Before the Bravo, Mercruser offered a Big Block Alpha which had 1.3:1 gears rather than the 1.5:1
Thats what I have on my Carlson. The previous owner installed it after he fried the original drive with a twin turbo 350. Gear changing is very stiff. He said because of gear ratio change??
I have not played with the shifting problem yet.
www.bravoshop.com offers a alpha to bravo kit, $1000+.