Is Levi Drives still in business?

Discussion in 'Surface Drives' started by DogCavalry, Apr 18, 2022.

  1. DogCavalry
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    The website hasn't been updated since around the last time Rudi Scholtz was on the forum.

    I emailed them a while back. Nothing heard.
     
  2. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

  3. DogCavalry
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    I'm guessing not. That's the same things I came up with.
     
  4. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    Are you considering a surface drive propulsion system for Serenity?
     
  5. DogCavalry
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    Maybe in 2 or 3 years. Not sooner. I just find surface drives intrinsically interesting.
     
  6. bajansailor
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    Absolutely! And they should be ideally suited for a Sea Sled hull form (?)
     
  7. DogCavalry
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    Indeed. In fact Hickman sold them together.
     
  8. DogCavalry
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    I guess no one knows.
     
  9. Crawpicken
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    Crawpicken Junior Member

    I have been thinking about surface drives as well for shallow water fishing and duck hunting out of a modified Hickman sea sled. If its the same company, I read a crazy post by one of the owners where multiple company employees were imprisoned in Malaysia.
     
  10. DogCavalry
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    DogCavalry Senior Member

    That's crazy indeed. Where did you see that?
     
  11. Barry
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    Barry Senior Member

    Check out GO-DEVIL Manufacturers of Louisiana - Engines and Boats https://www.godevil.com/ Gallery, then videos

    If the goal is to get as shallow as possible the Hickman sled is probably not the best choice. A flat bottom sled would offer less draft.

    Key component, an air cooled engine as you would never be able to pick up enough clean water for a water cool
     
  12. Crawpicken
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    Crawpicken Junior Member

  13. Crawpicken
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    Crawpicken Junior Member

    Yes, indeed. However, I am looking for a boat that handles (not just survive but ride included) rough water as well, a compromise of sorts. I live on a river where chop builds as soon as wind blows against the flow. Almost sunk a Gheenoe duck hunting once due to a winter front moving in a little quicker than predicted and had to cross 2 miles of open river in a 2-4' chop. Sold the boat soon after. I am planning to build a Bateau TX18 (posted draft 5") which will hopefully provide what I'm looking for.

    What are your thoughts on the Go-Devil type motors? I hear they are really good for their design and yes air-cooled would be better for shallow water. May be a good fit for the TX18, however, I've heard they are loud.
     
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  14. Barry
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    Barry Senior Member

    I have had no contact with the product but someone I know used to sell them. I am sure the environmentalists would have a fit as I expect that the drive would chop up some type of animal/fish/freshwater clam/endangered leeches
     

  15. Crawpicken
    Joined: Aug 2022
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    Crawpicken Junior Member

    What I like about the concept of a mud motor is it is similar to the design that Hickman used on his original boats.
     
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