Eaton outdrive risks?

[Fleetwin]

Re: Eaton outdrive risks?

Classic Boats and Classic Cars do not really compare, as stated above.

Most, not all, truly Classic Cars are show cars, not necessarily daily drivers. I just don't see any '29' Pierce Arrow Dual Cowls on my daily commute.

There are the true Classic Boats. However, you rarely see them, except at shows.

The boat and drive system question at hand is a very interesting one. For everyday use, I wouldn't touch it. For a true Classic to be 100% restored to original. Maybe.

What we don't know is what type/brand of boat this drive is in. Would the boat be considred a true "Classic" if completely restored?

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Eaton outdrive risks?

I believe the classic Thompsons used Eaton drives and Chris Craft bought them. I'd try posting at chriscraftcommander.com as those guys have talked about them before

 

[W_Guy]

Re: Eaton outdrive risks?

The boat in question is a Thompson/CC, made just after CC bought the Cortland NY company and put their name on a Thompson designed boat. It doesn't show up in any original literature, although a very similar boat does but with a lot of "minor" changes, and that boat has the Thompson logo at the stern. This one has no logo on the stern and only has the chrome CC script on the dash. The steering wheel has the Thompson logo. The hull number is one of the CC type, but the Mariners Museum has no record of it. (I've already sent for their package). It's kind of a "missing link" that was made when the last Thompsons were being built by Thompson, and before the CC designers started making their changes for the Corsair designs.
As far as the car-boat comparison, I realize a few things are different. You can't say a car is still original if its been repainted, but normal maintenance items are ok, such as belts, hoses, battery, exhaust. A boat however needs to be repainted as part of "normal" maintenance. BUT "normal" maintenance does not include upgrading the motor and transmission in either case.
Let's say for example that Chevrolet produced a very nice car with style and appeal that would make the owner happy to enjoy it, but the transmission had faults and was entirely unreliable and replacement parts were nearly inpossible to find. Now in order for the owner to really enjoy his car, he has to make a decision; should he upgrade the trans for reliability or fight through the never-ending quest for replacement parts to enjoy it as it was originally built? My situation is exactly the same concerning the boat. And to add to the considerations for the decision, let's assume that the Chevy and the boat are of a total production of only about 10-20 ever built. (Maybe less).
Sorry for the long reply.

And to answer Fleetwin's question: I have no idea if it would be considered a true "Classic" if restored. I only know that it is in excellent original condition now, and fully operable with its old Eaton outdrive. I feel that it is best to be left in original condition.