Extension Boxes-Help
 

I am building a new 36' Cat and am going with extension boxes.

? is which ones? Stellings or Imco? And why!!!

Your thoughts will be appreciated.

Sonny

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

dont the stellings cost a lot more $$$ than imcos?

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

Maybe, but I am looking more for the technical pros & cons.

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

lathum is a very nice system. and i think they make a few angles too?

better check w/jay...set-back can make or break you with today's props!

the Merc ITS set-up is VERY well engineered.

again, talk w/jay about set-back and props...

ps...we have a set of complete transom ass./drives/ITS with less than 1 hour on all of it for sale. let me know if ya have any questions? if your not going to race that is!LOL :D

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

Sonny,

The Merc ITS would be my first choice. That is one very nice clean package that I hear a lot of good comments about.

The IMCO is my second favorite and when I was looking into them for the 36 most of the comments I got leaned more to the IMCO. Especially if you go with IMCO drives I would keep it a matching package. The arms for the steering cylinders are very nice, the price is right and there is little maintenance to them once installed.

Stellings has a great name in the industry, they have a good product, but you have extra maintenance with the carrier bearing.

Pro and cons as usual when trying to select the right product. I would sure listen to the builder of the hull and see what they recommend and have had good luck with.

Dock

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

Jay is completely in the loop as he will be rigging the boat. We are filling in the notch, therefore the transom boxes. He has not used the Stellings boxes before-only the Imco. What I like about the Stellings is the way they can be adjusted up or down. This would save $$ in a lower change. Jay says they have more parts-meaning more potential for breakage.

Anyone know for sure about them?

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

"Jay says they have more parts-meaning more potential for breakage'....this is always a correct statement in engineering. NVH is always a concern and more so when 'bravo' is factored into the system.

as a side note, if your filling in the notch(only)....you have increased the running surface from the last step. and effectively changed the center of pressure on the hull...

i thought jay had done extensive testing with set-back and his notch?...trying something new??

got my PM?

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

Sonny,

Have you checked on installing Arnesons? I've seen too many broken drives on cats in the 33 - 36 range.

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

install #6's and remove one of the shafts ...and be done with it...WAY better for resale anyway

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

In a new boat. Mercury i.t.s. is the only way to go. It is the diference between a carb engine and a efi motor. Both are good, one is more advanced.

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

i have a set of stellings and xr's for sale on classifieds, like new

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

I had a Stellings on my old boat and they are bullet proof. The transom or gimble will fail before the box does. If you do go with the Stellings, open up the bolt holes so you have slots. This way you don't have to disassemble the transom assembly to adjust the X. You'll want to use the Stellings inner plate, but don't go nuts on the torque. I overtightened mine and crushed the transom. I figured it out when the motor mount plate wouldn't drop in because the ears and shifted inward. Things never did fit right after that. With the Stellings you can do a drive alignment with a standard too. You need a special IMCO tool align the imco box. You also need to change the drive shaft to the longer IMCO shaft. This could complicate things if you frag a drive and want to get back on the water. IMCO makes the arms so their steering can be mounted right on the Stellings box.

Re: Extension Boxes-Help
 

Imco 4x4's are rated for 900hp. They are 1/2 the weight of the Number Sixes and can be installed in place of a Bravo on the transom. I have a nearly new set (take-offs) from a MTI cat that would be perfect for your Spectre. If you are running any kind of power you will need to step up from the Bravo setups. HOT deal on these.
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