what is this drive

[brianhayes1]

I have been offered what I can only describe as a hybrid drive,the local boat shop has two for sale at a good price if they are suitable I would buy them they look like a jet drive the are supposed to be surface piecing drives two blade props encased in a Nozzle the shaft goes through the transom to the running gear they have a water inlet on the bottom when underway water is drawn into the chamber and apparently shots out the back like a peecock plume inside the nozzle a small rudder and also a bucket like a jet drive at the back
it was explained to me that the best props are two bladed and this system address this, has any one heard of these drives secondly has any one ever drove two drives from one engine is this possible? cheers for your time please get the grey matter working thanks

[marshmat]

Do you have any photos?

It's possible to run two drives from one motor, or one drive from two motors, but it involves a lot more gearbox complexity than you'd otherwise need.

[brianhayes1]

cheers marshmat I have a few thoughts for duel drive from one engine will try get a photo of this drive to you other people must have thoughts on duel drive from one engine what are the pros and cons could this drive be a one off experiment it is professionally built and is a totally sealed unit come on guys between you all you must of seen every conservable drive one thing I forgot to mention was tolerance between the prop blade and the casing is not critical so I was told Cheers

[Bergalia]

Brian - as you are based in the UK, try contacting the 'Oxford Mail' newspaper clippings library. I remember that a chap from Abingdon (in those days Berks - but now I believe Oxon) 'invented' this form of water jet drive back in the 1950's and used to potter about on the Thames - Abingdon to Oxford at weekends. There was a large spread on his boat - 'The Ock' in the 'Mail' sometime in 1955. Sorry to be vague - but fifty years on and all that. However I DO remember seeing it in action. Quite impressive. And it was a double drive from a single engine.