outdrive question for "new" scarab.

dbdiver · 07-17-2006, 09:40 AM

I've just purchased my 1st real power boat. Its a 85 scarab II.
Boat is a recovered theft. Everything that could be stolen, was.
I bought a set of speedmaster outdrives from seller of boat, but my parts supplier is telling me that they sit to deep and I will sacrifice about 10 mph over trs drives. Posted this question on general Q&A but no answers. Please help.
chris.

phughes69 · 07-17-2006, 10:56 AM

Hi Chris, I don't know the exact dimension on the speedmaster II outdrives, but I can tell you that they do sit deeper in the water that the regular TRS drives. A Speedmaster II out drive is a TRS upper with a speedmaster lower. They are not designed to have the exhaust routed thru them like a TRS outdrive is. If your boat was originally built with TRS outdrives then switching to speedmaster drives will be a waste of time and money. The speedmaster outdrives are on par or a little weaker than TRS outdrives, and if your X dimension is not raised to compensate for the longer depth of the outdrive then you may be losing MPH because the props you are required to use with SSM II drives are surface piercing and don't work as efficiently if they are submerged. I have a 38 scarab that originally came with twin turbo BBC and speedmaster II drives. I learned a lot from people on this board about the drives. Look up my user name and you'll see my questions about the SSM II drives.

dbdiver · 07-17-2006, 10:04 PM

thank you for input, my transom holes are stock . not raised so it looks like the wrong drives. Trying to float boat yet this summer, so i guess I will be looking for drives this winter. Any other thoughts or replies greatly appreciated.
chris

phughes69 · 07-18-2006, 12:12 AM

Chris, did you already buy the outdrives? If not there are a pair of fresh rebuilt TRS drives in the swap section for $3800. Do you have any pictures of the boat?
Patrick

PIGPEN160 · 07-18-2006, 02:03 PM

Hi Guys

I Too Have A 38 Scarab With Trs Drives. I've Thought About Changing Drives As I'm Pushing 650 Hp. Any Insight On The Konrad Conversion?

Biggus · 07-19-2006, 09:14 AM

Here's a bit of insight for ya! Most of the folks on this board know my story but here it goes!
I've got a heavy old Cigarette Top Gun. During the summer of 2003, I had upped my power and proceded to explode my TRS drives. (they work pretty well under 500 hp) By the end of 2003, I had gone through 6 TRS units.
While cruising the isles at the '04 Miami Boat Show, I visited the Konrad booth. I was very impressed with their product and upon return of the show, decided to haul my boat out to the Konrad plant in Hudson, Wisconsin for a full Konrad conversion. Not only did I now eliminate drive failure, I had gained 5 mph to boot.
Fast forward to present. Not only was I impressed with the Konrad product, I was just plain blown away at how well the company is run and the quality people behind it. I began working for Konrad shorty after and have had the pleasure of helping this company grow into a serious contender in the sterndrive market. Konrad is now the largest drive supplier to the US Navy and many other government entities as well.
The performance boat market is still relaively new to Konrad but we're extremely proud to say that since we've entered the market we've yet to have a failure with one of our drives. This success can be attributed to the fact that they were first and foremost, designed for the military under combat conditions. The boys over seas run them 24/7.

Back to the TRS conversion. It's a complete bolt on system. No modifications at all. a twin engine boat can be done within a days work and then you can say goodbye to drive failure.

Kurt

kurtf@konradmarine.com