T&T: Mercruiser Big Block Chevy

[Bob Austin]

John,
Best place to ask that is on the mechanical section of Boat fix.com.  The 454
had some short commings--I owned several in RV's.  They were good work horse
engines--used in trucks and in my 1973 Cadillac which got 8 mpg!  They are
getting a bit long in the tooth--unless fresh water cooled.  I only know about
the Radons--but cats ride a lot better and will get better mileage. The Radons
were very popular with the abalone and sea anemoae divers.  They were semi
displacment at 12 knots--didn't really plane until about 18 knots.  Solid
hulls.  But I think he is buying into old technology, which in the long run
may cost more than more modern boats.  The other issue is Bravo III outdrives
and corrosion--there are major problems there in a boat to be operated in salt
water..  I know that some folks have had good luck with them--but I have not.
I hit a 1 1/2 inch stick at slow speed, and it started to shed gear teeth in
the lower unit.  There are huge forces with the counter rotating props.  I
recently sold my boat with a Mercruiser outdrive (after replacing the outdrive
for 7K) and went to twin large outboards--more effecient and greater
longivity--plus no corrosion problems if properly cared for.

Bob Austin