Does anyone know what "Surface piercing" outdrives are??

Hello AQ,

I think that Arneson Suface Drives are considered "Surface
Piercing Drives" or drives simular to Arnesons? Think there are several versions now out in the market place now?
I also think that Mercury also made a shorter outdrve unit that was sort of considered a Surface Piercing drive?
Am, not 100% sure of the name of the drive,,maybe Blackhawk??

Thank you
Jim

I can tell ya what isn't one.....a TRS!

arneson
kaama
trimax
bpm

Yes, Arneson drives are surface piercing, as were the Mercury SSM5's (which were shortened #SSM3A's), and the SSM6's.

The basic explanation is that with the prop shaft running on or about the surface of the water, the prop blades are out of the water about half the time thus reducing drag. That is until they pierce the surface of the water, hence the name Surface Piercing.

They work well but can have some issues getting up on plane and they also have some issues in reverse. Many of the big Magnums use surface piercing drives (Arnesons), and run very well. A number of very succesful race boats used Arneson's as well.

Surface piercing in 1979 TRS with a cleaver propeller, no water intakes on the drive so it could run as high as one dared mount it.

Surface piercing in 2009 Arneson , MCM speedmaster6, Trimax, and many others to choose from except TRS NLA as new.

Hey now, my TRS used to pierce the surface all the time !!!! Too bad that's what blew it up every year !!! :-)