Re: Info. search
Magster -<br /><br />As a matter of fact, I was reading a "Boating" or "Lakeland Boating" article about this subject last night. I will look up the reference for you tonight. It compared V-drives and Sterndrives.<br /><br />The stern drive won "hands down". Better fuel efficiency at cruise (by 20%) and better top speed (by 10 mph)for the same HP engine. However, stern drives had potential corrosion issues if stored in salt water. The shaft drives do not have such a large corrosion problem. <br /><br />The article compared three identical boats powered by a 260 hp mercruiser stern drive, a 260 hp merc V-drive, and a 300 hp merc V-drive. The author concluded the running gear of the V-drive (struts, shaft, propeller hub) and the thrust angle of the V-drive contibuted to the lower operating efficiency. The V-drive hulls also had a prop pocket (tunnel) to reduce boat draft. A straight inboard drive would probably have an even greater thrust angle and boat draft.<br /><br />I have operated twin stern drives for more than 12 years on the Great Lakes and would not chooe to change to either V-drives or straight drives. I often choose to operate in shallow water (this season was very bad on the Great Lakes) and inboard drives would either hit the bottom and destroy the props. <br /><br />Happy boating, think Spring - <br /><br />erie_guy
