Hi Biggus,

He didn't like the steering. Rudders have a different feel than directional thrust. Plus, there were voids in the transom where the pivot blocks attached that caused problems (I had similar problems. Not as bad as his, but still problems). Mine was easily cured. So much for the "perfect" built boat. Where the plywood in the transom ends there is a gap that is filled with bondo (or in the Doc's case, air) between the plywood and the bottom of the hull. Older tech in boat building. Now, the wood (or composite) is properly cut and fitted leaving no voids. I have seen quite a few installs on Marlin, AT, Midnight, etc. that have no issues.

I will never own another stern drive. Even if the boat was a little slower (which it is not) it is still way better than anything else. I use my boat nearly every weekend and don't even think about all the BS with drives anymore. Just put the boat in the water and go. That's it. I had a guy in the boat last weekend who owns a sister Cafe to mine (with Bravos). He almost reached over me to pull back the throttles when we would leave the water because he couldn't belive I had my hand on the side of the boat instead of the throttles. Everyone can continue to drink the black punch, but, I'll be out there having fun while the rest are "having drive" work done.

Mongo

ok, whats a pulse drive???

Hang time,

It is a trimmable surface drive system. Go to www.pulsedrive.net to check it out. Pulse put a drive on a 38 Powerplay with big power running 96+. Ask them about it.

Mongo

Looks like a nice system, but whats the damage.....roughly..........to my wallet???? Thanks.....

Depends on your motors. Mine cost 26K less what I sold the old drives for (8K) so net was 18k. That is a complete price including drive, trannys, props, completely new all hyrdo. steering, etc. Here is the final product...

Mongo

Imongo....did you buy that Cafe from Jay Castaline......it looks familiar..

imongo-Boat looks great,girl on the back looks great,but where is that?

Yes, it is a Jay special. About 2 years ago. Hull was great with no cracks or anything loose. Needed cosmetics. Blew an engine after about 8 months. Did the Pulse at 6 months. I now have a pair of TMP 525 in there and with the Pulse, all I do is turn the keys and go. The boat has run trouble free (knock on wood!) for about a year now. The motors are great, the drive is great. I've got nearly 200 hours on the motors and 250 on the drive.

The photo is in the BVI at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke. That is what I do on Sundays instead of watching football! The girl is my GF...

Mongo

I am in total envy. You live there right? Have you lived there a long time? Man, that looks great.

Hi Twin,

Yup, sure do. 25 years now. Sucks to be me...

Mongo

Now, all I need is a FASTER boat. This one only does around 70 something. Need to go FASTER!