Help List All Different Makes Of Surface Drives!

[Janamon]

:rolleyes: Hi, every time I look at surface drives I come across one I haven't heard of before. I think it would be very interesting to find out how many there really are? If you can put a link to the web site, that would be great. Inquiring minds want to know??

[Mudder]

Here is our web site. We build over 30 models of surface drives. We use a belt drive system with a short drive. They are easier to run than the longtails, which we also build. We have some very good videos also.

www.mudbuddy.com

45 in Mud
DSL - http://tiny-link.com/vl.asp?h=1395461139HMVIVC&l=

Dial Up - http://tiny-link.com/vs.asp?h=1825461182YOYMQK_low&l=


45 six people
DSL - http://tiny-link.com/vl.asp?h=3115461311TDXVCL&l=

Dial Up - http://tiny-link.com/vs.asp?h=3975461397HLVZIO_low&l=


Thunder and Mud
http://tiny-link.com/vl.asp?h=0906087090GUQYUN&l= DSL


West Fest III
http://tiny-link.com/vl.asp?h=3416072341MBYYCG&l=

http://tiny-link.com/vs.asp?h=0856064085CPLEHG_low&l=

[LostInBoston]

Anybody know what type of drive this is and where to get more info on it?
http://n2speedturbineboats.com/apr1902.jpg

[Frosty]

Thats a niffty bit of kit, I like that , the rudder must move in the opposite direction as normal steering to steer the leg, Must be very sensative steering?

It looks as though most of the hydraulics are above water at rest too. Ive tried to think of a way to make some thing like this where the whole lot can be moved up out clear of water when at rest,--Even take the props off if you wanted too with out getting wet.
But No-- I dont know what it is.

[LostInBoston]

I eventually found out. It is a custom drive by MTT. The shaft is trimable, but NOT turnable. You can tell by the hydraulic trim ram connection to the drive and transom, only allowing verticle movement. There doesnt appear to be much though preventing it from turning.

[Guest-3-21-09-10-33]

Jack, just a question, You are an expert about surface drives? I wait a visit here in Pattaya by "Rudy" Rudolf Scholz of Levi Drive to discusse about is drive application here in Thailand. Could be very interesting if we meet together. Let me know if interested about.
Luigi

[Frosty]

I know Rudy very well, and Sony Levi. I am not an expert at any thing. Next time I'm at home I will come and see you.

[Guest-3-21-09-10-33]

OK, he was here last week but will come back in the near future.
Could be very interesting a meeting together.
Luigi

[Frosty]

Lost--It would appear that the shaft is free to move at all times( side to side) and steered by the water over the rudder. (like a yachts Hydrovane gear)where the rudder of the vane steers the main rudder. Or you could think of it as steering by a trim tab!! As soon as you engage gear it will make thrust and flow over the rudder, so you got steerage. Cool!!

[ted655]

Back on point.
Go-Devil, Prodrive, Gatortail,Mudbuddy, Beavertail
Anerson,Levi, DBD(?),3 or 4 more I can't remember at the moment.

[Misogynist]

Anybody know what type of drive this is and where to get more info on it?
http://n2speedturbineboats.com/apr1902.jpg
At first glance it appears to have a ball socket like an Arneson... but it wouldn't work at all like that. The thing would just flop about at the rear of the transom. What looks like a socket is probably a hinged pivot that only allows the shaft to pivot up and down. Then the rudder would have a direct effect on steering. Also, if you look at the joints of the hydraulic ram that moves the drive up and down, they don't have the ability to pivot sideways, only along one plane, up and down.

[ChrisN67]

I have a similar system on my boat and have been going nuts trying to find out the manufacturer. Common elements are:
Only vertical trim
Rudder behind prop
Rudder brace on superstructure connected soley to shaft housing
Oil feeder line to thrust bearing

Although there is not anything apparently wrong, I want to rebuild these units (at least seals;bearings if necessary) as they are over 6 years old. Please advise if you get a line on these drives. I have a post with pictures

[masalai]

Misogynist, & LostInBoston, Look carefully, The lower link for the trim hydraulics is not the key as the pivot occurrs at the transom mount and is in-line with the CV joint for the drive shaft when at normal drive position. Pivoting drive is the way as per Frostys comment. If not prop walk/torque effect would rip the drive off! as there is NO LATERAL BRACING.... :D

[Steve H]

I have a similar system on my boat and have been going nuts trying to find out the manufacturer. Common elements are:
Only vertical trim
Rudder behind prop
Rudder brace on superstructure connected soley to shaft housing
Oil feeder line to thrust bearing

Although there is not anything apparently wrong, I want to rebuild these units (at least seals;bearings if necessary) as they are over 6 years old. Please advise if you get a line on these drives. I have a post with pictures

I would be very interested in hearing your performance numbers with those drives.

HP
Length of boat
weight of boat
rpm
speed
prop make and size

I have a 42' Harley with Arnesons. I'm always curious about weight, props and speed.

Thanks,

Steve

[ChrisN67]

Center of Gravity Calculation

Datum=Transom

Under Sling Weight = 15,250 lbs No fuel

Wieght (Lbs) Distance from Transom "" Moment
5500 32 176000
9750 500 4875000
Total Moment 5051000
Total Weight 15250
CG Forward of Transom 331"
Location of step 350"

Prop Rolla 19.25" 25 pitch
ZF transmission with 2 speed splitter 1.21 /1.57
2 x Yanmar 6ly2 stp 440 bhp
Top speed at 3150 GPS 54kn

[Steve H]

Thanks for the reply! Those are excellant numbers. I'm sure if you disassembled those drives you would find the part numbers you needed right on the bearings and seals. I would be very surprised if there were any parts in there that were only available thru the drive manufacturer.

Steve

[ChrisN67]

Steve I openned the drives up and they we in bad shape. They had been worked on by third country nationals who though it was ok to knock in bearings and used form-a-gasket like they owned stock in the company. I did get most all the bearings (timken made in france but I upgraded to german FAG) with the exception of a needle beering. My problem is with spares on hard parts like the rudder clevis which had been damaged.

I have understood that it was an arneson knock off and the manufacturer does not want to have anything to do with it less he gets sued.

[Steve H]

Steve I openned the drives up and they we in bad shape. They had been worked on by third country nationals who though it was ok to knock in bearings and used form-a-gasket like they owned stock in the company. I did get most all the bearings (timken made in france but I upgraded to german FAG) with the exception of a needle beering. My problem is with spares on hard parts like the rudder clevis which had been damaged.

I have understood that it was an arneson knock off and the manufacturer does not want to have anything to do with it less he gets sued.

After looking a little more closely at your pictures I think that the socket housings are Arnesons. It looks like someone just made some custom thrust tubes for them. Have you talked to Rik at Arneson Industries? He is by far the most knowledgable person you will find when it comes to surface drives.

Most opinions you will find on this board are tainted by an unknown childish agenda when it comes to anything related to Arnesons. So if you are looking for an informed opinion I would call Rik. He is very helpful and knows his stuff!

Steve

[weehenry]

what type of prop is that on that single drive

[brunello]

I have a similar system on my boat and have been going nuts trying to find out the manufacturer. Common elements are:
Only vertical trim
Rudder behind prop
Rudder brace on superstructure connected soley to shaft housing
Oil feeder line to thrust bearing

Although there is not anything apparently wrong, I want to rebuild these units (at least seals;bearings if necessary) as they are over 6 years old. Please advise if you get a line on these drives. I have a post with pictures

Chris, most probably SBM, but surely not Victory Design. The logo "Victory" cast on the rams is not linked to a design of mine, but to a race team in Turin, owned by the man - I believe - behind this occasional SBM's venture into SD. If so, all seals and bearings should be pretty straightforward metric stuff.

[fleetwing]

Chris, most probably SBM, but surely not Victory Design. The logo "Victory" cast on the rams is not linked to a design of mine, but to a race team in Turin, owned by the man - I believe - behind this occasional SBM's venture into SD. If so, all seals and bearings should be pretty straightforward metric stuff.

After looking around and checkin they were assembled as a bastard system, to match the transmission, the drives were made by france helices www.francehelices.fr ,

[ChrisN67]

SBM marine is looking like the best bet right now. Even though they deny it....I cannot find anyone else that comes close... I was hoping someone out there has seen a similar system.

I chased down the above statement prior to Xmas with following results:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for request.
Pictures that you send are not our surface drives.
You can see our production of surface drives SDS directly by the link http://www.francehelices.fr/surface-drive-system-uk.htm
If you need more information or quotation, do not hesitate to contact us.
We wish you a merry xmas.
Kind regards.

EMMANUELLE BEZZI

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
FRANCE HELICES
ZI La Frayère 06150 Cannes La Bocca
www.francehelices.fr