Mercury Racing Bravo Three XR Propellers

Mercury Racing Bravo Three XR Propellers

Summary: The Mercury Bravo Three XR is a purpose‑built, high‑performance stainless steel twin‑propeller set designed for heavy, high‑powered boats. Its large‑diameter 4‑blade forward and smaller‑diameter 3‑blade aft configuration delivers exceptional acceleration, tracking, and handling. Compared to the standard Bravo Three, the XR adds generous cupping along the trailing edges and slightly upsizes the diameters (up to 16″ front/15″ rear), improving hole‑shot grip, reducing cavitation burn, and boosting midrange fuel economy. Each zero‑balanced matched set is artisan‑pro‑finished by Mercury’s propeller craftsmen and fits Bravo Three, Bravo Three X, and Bravo Three XR drives.

Robust Construction & Twin‑Prop Design

Counter‑Rotating Stainless Steel Props

Mercury Racing engineered the Bravo Three XR as a robust set of counter‑rotating, stainless steel propellers specifically for large boats with high horsepower.
This four‑blade front propeller paired with a three‑blade rear propeller yields unmatched acceleration, straight‑line tracking, and precise handling under load.

Enhanced Cupping & Slightly Larger Diameter

Increased Trailing‑Edge Cupping

Both the forward and aft XR blades feature much more cupping along the trailing edges, generating superior bite in the water for rapid planing and reduced slippage.

Slightly Larger Diameter vs. Stock Bravo Three

Compared to the stock Bravo Three propellers (front max 15.75″ diameter, rear max 14.75″), the Bravo Three XR upsizes the front prop to 16″ diameter and the rear to 15″. This modest increase adds blade area for enhanced grip without excessive drag.

Performance Benefits

Superior Hole‑Shot Grip & Cavitation Burn Reduction

The aggressive cupping and added blade area help retain grip during hole‑shots and combat cavitation—minimizing burn marks and erosive wear even under high load.

Improved Midrange Fuel Economy

Enhanced cupping not only boosts planing but also improves fuel economy through the critical midrange, delivering smoother cruising efficiency on heavy‑displacement hulls.

Acceleration, Tracking & Handling

The XR’s blade geometry translates to faster acceleration, tighter tracking, and responsive handling around docks and at speed, making big boats feel more agile.

Artisan Finish & Broad Compatibility

Pro‑Finished & Zero‑Balanced Matched Sets

Each Bravo Three XR prop set is pro‑finished by Mercury propeller artisans and zero‑balanced to ensure smooth operation and long service life.

Fits Bravo Three, Bravo Three X & Bravo Three XR Drives

Designed to bolt on using the same mounting hardware, these high‑polish stainless steel sets fit standard Bravo Three, Bravo Three X, and Bravo Three XR drives.

Conclusion & Recommendations

For owners in the 260–525 HP range, the Bravo Three XR represents a significant upgrade over stock Bravo Three props—offering a combination of durability, speed, efficiency, and control. Whether you’re chasing planing speeds, improving fuel burn, or just want zero‑slip hole‑shots, the XR’s enhanced cupping and slightly larger diameter deliver measurable gains. When ordering, remember to match pitch selections (typically one inch lower than stock) to maintain your engine’s optimal RPM band.