronger overall. It uses a cone-shaped clutch, allowing for better shifting than an Alpha. You can feel a solid "thump" when you engage a gear with the Bravo drive.  Engaging a gear on an Alpha drive does not feel nearly as powerful or substantial.  The Bravo One focuses on high-performance boating; it is used with single, twin or triple engine applications and can produce speed up over 100 MPH for gas engines up to 600 HP.

The more fuel-efficient Bravo drive is the Bravo Two.  The Bravo Two can't reach the top speeds of the Bravo One - it is designed to reach speeds up to 55 mph for gas engines up to 450 HP.  If you're interested in getting up to plane fast, the Bravo Two can accommodate.  The wider gear case design allows the drive to accept larger propellers that measure up to 20 inches in diameter, offering quick planing and better fuel efficiency.  The Bravo Two is designed exclusively for use with twin-engine applications.

The Bravo Three is a skier's dream, as it has more bite so the hole shot is superior.  It offers similar quick planing like the Bravo Two, and with dual counter-rotating propellers, it's easier to control.  The handling and efficiency are much improved over other Bravo models.  It won't reach the speeds of a Bravo One, since it tops out at about 65 mph for gas engines up to 525 HP. However, it does have faster idle speeds to make no-wake zones easier to travel through.  The Bravo Three is more susceptible to corrosion, so it is recommended to use this drive only in fresh water applications.

No matter which stern drive you use, we highly recommend you perform regular maintenance on them. And when you're ready, Marine Parts Source has the items you need to get your drive in top working order.  If you've got more questions about your stern drive, or need help identifying the correct repair or maintenance items for your drive, just give us a call!