BPM trimmable, non-steerable surface drives?

[Jeff]

Anyone know if there is a web site with more details on BPM surface drives?

They look pretty nice in their simplicity (though I'm sure they're fairly $$$)
http://www.raceboats.com/bpm.html

[Nomad]

I'll see what I can dig up for you Jeff.

[Nomad]

Just one thing what does BPM stand for?

[Jeff]

Got an answer from Rik on the Offshore Only Forums which was interesting:

Check out the Arneson Surface Drive Web site: www.arneson-industries.com

The drives are basically the same, with BPM adding a fixed trim cylinder, a longer propeller shaft and incorporating a rudder for steering. BPM has a licensing agreement with Arneson to manufacture their version.

I do not believe you will find a web site on BPM even though still make a V12 engine, there is no web site information on them that I have ever seen.

You can fix an Arneson and use a rudder for steering or use the steering system that Arneson has. Arneson now makes a longer propeller shaft that is the same length as the BPM one as well as a counter rotation drive unit, removing the need for counter rotating engines.

Rik

I didn't realize there was this close (licensing) relatioship between the two.

I think it would be a socalled Trimax...

That is what I have found about the system!

In the RC world we try and make drives like them. They are very good..

Morten

[FRANKIEFRANKIE]

NEED TO CHECK OUT THE PULSEDRIVE. THEY HAVE A FIVE YEAR WARRANT, PRODUCE THEIR OWN PROPELLERS, AND ARE TRIMMABLE. HEARD NOTHING BUT THE BEST.

Got to agree with Frankie,
I've been a couple of sport boats ranging in size between 23 and 44ft with the Pulse Drives. Nothing compares in performance and simplicity.

[cadillac]

BPM is not a Trimax. Trimax is from Fabio Buzzi and BPM is a small family run business also in Italy. It looks similar to the Arneson but they usually run it as a straight unit and unlike Arneson they put a rudder behind it for steering. The boat in the photo is the Spirit of Norway from Europe and the trim ram setup originally came from a farm tractor in Italy.

[frogger1403]

Trimax is not from Buzzi, he uses them quite often, but they produced by ZF Germany. They produce the transmissions for BMW and Audi, too.

Check their website for more information:
www.zf-marine.com/

[xrudi]

We are producing Levi Drives. It is a simple and safe unit. Levi Drives belong to the fixed surface drive unit and are relative unexpensive. The unit is produced in stainless 316L. The shaft is stainless 316 (or Aquamed) and if you wish we sell you one of our own Levi Diamond Back propeller also. We have drives in the field with 20 and more years of service. These propeller are made from NiAl Bronze. Our standard casting shop is FinnScrew Malaysia.

Please see our webpage www.levidrives.com

Best regards

Rudi

[cyclops]

The Chinese and Japanese have used that same design of powering their boats for over 40 years. What is so great about it now?

[xrudi]

What is so great about it?? We invented it and patented it about 30 years ago!!

Cheers Rudi

[cyclops]

If I said the Chinese invented gunpowder thousands of years ago. What modern company would say they invented it and patented it ?

[cyclops]

Cadillac. Look at the www.leviedrives.com web site. Then you will know where farm tractors go. Also check out their Diamond Back props. I thought he ment to say, " Black Diamond " propellors. ---------------1/2 a Kort Nozzle is better than a full Court Case.

[Frosty]

The art of placing a propellor on the surface has been around longer than that. How its done seems to have a handfull of manufactures claiming theirs to be better.
If your the kind of boater that goes for a spin on sunday afternoon then removes the boat followed by a wash and polish, then Arneson, ZF is the one for you. All that external hydraulics, rams ,pipes, rubber bellows( that never leak). Not to mention what all those metals do for your electolisis.

But-- if you have a cruiser that lives in the marina then you have to go for the 'tractor ' type St, steel housing St steel shaft, and bolted to the boat making this type of fixed Propulsion so stong you could probably jack the boat up under it. These systems run on normal cutlass bearings and go for ever. Just antifoul like the rest of the boat, clean the prop occaisionaly and away you go.

Can you immagine antifouling a beautifull arneson drive