kaama drives on V bottom
 

anyone out here w/surface drives on a 30ish foot V bottom?

30'2" Formula. Kaama drives.

How does it handle? Cuda?........... Like a kaama... kaama..... kaama..... kaama........kaama chameleon?..........:p

It takes a bit of getting used to. It's not bad at all, it just that they are VERY tab sensitive. When I bought it, the previous owner told me to drop the tabs and the drives to get on a plane. After damn near T boning a sailboat, I decided to try to get it on a plane without any tabs. No problem at all. Just drop the drives and hit it. It will jump right up. I never touch the tabs anymore, unless I am running unbalanced and need to touch the tabs to even it out. I love them.

Any "porpoising"?... or does it feel like a common stern drive?... I've heard stories that there has to be a "hook" in the hull for them to work properly... what is your take?.... :eureka:

No porpoising at all. I haven't checked for hook in the hull, but I'm pretty sure Formula didn't make a separate mold just for the Kaamas.

I found with a heavy Fountain... it was easier to get up on plane with almost no tabs... just with the drives down... careful application of power to avoid cavitation.... thanks for the info..

One more thing... how is the direction of the props changed from right to left... I know how the direction is changed on bravos and SSM's.. but I've wondered on surface drives...:confused:

Oh yeah, it cavitates like he!! first getting up. The props will spin for a few seconds, then it's like being shot out of a slingshot. You get off the throttles in a hurry!:)

The drives articulate in all directions.

I'm sorry... I sould have made my post clearer.... not the articulation... but the rotation....:confused: The rotation of the props... you are running counter rotating props.... correct?.........:confused: You aren't running a reverse rotation engine are you ?

I believe the Kaamas run outward instead of inward. I had them on a 31 Formula and were a nice set up

It was a little tricky backing up and docking at first. But you get used to it real quick

The props rotate in.

Surface drives like Rocker not hook.....

Jon

i need a housing for a kaama or a complete unit with one to one ratio. any body know of one for sale.running it on a 30 ft. cobalt

I can see your props turn in Cuda.... but how do they do that?.... do you have one engine that runs in the opposite direction? Like the way the old inboards used to do?... or is the difference in the prop rotation accomplished with a gear change?... and where is the gear change?....

reed cant you see the props are in the plant box. :crazy: Rag's

Both engines run the same direction, the rotation change is in the transmission. Paul

This is my understanding: Surface drives like rocker to get the bow up because they do not have the ability to trim it up as well as a stern drive. The same thing thing applies to a stern drive if it is very high X dimension. This applies to non-stepped hulls.

What "rules" apply to stepped hulls?...... I can understand the reason for the rocker.... but how would it make a difference with the steps?:confused:

So... you have to get transmissions that can accomplish the rotational direction change.... I know on SSM's the prop rotation is accomplished in the drive itself. Same with Bravos... but Bravos don't have a trans.... just a slippery cone clutch...:D

They have twin disc MG 502 transmissions. I assume it comes either way.

Cuda, look closely at your trans where the shift cables hook up and there different the way they hook up. Paul

Reed, regarding step hulls, I understand that they do not require as much bow lift to run fast since they have the steps. Therefor, rocker is not needed as much as it is in straight hull application.

This is only my understanding.

Jody.... thanks for the input...;)

thanks for the talk on kaamas. i did not want to reconfigure & rerig my scarab if those drives didn't work well. this should be a blast!!!! i've heard a lot of horror stories that the kaamas don't work, i'm glad to hear all's good because i set up my transom to fit the kaamas.

If for some reason you decide not to use them, drop me a line. Also, if you need new boots for them, order them now! I called Archer yesterday. They won't have any for 8 weeks, I put my name on the waiting list.

Check out my add in Classified--pair of Arenson ASD6's for sale--

Poorsche
www.boatmat.com

Cuda...... The TD502 is a fully reversable tranny. So if you wanted to reverse the rotation you only need to play with the cable mount.

(fyi. On my cat I've got them spinning inwards)

AND IF THIS HELPS AT ALL............ I have a copy of the 1985/85 Options from Wellcraft if you were to order a boat........... The KAAMA package was offered on the 30Panther, 30ScarabII, 30ExcaliburCat, and 38KV.



Bob

how well does the boat back up & maneuver w/ surface drives? what is the difference between arneson rocker plates & k planes?

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.