Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

Rik you are correct nothing stands out like a set of Arenesons.

Any buyer that looks at an Arneson as a negative is misinformed.

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

The 388 ASD-6 I was in docked awesome, I was extremely impressed. It was actually much easier than my #5 set up on my Nortech. The boat had no il handling, we got up to speeds of 77mph, had a cool rooster tale, turned with the best of them. Even getting on plane, had barely any bow rise, took approx 1-2 seconds longer amount of time to plane up, which could have been the way the boat was set up. To me its a simple design that works, it is effecient, handles definatly more power, has a tranny, upgradable shaft, upgradable dry sump tranny, to me it's a no brainer. The problem I see is RESALE, and that is ONLY because of the MIND SET of the general public. Servicing then comes up, TMP has a set of ASD-8s on a 50 Nortech cat, they didnt have a clue how to work on them, they do now, and approve of the system. They also have had experience on the 388 hustler with TMP 950's/ASD-6's, one hell of a kick ass set up. There is another thread floating around on the 39 Cig with the Merc 850's/6's, I would bet this set up will pull even harder. I just think it's great that people are willing to work together and use something other than Mercury. Get rid of the frickin monopoly, there are better products out there, but we are hesitant cause no one wants to take a chance, we need to listen to the ACTUAL people who have experienced different drives than the continual say so, just my personal take on it.

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

[QUOTE=Biggus]Failure is not an option?! I think "good enough for government work," and "made by the lowest bidder" is a whole lot more accurate.

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

Welcome to the board Jackazz. You won't last long around here with stupid comments like that. Do a little research. :eureka: :eureka: :(

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

Is 6 years in the Marine Corps and the past 7 months in Iraq enough "research" to know that government equipment is garbage?

EDIT: You ****ing turd

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

We are talking about engines and outdrives for boats.

By the way, thanks for serving our country.

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

I know what we're talking about. Biggus said that the Konrad 540 has an advantage because the Navy was involved in its design. I said, based on my personal experience, that gov't involvement is not always a good thing.

To add my opinion on the setup, I would go with the stock mercs. Will a custom "blow by" you at a poker run? Probably. But are you going to keep the boat forever? Probably not, and it's nice to get some of your money back on the other "happiest day for a boater."

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

Arneson is a great drive in certain applications, But again I've been in and have driven 2 arneson boats and prefer a bravo or speedmaster. People in my market are just very conservative and want resale, and wont even look at a Arneson boat. I'm not down on the drive, Its good for higher hp applications and rough water applications and Jazz is right has a tranny and simple. wish I could convince my customers in the midwest to use it, but It will just not sell here. All people care about here is resale it seems. Boat sales are soft right now and a Merc bravo boat will sell before a arneson boat. Merc has such a stronhold on the market everyone is just scard to change even though there are actually better products out there for less money. Personnally would have an naturally aspirated 750-800efi hp motor with merc 6 drive and be done, or the Ilmor 625 with merc 6 or Konrad would be a great lower hp package.

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

Like I stated, and Jassman confirmed, you need to ride in a modern boat with the drives on them before you make such claims.

An old staggered setup is nothing when compared to a side by side regardless of whose drives they are and the members on here that I mentioned can confirm the ABILITY to dock and maneuver.

Re: Which Engine/Drive Package???
 

Good post, another point is that all of us know and love our fav independant builders, mine personally is Larry Peto of Larrys Engine and Marine. He builds the engines for "Preadator" and send alot of boys home crying every year out here. Point is I would buy a used TMP or Peto or Pfaff before I would get behind Merc. You guys have heard me whine about the 496 HO being a piece of crap and with good reason, it is (I've gone through 3 in a year ).
Blue paint doesn't make you go fast, it makes your engine blue and marketing will not make your boat go anywhere. Quality and consistency should be your top priority when making a purchase followed by whatever your budget is and Wiggler if you have a Nor Tec you shouldn't be worrying about resale you should be worrying about getting punked out by another boat 1/10th the cost of yours :D
Merry Christmas everyone. :eek: :eek: