Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

I recently ordered a 36 Cat and some people are telling me that the boat is just too big for XR drives. I am being told that is just too much surface area for the XR's to handle. I really can't afford to put #6 Mercs on the boat and don't know too much about the Arneson's. Any advice and opinions would be appreciated. Don't many bigger V-Bottoms use XR's? They have to be heavier and more surface to push, right?

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Thanks troutly and Too Old. I was just given these opinions over the weekend and plan on calling both the dealer and the manufacturer on Monday. Just wanted some other opinions.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

i would agree with too old and the fishman :D , drives are pricey to say the least, #6 's , big $$$ .maybe look into the KONRAD drives.they will hold the tourqe, and you will have smooth shifting due to the use of a tranny unless you go to crash boxes. just food for thought. how much hp are you looking to pump out???

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

I have a pair of #6s wet sumps like brand new complete transome assemblysm for sale terry knows about them call me on monday 248 909 0240 jim styke

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

There's a 36 Nor-Tech cat in MI with Arnesons. It looks very sweet. I've never seen it run. But, talked to the owner and he loved it.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

The transmission is the key to keeping the drives together. For Stern drives, #3, #5 or #6, or better yet, a Weismann Stern Drive.

For surface drives, Arneson. Good Luck, Jeff

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

HOW MUCH?

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Hey Chuck, Whatever it takes get the #6 on the back of that boat, call me if you need more details. 805-896-6886 pacific time.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

You have to remember one thing about drives, they are what limit your use of horsepower in thre future. You get a few more bucks later on and want to increase HP you also have to change drives or change boats!

Of course today a Nortech with 575's and Bravos may be breaking 110, you are still at your limit.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

The boat is going to be powered with 525 HP's. Would # 6 mercs be overkill? Does anyone know what someone should expect to pay to upgrade from the xr's to arneson #6's?

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

As a previous owner of a CAT. That went through 8 drives. Taking off from the get go is very critical. Ease it out of the water and when running....keep the props IN the water. 6's are a little over kill, but Bravo's are not enough.......that's my .02 worth

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

I agree with this 100%. Anything with a tranny over 1200 would still be over kill, but boating with out problems should be what your striving for. Get something with a transmission, Good luck, you'll love your Nortech. Jeff :D

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Chuck,
Just read this post. Call me and I'll give you all of the pros and cons.
Terry Sobo
239-567-5050 x 14

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

There you have it Chuck, Terry will have all the answers to your questions. He is a nice guy and a staight shooter and wont steer you wrong.

Bob

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Add another car a month and get the #6's :D

It'll be ready for the 1200 Sterling's you'll get down the line! Anything else might limit your re-sale.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

A guy on lake winni has a 36 with 525's on #6's. He loves it. It runs around 99. As GLH said, go for the number 6's.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

This 36 Nortech cat was put in the water for the first time at the Destin Poker Run.

It has 525's and the NEW Merc drive. I forget what they call it, but it is basically a beefed up XR.

It worked VERY well!

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

arnesons... reasonable price and no ahcy breaky heart

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

I agree on the Arneson's. Other than docking, I think this be your best choice. 99 mph on a sexy 36 Nor-tech is not all that much too say in my opinion. Those #6 have to rob some power there. Sobo would know best.
Either you or the guy that buys it used is probably going big smoke so get it right from the start.
How can you deny that rooster tail you'll get for a bonus??

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

What about B-Max drives?? Or as said before, the Konrads seem to be doing well. Ask Biggus... he's got them on his boat.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Be a big boy...go with the 6's. The tail is worth any amount of $$$!

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Just find mcollinstns recent post and i think it will help you with your decision!!

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Thats Tommy's boat, great guy, I know him, but those drives wont last. This is a true offshore cat, its not a lake boat...There are never any bravo style drives that I know of on Skaters, so why put one on a Nortech. I understand the marketing niche, so since the Nortech is actually closer to 39' why not make a cut down version, which would be lighter, shorter, around 34-36' and then this would make more sense for the bravo drives....and less expensive. I know Tommys boat is for sale and at 299k its a super buy, not much more than a Spectre or Eliminator. This is just my take on it, not knocking it, looking at it from a sales perspectase. Thanks Jeff

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

keep the XRs and you'll regret it. they'll break and limit your upgrade possibilities. get #6s and you'll be wondering who swapped your 525s for 496s overnight. they will cost that much power in addition to costing an arm and a leg... therefore...

ARNESONS!

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

If you are planning any sort of power upgrade in the future, you will need stronger drives. I hear rumours that Merc is adding an intercooler to the 575SCi and packaging it with the upgraded XR drive, so maybe the new drive will be rated for about 650 HP.

After one season you will probably be ready for more power. You can supercharge your 525EFIs and make about 800 HP. Will the new XR drive take this? We don't know yet, but if you upgrade with centrifugal superchargers, they are known for being easier on the drive since boost is proportional to RPM.

Good luck; it's not a bad thing to be deciding what drives to put on your Nortech. You're getting a NORTECH!

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Just want to say thanks for all the responses. GL, why are you so down on the arnesons? I am going to call Terry tommorow and hopefully put this to bed. I think the arnesons are the only realistic choice for me at this point. Again thanks everyone!

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Hey Otis, I'm not going to make your run but I'll be thinking about you guys while we are running the Sarasota run. Let me know if you need help getting the Harley home. Jamie mentioned you might want me to grab it. Anything I can do to help out your situation I would be happy to do. Chuck

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Are you nuts?? With that boat you will definately upgrade to big power. Go with 6's now this way you are done in that department.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

My only concern is re-sale Chuck, only speaking of me I would look at a boat with #6's 5 times more than one with Arneson drives. And this is not a statement regarding engineering or technology it is strictly a marketability issue. Hell Arneson does'nt even answer their phone when you call them in CA (my experience digging stuff up for a friend).

Also I would be curious to know how expensive are Arneson's sized for big power (850HP+) compared to what you were forking over for XR's and how much of a leap after the difference #6's would be. You need trannies for both so that is not in the parameters.

Knowing you those mills will have whipples & intercoolers installed during the winter of 05-06 (btw local guy installed one on a 525EFI and gets 800HP) so plan like that!!! Is that Harley and those snowmobiles of yours stock? :D:D:D

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

GLH maybe you should check the #


415-485-0788


If it is too early due to time zones, there is and has always been an answering machine.

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Keep your eyes open for a 36 Nortech rigged with 1000hp/Weismans ... coming soon to a theater near you

:D :D :D

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

Chuck
Arneson's will be an excellent choice for your boat. I just put a set on a new Eliminator Daytona 30 with twin 775hp engines. The boat handled very well and the drive system will handle any hp increases you or I may move up to down the road. We had them apart in our shop for a look and they are simple, strong and lighter than a #6 by several hundred pounds.
Hope this helps to make your decicision.

Rik at arneson's is wealth of information and provides superior after sale service and help.
See my post in Bravo/Arneson conversion thread on Tech section here.
Good Luck
Ted

Re: Drives on a 36 Nor-Tech Cat
 

thanks for the info Tjthor.