Bravo 3 outdrive

A

Arnold

Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2003
RO Number
12330
Messages
544
How do you know if a Bravo 3 outdrive comes with a Mercathod by looking at the outdrive.
 
Have someone run the serial number if you can find it.

Other than that, pretty sure you can't just by looking at the drive. If you can look in the engine room, much easier.
 
If you had one you would see it in engine compartment. It says merthacode. Usually blue or black box with 4 wire connections. I have seen them on the motor on top.
 
All Bravo 3's came Mercathode equipped. Wether it works or not is another story.
 
Actually I have a 2007 formula 31 with twin bravo 3's and no mercathode. I had to have it installed last year.
 
I am surprised with all the B3 corrosion issues Merc would even deliver such a unit to Formula or that Formula would spec it.
 
Perhaps if a boat was going to be lift kept or high dry stored it would be removed or not delivered.
 
Do not know why. Dry the unit pulls no power to speak of because the reference is not submerged.
 
Here is why I said if it is a Bravo it should have a Mercathode.

http://www.mercstuff.com/corrosion.htm

Note item #2.

If you do not have a Mercathode on a Bravo drive, someone took it off.

4roys, did you buy the boat new this way?
 
Look at the bottom of the outer transom assembly. The design may have changed over the years but there is an aluminum box down there for the bravo compared to the plastic discs mounted on the transom on either side of the transom assembly on the older alphas and earlier models.
 
I am told by a former merc distributor that all B3s were shipped with mercathodes.

However, engine installations were the responsibility of the boat builder and there were many issues uncovered that caused the corrosion problem. These included improper installation of the merc and improper bonding system install. Then there were numerous owner related issues as well.

There is a lot of information on the web about this.

The mercathode needs to be checked annually and you need to monitor your sacrificial annodes for excessive erosion on a regular basis. Always use OEM annodes with B3s.
 
I for one, would like to hear the excuses for pulling off the Mercathode off a Bravo III drive.
 
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