Surface drives tend to push the bow over. A hook would want to make the boat bow steer.

Hey..
I was looking at a 30'Sutphen with Kaama drives. The boat ran great, from a handling POV. The only problem is with parts availability. If I had the $$ I would have switched to Arnesons (since he had a hand in the initial design) I researched the twin-disc and worried about its RPM rating. I wondered if it was the right device for the application.

I have also had a friend who "dropped" a pair of Kaama drives into the Atlantic, due to improper bolt sheer strength.

Maneuvering is ok. Just remember that they're not called dock choppers for nothing!

Lastly, I think the Arneson plates "twist" in some fashion. K-planes, obviously, don't.

just my $0.02..

c

BTW: If you have the "roost" guards in place, get rid of them. One piece of debris, or a rope, tangled in the drive will put a real damper on your day. With out them, the object may be thrown clear.

The early Kaama's had stainless steel studs, which would shear. They later went to inconell studs.

This is an Arneson Rocker Plate in the "Rocker" up position, to give bow lift.

Here's in the Hook or down position. In the "Hook" position they have a lage effect on keeping the bow down, with little if any lost in speed. Not like a conventional tab which would create a lot of drag.