Surface Drive Question
 

Looking at an older Hustler with Surface Drives but I know very little about them.
Are they more durable than a Bravo or TRS?
What should I look for in terms of wear or abuse?

Gracias.

I've been working on project to convert from TRS's (that got trashed by electrolysis from neighbor's boat in marina.

Touch base with CUDA -- he's got a Formula with Kaama surface drives and do a search of forums for Surface drives--there's a lot fo opinions about them.

I've got a pair of Arneson ASD6's with drop-boxes and the Owners/Installaion manual if you want a copy. If the bo9at has Arnesons call Rik at Arneson HQ. He is the Surface Drive guy in the US.

Let me know if you wnat any details and I'll pass along what I've learned.

Poorsche
www.boatmat.com

I knew there had to be a SEARCH around here somewhere on this page. My bad for not finding it sooner.


Thanks and Take care,

Clayton

What kind of surface drives?

They are Arnesons. I think he called then #8s.

The drives will certainly hold up to power better than a Bravo.

Just check the fluids and you are set.

Generally the hull needs a little hook for surface drives to work best. If you are looking for a great holeshot surface drives are NOT what you want, but for good cruising and top end they can work very well, but setup is critical. The installed height of th drive is very important, you really need to look at the angle of the prop blades to the incoming water, this is over looked in a lot of surface drive installations. It is very common to over trim a surface drive to get the cool rooster tail, this can be hard on parts, especially Kamma drives, I think the Arnesons are a little better.

Actually, any measurable hook can be detrimental to the performance of a boat when using a surface drive. Or better put, hook combined with a forward CG equals non favorable speeds.

Planning is dependant upon propellers as much as anything else. A lot of boats get on plane very easy and quickly with surface drives. We have 100,000 lbs yachts that can get on plane in less than 15 seconds.

Just like with an I/O the correct propeller can make a world of difference between a really great boat and a so so boat...

Kat-I think you meant rocker.

A #8 is almost indistructable. It'll easily take 2,000hp.

The mid 80,s Hustlers 32le in example have modified
hulls to take advantage of the Arneson drives.
They are fitted with Second Effort / Arneson
usually 16 inch drop boxes 1.33 to one ratio

These boats will break 100 mph with 600 hp
per engine.

The running attitude and operating characteristics
take some getting used to. Hence Stern High

I have had one for 4 years and are currently chasing
120 mph.

I would be happy to answer any questions you have
Call me anytime
Gerry
401-255-5242

Caveman did you dyno them puppy's yet?

hard on your box is full, give me a call

No

My machinist has the dyno connection. I am at his mercy
He notified me early last week that he would be ready by the weekend. That was last week.:rolleyes:

The problem I see is the closer we move to the season
the busier everyone gets.

Meanwhile I have been preping the boat.
Fuel System, Painting bildge and installing pickups for the intercoolers.

late next week I will install the port engine. I will leave the starboard out awaiting the dyno.
After we dyno the starboard , Jet
size , Plugs, blower pulleys. I will mimic to the port.

I love the surface drives. Mine is an 86 Formula. I don't know about hook or rocker in the hull, I've never checked. I rather doubt Formula pulled special molds to make the surface drive boats, but I've also heard certain boats don't perform well with surface drives. The boat tends to run flatter than most. As far as getting on a plane, I think mine jumps up as fast, if not faster than a similarly size Bravo drive boat. It is different getting up. You jam the throttles about three quarters of the way. The props will cavitate like hell for a second or two, then it's like being shot out of a slingshot.

By the way, mine are Kaamas, not arnies.

Wow what a great message board. It's nice to get so much info without all the attitude that other message boards poster give you.

I guess I will have to see how this thing handles as it seems that everyone tells me they manuver a little different than stern drive boats. The lack of low speed stability sort of concerns me but it sounds like surface drive boats more than make up for it on the top end.

later

Arneson's Rock !!!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]520886[/ATTACH]

is it the red boat with twin small blocks

Hi there. Im going to look at a 85 302 with Kaama engines and drives. He said the engines are original 454 450hp. What should I be looking for. I would like to call you on the phone and get some advice before I head down. Im Roy .I boat on Georgian Bay up north.