Bravo 1 Outdrives & Lower Units

MerCruiser Bravo 1 Outdrives & Lower Units

Designed to replace the older Alpha One series of sterndrives, the Bravo 1 outdrive remains one of the best choices available for boaters on the market.

Mercury Marine has been a trusted name in the field of boat engines and lower units for decades. While some competitors choose to adapt automobile engines for maritime use, Mercury Marine designs its engines from the ground up to be used out on the water. This means that MerCruiser engines come without compromises or drawbacks from retrofitting, and can deliver both power and reliability in a single package.

MerCruiser Bravo 1 Lower Units

The MerCruiser Bravo 1 lower unit features extended-length torpedoes that reduce drag and a deeper skeg that provides a larger rudder area. This larger rudder allows for better steering response, a critical feature considering the operating envelope of the Bravo 1 engine. Designed to operate in single, twin, or even triple-engine applications, the Bravo 1 sterndrive is meant to work on boats meant for triple-digit speeds, and with gas engines that reach 600 horsepower or diesel engines with 370hp.

The superior control offered by the Bravo 1 lower unit will help you maintain responsiveness, even at the height of your boat’s performance envelope.

How many quarts does a Mercury Marine Bravo 1 lower unit take?

Like other Bravo lower units, the Bravo 1 lower unit requires lubricating oil to ensure its moving parts don’t suffer wear and tear. For the safest results, we recommend using three quarts of high-quality lube.

 Changing the oil on a Bravo 1 lower unit involves lowering the drive into the down position, then removing the propeller to access the drain plug. Once that’s done, you can use a screwdriver to remove the lower plug and the side vent plug, allowing lube to drain out into a waiting pan underneath.

Once the oil has been drained, you can start pumping fresh oil into the lower unit to refill it before replacing the screws and re-attaching the propeller.

How to remove the Bravo 1 lower unit?

Removing the Bravo’s lower unit is often necessary for maintenance or to replace worn-out parts. The best way to do so is by first securing the drive in a holding fixture so that it won’t slip or shift while you’re working. You should also mark the trim tab’s location before starting, so you know where to return it to when you reassemble the drive.

 After that, you’ll want to remove the Allen screw above the trim tab, as well as the trim tab itself. Finally, you’ll remove the ⅝ inch nuts from the anti-cavitation plate, the leading edge of the drive shaft housing, and the sides of housing. Once you’ve done all that, you can lift the upper gear housing up and away from the lower unit, allowing you to safely remove the lower unit.

 Along with Bravo 1 lower units, NuWave Marine also stocks an inventory of Bravo 2 lower units and Bravo 3 lower units, as well as everything you need to keep them running. We’ve been in the business of supplying outdrive parts and tools for nearly four decades, and we’ve got the expertise to match. Whether you’re a professional mechanic or a DIYer in your backyard, we can help you today!