Sorry guys. They can't find the mold.

After talking with them you are sure that was the original ? So they won't be made again? I am ready to go ahead and have another one made but I think it might be best to have it made from a NOS boot rather than my used one. Maybe someone will come forward with one. Can we get some idea of how many people are going to want them?

I used to work for Kaama. As far as I know, this is the only mold ever made. The company said, they could make a new mold if they had a boot to copy. I would think they would need a new boot that is not starched. I know that Wiseman (shifter) were using the Kaama boot on there surface drives. You might want to contact them, and see what they are doing.

Hey Offshore2,

What Company were you trying to work with for the original drive boot mold? I have been in touch with Dan at Archer Marine recently, trying to track down the replacement mold drawings that were done for the mold that he had made years ago, that was "thrown away" when the mold company that he worked with went out of business. Dan said that an engineer buddy of his that lives out of state has the drawings. They are of the modified "short" boot design.

OK, this is the story as I know it. Kaama had there original mold shortened a 1/2 inch, because when it strecthed, the u-joints would pinch the boot. It made for a more difficult installation, but it solved the problem. Kaama had the boot made by D&D Rubber in Corona Ca. This is the same company Dan used to get the boots from. As far as I know, Dan has never had a mold made. The owner of D&D Rubber passed away a little over a year ago. The company has since dissolved. Goodwest Rubber in Rancho Cucamonga Ca bought there assets. I have been speaking with a Mr. Ryan Sears. Feel free to call him. 951-288-5570.

I spoke with Dan at Archer Marine yesterday. An engineer friend of his made detail fabrication drawings for a mold that was used to make drive boots. It was either originally designed to be the short version or modified to be that. That mold was lost during the transfer of assets of D&D Rubber (he has verified that). Dan had gotten a $15,000.00 estimate to have a new mold made some time ago. Dan is trying to track down the old mold drawings from his friend. If I can get a look at them, I believe that I could make a mold for substantially less money.

Hey guys,
Got your PM TOPGUN. Looks like there is a lot going on with this finally. Just wanted to ask. Wouldn't a shortened version tend to rip or pull loose more easily? BCK and I talked about having a bulb or bellows in the boot right about where the gimbal joints are that would articulate when trimming or steering. Just like the boot on a CV joint in a front drive car. Kaama's don't move at anywhere near the angle of a front drive half shaft so maybe only one or two "bellows". Any thoughts on this? If the money is going to be spent for a new mold, lets engineer out the problems if possible. Can we talk to a company that designs or makes those bellows type boots? Maybe they have some fresh ideas or technology.

I don't have any direct experience replacing the drive boots. I am a new Kaama Drive owner. I have seen old posts describing that it takes three sets of hands pulling, and a hair dryer or heat gun to get the "short" version boots stretched into the receiver grooves on the drive housings and clamped down. I am all for doing this right. Who ever knows what is best, or what length the "new" boots should be, please let the community know.

earlier in the thread someone said they worked for a company that could do custom bellows for a reasonable price. I was going to talk to them but haven't done it yet. I am also ready to go on having a new mold made. As it stands now it would be made using my old boot as that is what I have access to.

Any updates on this?