T2x I have re-read my post and I see how I might sound greedy. I have no interest in "cloning" the drive. I do not believe in copying others. It is probably patented. I am young and unexperienced. I would like to see pictures or something. there is a lot of talk about the drives and I don't even know what they look like. I want to learn as much as I can from the past generations of boat and propulsion design. My generation is the future. And as of now it seems we are losing more history than we are gaining. I aspire to someday know of the marine history which you do. Without the help of people like you training the younger generation like myself, the world will get lost in virtual reality computer games. There is nothing more I want that to go out and scream across the water in a record breaking boat of my own design. I just don't want the next boat racers to be some rich kid with daddy's money buying their way into the history books. To have a technological leap we must learn from the old and build new. Not rebuild the old.

http://tamug.tamu.edu/~egk9566/
boat design link has tons of hull and drive pictures

Boy...you're good..... Have you ever thought about a career in sales?......

The drives we built were designed to handle 2500-3000 lbs of torque...... and spin 24" diameter wheels. I doubt that you're electric project will require anything like that. But the concept might be helpful...... Essentially we mounted two custom drop gear boxes between the two motors on each side..(one mounted in reverse). These boxes had variable gear sets from approx 1:1 to 2:1.
The output shaft was literally inches over the sponson bottom and ran under the aft motor to the transom. At that point it mated to the drive/thrust bearing with a center line approx' 3" above the sponson bottom and 3" inboard from the tunnel (optimum location)..... The shaft traveled through a fixed cast aluminum housing to a strut/wet bearing approx 4' aft. The strut was hollow above the prop and had a wedge/Kamm back that was perforated to allow aeration to the prop while planing (That one was my idea). The drive systems were truly bullet proof...... The Batten Engines.... sadly.....were not.

T2x

Sales will corrupt ingenuity, so skip that

If you are interested in the boats (mechanical) more than the (static) structures, why not focus more on the naval architecture now, rather than spending your entire career trying to get back to what you may be more naturally cut out for. I believe technology must be in your blood to be successful.



I agree with the suggestion about the choice of boat for this quest. Remember, form follows function. A 24' skater was not designed from the ground up to be the most efficient 75 mph smooth water boat with one occupant and a minimal durability requirements.

I'm guessing the drives look a lot like the "newly invented" drives on the Fountain Scism boats yet the newer drives are slightly trimmable. I pondered about it last night and have decided to start with a hull that I already have and design the motors as outboards for now. This will give me the most ability to trim. I can add a jack plate and basically change the location or add motors very easily and I can mount them as far back from or as close to the transom as I need. I can even build a system to mechanically move the motors in an out from the transom. I think this would help balance the boat. What are your thoughts?

I am at this school getting a degree in Offshore structures. Which is structural engineering I will eventually get take the FE and PE and will be able to stamp plans with an engineering seal. I like design work, would rather design boats, but there is a lot of money in structure. It will eventually pay for my boating. Plus my dad paid for school until I got married and this is what he wanted to pay for, now I am almost done.

Check out this website and they are in my area. Do you think I should talk with them?

WWW.feys.org

http://tamug.tamu.edu/~egk9566/

t

An opportunity to buy one of the nicest and FASTEST 32 Skaters EVER built may be fast approaching. I have been told by a very reliable source that the famous KING STING from Lake George, NY is about to be sold. I was told that the King Sting and Lady Lori (Tom Gentry's old Hacker Craft with Arneson Surface drives and alligator skin interior) are coming up for sale. Apparently, the owner has had his fill of these 2 and it has been said that Peter Hledin is designing his new 40 ft. hull which will be constructed by VanDam boats. There is another gentleman on Lake George that recently purchased a Van Dam and it is aboslutely beautiful. The King Sting is one in a long line of incredible speed machines by the same name. This partiuclar boat is teh first and I believe only boat to break the 100 MPH barrier on Lake Tahoe. Last year in Gananaque at the 1000 Islands Poker Run he was the fastest boat there. Including beating MY WAY and the 50 Nor Tech with Quad motors (the name escapes me). It should be neat to see who buys it and what they do with it.

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Okay guys by way of introduction..........

John Sherlock........ multiple time champion tunnel boat racer.....ex World Outboard record holder........ ex Serralles offshore and formula one crew chief.... Rums of Puerto Rico.....Crystal... Current Lake X...soon to be Site X project manager....... and an old and trusted friend.

Welcome to OSO Mister Sherlock.

T2x