Surface Drives

kingpin · 09-30-2002, 06:32 PM

Hey folks, wondering if anyone has any experience with surface drives, .....ease of repair, how do they handle big power, etc. I don't really know anything about them & just want a heads up on potential problems

THANKS!!!!!

Waterfoul · 09-30-2002, 06:47 PM

I'm no expert either, but I think it is pretty much an across the board thing that they will handle more power than a standard drive will (Bravo, Cobra, even some of the SSM drives). As for repair....no idea. I do know that there are some (one?) that you can change gear ratios whit the boat sitting on the trailer at the ramp.

kingpin · 09-30-2002, 07:12 PM

Thanks 'foul, I don't know anyone that has them & I had heard kinda the same thing...........just wanted to know about repairs because if it's going to break it'll break as soon as I buy it!!!! Guaranteed!

Mark in So. MD · 09-30-2002, 07:16 PM

From what I hear they are bullet proof if you install them correctly. Cheaper than a number 6, less weight and you run faster. Here is an older post that talks about them some, you might get some info off of it.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forum/sh...threadid=30856

pantera38 · 09-30-2002, 08:26 PM

Hi guys,
I've have an Arneson model 17-21-003 (same as ASD6) on my 1985 22' Avanti powered by a 454. I've had the boat for the past 10 years and have been very pleased with it. A few years ago I had the drive rebuilt with new bearings and seals. The steering and trim cylinders are very basic and it is easy to perform maintenance on them and the drive.
I've been very happy with it, but I don't push the boat hard. It has just over 300 hours on it.

I just bought a 38' Pantera, which needs engines and drives. It was originally equipped with SSM #6 and if I can find another set of Arneson's at a reasonable price I will probably install them.
I don't have the money for #6's and have read alot of horror stories of the Bravo.

Do you know how much the new ASD6 units are? I haven't gotten any quotes yet.

Oh by the way, If you know anybody looking to buy a boat with an Arneson drive, my 22 Avanti will be up for sale. I need to raise cash for the engine + drive for the pantera. 15k - very good shape
Lou

Interceptor · 09-30-2002, 09:21 PM

Pantera38,
What must be done to the transom to accept other drives ?

OffshoreOnly · 09-30-2002, 09:29 PM

Kingpin,

Go to the offshoreonly links and look for Surface drives. You will see pulse there. Call them, they have good knowledge if you have questions.

kingpin · 09-30-2002, 11:12 PM

Thanks fellas!!!

pantera38 · 10-01-2002, 12:46 AM

Interceptor,
To change to the Arneson drive, you have 2 options for the transom.
The first is to plug and reglass the transom and then drill new mounting holes for the drive, trim cylinder, and steering cylinder. The second is to purchase the stand off box that is available for the conversion. It saves money on the reglass of the transom and insures that all the locations for (trim/steering) are correct. It also provides more space for the Velvet Drive transmission that is required. I'm pretty sure the motor will need to be moved forward to make room for the trans. So if your engine bay is small, the stand off box would be the way to go.
You also will need a PS pump on the engine as well as a trim pump for the drive ( i think they both come in a kit with the cylinders).

There is a good article on the web about the conversion to an arneson drive on a donzi, but i'm not sure where i saw it. try a google search for donzi and arneson and maybe you'll get lucky.

Lou

NASTY HABIT · 10-01-2002, 06:27 AM

That conversoin on the Donzi was on the Donzi site a while back

www.donzi.net in the tech section