Anyone have experience with J.C. Craft boats and/or Arneson surface drives?

[Lil' Johnson]

Hello all, I am looking at and most likely buying a 1988 JC Craft 243 open fisherman tomorrow. Does anyone here know anything about these boats? It has a big block ford with a velvet drive and an Arneson ASD6 drive. It seems a bit odd to me to see this drive on a center console deep vee fishing boat as I have only seen them on go fast boats and bigger yachts(that go fast too). Any opinions or insight on this setup? From my limited understanding, these surface drives are quite efficient and relatively simple and very strong. I plan on using the boat for offshore fishing. Any input is appreciated.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Anyone have experience with J.C. Craft boats and/or Arneson surface drives?

Definitely take it for an extensive test ride. They are not for everyone. Compared to other methods of propulsion, they tend to be slower to plane, take wider turns, and have little thrust in reverse.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Anyone have experience with J.C. Craft boats and/or Arneson surface drives?

and will cut off the biggest fish of the day every time!