357 Kaama Question
 

I have my eye on a 357 SR1 with the Kaama surface drives. Are that a good package? I love the 357, I just don't know if that drive setup is preferred over the TRS's. I'm assuming the speed is greater, what are the up and down sides to this setup?
Also how far back do they sit out from the transom? We do a lot of tie ups with other boats and swimming off the back of the boat. Do folks cover the props with something to keep people from becoming filleted? Or is it not really an issue?
Are they reliable?

Thanks
Bill

I'd say it is a problem for swimming... adults ok but kids...

Thanks Jeff,
What about performance and handling compared to the TRS drives? Does it make it harder to drive arounds the docks etc.

Pros

Fast strong easy to maintain setup. bearings shafts u joints are all avail. Roost is cool as well.

Cons

Can be tricky to dock (seat time can take care of this)
Swimming of the back is not that big of an issue for me or my son HOWEVER my wife is scarred of them.

Boots. the boots are the biggest thing. no one makes the boots anymore. some folks are using rubber tire tubes and it works i have spares and the ones on the boat are in good condition.

Any pics?

PS did i mention roost?

Are you eyeing the one here? http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o44784-en.html

I absolutely love this set up!!!!!! This is my favorite engine and the surface drives are so awesome! NOt to mention faster and 10% more efficient than a stern drive! That 10% in fuel is a lot bigger in today's fuel prices. :lolhit:

This boat needs a platform added for swimming and raft ups though.

There is good reason to respect these blades in the water. Injuries and a fatality has been credited to them but good sense and care is important for safety. Those who swim around them usually put prop covers on them when they stop for swimming and then remove them to go again. There are some really nice products for this that use a reminder lanyard on the steering wheel so one doesn't forget to remove the covers before starting off.

Hurry up and buy this boat before I get in trouble and buy it. :evilb:


Oh yea, TRS vs Kaama ............... for me that is a no brainer, Kaama all the way for many reasons.

what a great looking ride just have a nice tubular swim platform made and your good to go.

If you need info
 

I bought this unit of the original owner back in 97 and brought it back from Ventura Cal. to Ontario Ca.completely rerigged in gravenhurst from 98-99 including stotler engines. Sold in 2001 to NY couple, great people and they did a fantastic job on the interior down below.The boat did have a swim platform which was teak that I had removed and given to the them. Just the other day I found the original brakets. Out of the seven offshores we have owned this was our 2nd favorite. PM me if you would like the whole story.

P-ROB

Are you Bruce's buddy?

I had one for a few years with the original Kamma engines. It had the normal (for 1986) fiberglass swim platform and the props did stick out from that. I just bought two plastic trash cans and cut them down and they fit over the props. Held them on with a bungie cord. Cheap and worked well. Had issues with the trannies, had the re-built and worked well. Ended up putting bravo's with standoff boxes on the boat, so I could add a genny. Ended up selling the boat to buy a 419 Fastec (which I still have). That boat was a blast to drive and even though it only did 60 mph (original kamma engines), it looked like it was going 100 mph. I did not have an issue with docking, even though people told me I would. I had talked with folks that said the drives are good to 800 hp, but the weak link in the drive line is the trannys. I would think at 700 hp, you should be in for trouble free boating. That is one pretty 357. As far as the boat goes, those 357's are rock solid in rough water and with the Kammas, there was little or no bow rise when getting on plane. Boat ran flat and strong. Good luck!!

Wow this is great info! Thank you guys for your help. Its not boat in that ad, although that boat is beautiful. Its in Southern California and it looks like its missing the original fiberglass swim platform. And it comes with extra drive boots.

Heres the boat
http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/1145

The difference in price is not representive of the power that is for sure. I would choose the bigger power. That kind of power can't be had for the $3K difference.

Plus the red one has been desalted.

I have a spare boot if someone needs it plus lots of spare Kaama parts.

"At one time, not any more":eekdrop:

I didn't read the ad far enough to see the power difference. Plus rebuilt trannies, geeez thats a hell of a ride! The one I was looking at has come down substantially in price since that ad posted. Like almost $20k.

Down $20K wow! That sure gives a lot of room for work or mods. Makes a pretty good deal at that price if all else is good.

Keep us posted on what you do.

I had the very first 357 Kaama ever built.

Never buy the first of anything.

Kaama engines both broke in the first month.

Then both B&W trannys.

Then boots cracked and leaked.

After every thing was re-built, the boat was fun. Scott Porter's Dad was president of Thunderbird, and bent over backward to address all of the problems, including taking engines and trannys out of a boat on the production line in Miami to replace my broken ones, because there were no others available.

You'll notice that the Kaama option was dropped like a hot potato.

To close the story, Ralph Martin at Everglades took my 357 on trade for a 41 Apache.

Any chance you would be willing to let one or both of the extra drive boots go? Or do you have info to the owner I could call? Looking to see if I can source a set.

Boatman. I still have pics of your kaama 302 if it was yellow. that boat was sweet if it is the one.

was considering that boat, but ended up finding a low hour 272 locally back then

Carbiz, you have a pm


I think the Kaama boats are awesome. go for it. drives are much mroe efficient that TRS, and both need trannies anyway.
In my opinion, a kaama would be more valauble that a trs. since both are out of production now and boots are really the only issue.

Ramb

yep that was mine. some days I miss it