single surface drive?

In an attempt to reduce weight to the stern of my 28ft sports cruiser and also reduce the maintainance costs, is the use of a single prop surface drive an option in place of the heavy mercruiserTRS11 outdrive unit?
I am repowering with a GM 6.5 single V8 diesel (thanks Carteret) and would like to explore the drive options, I presume "prop walk" would be a problem?
also whilst on the subject I have two SS matched contra-rotating cleaver props, I am told they are designed for "semi-surface" piercing use? what is the feeling on this?
Have a good day all,

Zingaroo.

 

Zingaroo<

I have some experience with SDS (surface drive systems), be ikt with larger vessels and as soon as I hear the "cost-saving" topic, I start to tremble.
First of all, a surface drive system, even for a single prop, needs pretty good calculation of the required propellor dimension and speed. A surface piercing propellor is way from the usual one that is much less complicated. You cannot just attach a random SDS prop on your driveshaft. Furthermore, you may still require reduction- and fore-aft gears so the weight of your geartbox still must be added. In the end your total weightsaving might only some kilo's.

 

Fletcher Zingaro

hi strange to find someone doing the same thing as myself I also have a fletcher zingaro currently fitted with a 300hp motor;diesel max rpm 3800 running a conventional shaft system spinning 18+19.5 cupped equpoise getting 32 knots / was very disapointed Thinking of trying SDS as well not sure though ps, let me know how your getting on, need for speed is a disease i think.

 

the fishingboat won

the fishingboat won ha ha ha ha

 

single surface drive

I see you are getting the good info.

 

Hi,
I have a single gas eng (330 hp) in my 27' center consol with a single fixed surface drive and it works very well. There are some pictures on the "Shaft through the transome" post. I've found that a much larger then expected extremly "Cupped" prop works best, so a gear reduction will be necessary.