Arneson surface drives

[scoutabout]

Re: Arneson surface drives

You guys need to check this one out: Surfacing I/O thing

I have been watching it for a couple of years. I'd sure like to see a drive without two 90 degree turns . . . With a biiiiiig swimstep, could even be a farely clean installation.

This is a fascinating piece of engineering, QC. Really elegant in its simplicity. I take it though it could not be a bolt on for a conventional i/o as you would then have no gearbox?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Arneson surface drives

Seems to me that a pair of surface drive units on an "offshore sportfisher" will provide lots of opportunity for snagged lines and lost fish. Good luck.

 

[QC]

Re: Arneson surface drives

I take it though it could not be a bolt on for a conventional i/o as you would then have no gearbox?

Correct, needs a clutch and reverse mechanism, basically a standard Marine tranny, Arneson would need the same, so did the old Merc TRS for that matter. I absolutely LOVE the straight thru driveline. No directional changes of power, typically eats 20 horsepower out of a standard I/O. Almost the simplicity of a direct drive inboard, but trimmable.

Seems to me that a pair of surface drive units on an "offshore sportfisher" will provide lots of opportunity for snagged lines and lost fish. Good luck.

Don't Outboards pose the same problem? With that said, not all boats are fishing boats. Not a lot of I/Os in fish boats either, but they seem to sell OK. I agree, lot of stuff back there, that's why I think it is for go fasts and family boats with a big swimstep.

 

[Gben]

Been kicking around boats in florida for 40 years. Surface drives : pros : efficient, low draft. Cons : startup torque, maintenance on exposed parts.
We see a LOT of exotic boats in the miami \ft Lauderdale area mostly areneson and mercury surface drives ( the less I say about 4 or more large out boards the less trouble I'll get into) and rarely a buzzi or spd....they all do a good job, maintenance being the Achilles heel...one of the best surface drives I have personally worked with is the power vent system on a don smith 45 , really works, 40+ knots on twin 400hp volvos, one outboard bearing and good economy.... I have no idea why the system never took off except maybe its best with a stern designed for it...they stopped making them around 2008-9 and if you can find one for less than $250k jump on it

 

[Gben]

Re: Arneson surface drives

Seems to me that a pair of surface drive units on an "offshore sportfisher" will provide lots of opportunity for snagged lines and lost fish. Good luck.

Its not so much snagged line as backing down, surface drives don't love that

 

[jbcurt00]

Its not so much snagged line as backing down, surface drives don't love that

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