Quote:
Originally Posted by Walleyedude
I don't think this is a new innovation, it's been around in sterndrive applications for a long time. Volvo has been using counter-rotating propellers on the same shaft since the early 1980s, and Mercury has had the Bravo 3 since at least the late 80s. It's proven technology at this point.
My brother has a Bravo 3 stern drive on his boat. I can attest to how good the handling is, especially at lower speeds, and the holeshot is incredible for a boat its size. The down side is a lack of top speed, and of course, the cost and complexity of any repairs and the lack of options when it comes to props due to cost and availability.
I know of a few guys running the Suzuki 350 on 20' Warriors, and they all love them. Great handling, good gas mileage, and completely reliable. The downside is they're heavy, and they're 5+ mph slower than boats with a Mercury Verado 350.
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It can't be cheap either. I doubt it will show up on smaller outboards - but a rig like yours (a heavy glass boat) I could see it.
For some, top speed seems to be the "measurement" of an outboard for sure - and if you make your money fishing then getting to the next spot as fast as you can so you can fish longer definitely is a big factor.
For recreational Joes like me, having less bow lift, more control and torgue are more important. Although I have a 9.9 kicker, my main engine still has a low pitch prop to achieve better control and hole shot - which to me are way better things to have.
Sure, I dropped 7-8 mph in top speed by going all the way down in pitch, but my boat, even with the prop it wears will go 45 mph (72 km/hr) with all my gear a tank of gas and a few of us in the boat. That's all I need. And, quite frankly, I rarely cruise over 35 mph.
For me getting to 53 mph (85 km/hr) and trading it off for way less control around the dock and not being able to troll the engine down below 2.5 mph when it's too choppy or windy for the 9.9 isn't a trade off for me.
Maybe this technology comes down to mid sized outboards in the 150-200 hp range in the future. I might try it (as long as it was an engine make I'd want).
But yeah, it's interesting. I didn't realize the Volvo was a true counter rotating prop with a separate gear and spline like this one - I always thought of it as some sort of "hydro static" type thing with a "clutch and gear" thing ..... pretty cool still.