Exhaust Bellows

[tank1949]

No idea what you're talking about. Your sentence doesn't make any sense with reference to the comment you're quoting. Who is 'them'?

Boat Builder and/or MC is "them." I have been sued before. I won! Lawyers always go after the deepest pockets. The courts USUALLY decide the percentages of fault, if guilty.

 

[khe]

I know this has been a topic in the past but I wanted to see if there has been any new concerns or advice.
I have a 2003 Kayot V200 Deckboat with a 5.0L Mercruiser I/O. This past fall my exhaust bellows came off the lower unit. I have seen several discussions replacing the bellows with an exhaust tube or a bravo tube. Is that still considered an equal or better option for a boat like mine? It does have a large rear swim platform. Does that create a concern?
My fear is propelling in shallow areas and channel trimmed up or reverse moving off a dock trimmed up. I have heard the only real issue is the exhaust is slightly louder which will not bother me.

Installing the exhaust bellows is not that bad of a job if you buy or make the tool to pull them onto the drive.

 

[MeanGene1]

Thanks for the replies!
I actually called Mercruiser direct on their tech line to and without hesitation they (MC) stated to go with the tube.
Apparently some boats are manufactured with the tube in lieu of the bellows.

 

[MeanGene1]

Here's how it works...

First the drawing, so we all understand what we're talking about.

View attachment 338439

Remember, at rest water will flood the exhaust system and the level of the water in the y-pipe will be the same as the level outside the boat, regardless of tube or bellows. The level of that water is what's important.

The blue waterline. This is a good level. The distance between the waterline and the top of the elbow (pink line) is more than the required 33cm.

But the red waterline, not so good. It's likely the height difference is less than 33cm, so a riser/s should be installed between the elbow and the manifold, to increase the height. Risers are available in 75mm and 150mm, and if you needed more than 150mm, then you can stack risers to get the required height.

Hope this helps,

Chris.....

Very helpful. Thanks!

 

[Brentathon]

I know this has been a topic in the past but I wanted to see if there has been any new concerns or advice.
I have a 2003 Kayot V200 Deckboat with a 5.0L Mercruiser I/O. This past fall my exhaust bellows came off the lower unit. I have seen several discussions replacing the bellows with an exhaust tube or a bravo tube. Is that still considered an equal or better option for a boat like mine? It does have a large rear swim platform. Does that create a concern?
My fear is propelling in shallow areas and channel trimmed up or reverse moving off a dock trimmed up. I have heard the only real issue is the exhaust is slightly louder which will not bother me.

It’s louder.... I hated it... it was worth the extra effort for me, to install the bellows.