Best Drive Showers??
 

It's that time of year to make a list of goodies for the boat. Drive showers are on my list, so who makes the best looking, but yet most ~cooling~ drive showers? I've owned Eddie Marine before, any others?

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Was a discussion on this just 2 weeks ago. Might go back and check it out. Plus many other topics on showers that will pop up in a shower search.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Robert Nelems just installed Simrek Halo's on my XR's. Went off his experience with them.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Simrek Halo here too. I can't see how other designs could work any better. Formula uses them OEM on all boats they build with BIII's.

Here's a pic of mine. Install is easy. You do drill the cavitation plate but I spreayed it with Merc black paint and it's been fine. According to Formula, they don't bother and have never had any issue come back.
http://www.searayowners.com/pics/Sea...34_Transom.jpg

Whao!!!! That's cool! Let me know if you get the image that says the pic is too big and to click to view! That must be new! :evilb:

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

One word........Simrek.


Simplest...cheapest...coolest :cool:
www.driveshowers.com

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I use, and am happy with the Simrek "halo" style driveshower as well. It has been tested by Jim Wilks in Hot Boat Magazine a few years ago using their new 90* pick-up and it shows to work very well by reducing the heat I think by as much as something around 50*+ or so.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I went and read several other posts on drive showers, great info.. Sounds like the Simrek halo is a good choice with the patented water pick-up. I have a 28 Daytona cat with twins, so would the Simreks' still get plenty of water up through them with the drives being higher?

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Harper, call Paul Kermis. He's the owner of Simrek. He's also a mechanical engineer. I am sure he can answer your questions. Just click on the word icon "driveshowers" that Mopower has in his post and it will take your right to Simrek's website. His phone number should be in there.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I checked out the site, very informative.. I think I will order two of these after talking with them to determine which one I will need. thanks for all the help... :D

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Billet Marine. You get the additional advantage of the better designed bearing support housed in the top cap. High X dimensions could greatly affect the amount of water available for the cav mounted water inlets. There are a couple of much better methods of supplying water to the top cap. The other speed site has a thread on this very subject.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Billet Marine. Use their stronger caps with integrating cooling. Less chance of having problems with your left hand turning drive that is pushing up on the cap.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I also have the Halos from Simrek. After looking at the drive while just cruiseing watching the shower work, I'm a life long supporter for Simrek.


I notice he is offerring 10% off on group buys of 4 or more and 15% on 6 or more. Your 1/2 way there yourself. Might be worthwhile to start a new topic looking for a couple more buyers to get the discounts. Seems this time of yr everyone is looking for group buys to get ready for the season, and seen a couple other guys asking about them recently. Should be no problem getting the 6 for 15% off.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Too Old- Your claims make plenty of sense.. I'm sold on the water pick-up design of the Simrek. They had actual photos of massive amounts of water dumping on the drive from several ports.

IMO, you could take any of these top cap drive coolers and put the Simrek water pick-up on them and they would probably work much better.

P.S.- I called you on Friday to order a gps speedo and a lady took my name and number, but never heard back from you. Still need to order one... thanks pm me

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Too Old, sound advise. But...

I feel that the articles from the Simrek website that include the independent testing of his drive shower has to hold water because it was done by Hotboat themselves. 1st base. One would 'think' it would be an unbiases test, unless funded by a shower maker. ;) With actual testing showing an actual drop in temp from the use of his the shower, that makes a 2nd base run in my book. Then there is all the actual OSO users that have posted positive results, no chaulking build up, 3rd base. Then my actual 'see for myself test' hanging over the back and seeing 1st hand that it does indeed work as advertised. home run. A little more proof than just my opinion, but that's just my opinion. ;)
Which design is best? Don't know myself, maybe it is the Simrek tube style, or the top cap design you sell? (Anything to do with you mentioning website info?) Any design is better than none as long as it has the right pickup design to allow it to work. But then gotta wonder why Merc doesn't instal them. Maybe we think to much.

Now my opinion for some headscratching,

Heat is built up at the upper cap bearing, which heats up the oil in the upper housing. A top cap shower will no doubt cool the cap, which should also cool the oil. A tube type shower will force water on the sides and rear or top, depending on style, of the upper housing to cool the oil. Has any of the top cap makers done any testing to check for temp drop using there product? I don't know. Just asking.
So to me it would appear both do the same thing, cool the oil and housing, but with different methods. So now does it come down to personal preference/beliefs, word of mouth, or manufactures website claims?
Not trying to push anyone to what I like, but your post sounded to me like you are not a supporter of the tube type shower w/o coming right out and saying it. If you have other info, I'm all ears for listening what you have to say.
Thanks

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Here's picture of one running, that was not taken by Paul or anyone at Simrek but OSO's famed Clay Washington, on his own boat! :D

One thing that might be worth calling and talking to Paul about is reverse rotation where the top cap may get hotter. SOmeone that knows drives much better than I might be able to explain whether getting water directly on the top cap would help or not. A couple of extra spray holes directed up into each other from both sides might be easy enough to do.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Exactly my point to. A good ol friendly discussion. I like to hear everyside from those that are more likely to have the inside track or have used both and are in the position of giving their results. Since I only have experience with the Simrek, I can only comment on them. I figured you just might have some info to share with your connections. ;) Most all have seen the Hotboat testing article on the tube type showers, I would like to see the same testing for the top cap design.

It's all good. :D :D

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Definatly Go with the Simrek Halos

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

WHY!!!! Because I lost a seal in the upper port side drive due to the nut that holds the upper rear yoke in place had loosend and was puking gear lube into the bilge.
I was running at 5200 rpm when the drive alarm went off, Made it back to the dock without loosing the drive.

I had lost a seal in a alpha drive on my 89 272sr1 and lost the drive without showers on it so i am thankful i had simrek halos on mine this time and came out ok, Merc had a service bulletin out about re torquing that nut on the rear yoke, When we took the drive apart you could take the nut off by hand, Also was covered by formula guard another plus, Hey Fred by the way the red steering wheel looks great on the 312!!!! Jeff

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

How about a Simrek halo plus a top cap shower with a Simrek pick-up?? That should keep that "SOB" cool... :D

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Holy Waterflow!!! :evilb: :D :D

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I agree!

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Simreks. Put a set of Halos on the Dominator last fall.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

This is what I have on my Cat.
I absolutely love them!
Drives are as black as the day they were made at Merc. NO sign of white residue that you would see from drives getting hot and then cooling down.
I like the sheeting action versusthe hose spray.
Another brand of top shopw just pushes the water over the top, does not push itdown the sides like this unit does.
Check it out and at the same time broaden you knowledge.
This is what I have on my Cat.
I absolutely love them!
Drives are as black as the day they were made at Merc. NO sign of white residue that you would see from drives getting hot and then cooling down.
I like the sheeting action versusthe hose spray.
Another brand of top shopw just pushes the water over the top, does not push itdown the sides like this unit does.
Check it out and at the same time broaden you knowledge.
http://www.innovativemarine.net/
http://www.innovativemarine.net/Blktubecooler.jpeg

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Speaking of drive showers for those running Alpah SS drives what kind of shower are you using.

THX
Sam

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I had the simrek halos on my last boat and have installed several others. I need to purchase one or two more. Let's get an order together and take advantage of Paul's generosity. I'm in for at least one.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I'm going to second Mn on this. I too have a Innovative marine cap on my cat. Mine is plumbed into the raw water pump. Mfr's can come up with all the fancy gizmo's they want, but if you have a high drive height, a cavitation plate mounted shower just won't work. Oh, and you'll never have a pickup cavitating your prop either.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Good looking outfit. Has anyone had cavitation that can be 100% verified from the pickup tubes of showers, or just speculation? Otherwise there are alot of boats out there with the steering tabs that hang down a few inches that are in a world of hurt. :confused:

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Too Old,
I will be in the market for a new shower for my "hole in the water" since I have put this Imco lower on it. What do you recommend for this set up?

Chris

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Well let me know and I will throw some of this Stef's Oil Pan money down that way.

Chris

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Yes I know for a fact that drive showers can cause cavitation, .

When I bought my boat it had no drive showers on it. Installed a pair of innovative marine showers and immediatly had cavitation problems planing off. Innovative replaced the non adjustable pick up tubes with adjustable ones. I then moved the tube up 1/4 inch which eliminated the problem.

So its been my experience that the height of the tube makes a huge difference in whether or not you have cavitation problems.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I have a 6" X on my stepped hull little Donzi.

After installing a Simrek, there was zero difference with speed or handling. I am running a 28p Bravo.

The only difference I noticed is how nice and shiny the drive stays.

Kent

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Not to beat this dead horse anymore, but why does a shower pickup cause a problem and not the 1000's of boats that have the steering tab? It hangs down alot further. Seen it many times the dang thing is way off fom straight. How do those boats get on plain? Inquiring minds want to know.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

The hell with it! After reading all this cavation stuff and weather or not showers are even needed, I'll pass. I don't see anybody complaining that doesn't have them.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

I would tend to agree. The Simrek pick ups don't stick down more that 1/2". :confused: :)

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Let's see if we can clear a few things up

1. What you are talking about is ventilation not caviatation.
Look at how they get some of the 6 drive boats on plane, those tubes are to ventilate the prop so it slips. If the pick up on a shower is too close to the prop in may suck a small amount of air and slip the prop. that's why you need the pick up point to the rear of the plate.

2. to shower or not to shower...when my friend got his new early production XR drive he called me and asked if I knew of a good shower. I asked him why and he told me because everyone has one. AFT a hour talk on the phone and my inablity to convince him he did not need one, I told him to call Merc...their answer..if it needed one don't you think we would have added one.

3. The whole oil viscosity vs. sear strength vs. temp comes into play but think margaritas...when it thins out (with some temp) it flows better and sear strength doesn't drop as much as you might think.

4. Of all the bravo's I have seen apart..not one would I call a high temp oil failure. In fact, in my opinion, more have been from lose of lube at point, cold oil. Think of running the motor without warming the oil.

5. On the race boat I have seen oil temps of 250...that is not to hot for modern syn. lubes. But it will make your drive chalky. If it's all about looks go for it...it f it's all about performance, I would really have to think twice.

Mike

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Hello all,
I just joined a few minutes ago. What an awesome Forum. I think I'll be upgrading my account right away.

I'm looking to get a pair of SIMREK Halo's if anyone is intrested in getting together for a group discount. If we order 6 or more you get 15% off and free shipping. I need 2 so all we need is 4 more.
Anyone intrested?

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Rich I may be in for 2 also within a week or so

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

That would be free shipping to one spot, right, then you need to ship out to the other people that you buy in with.
Why not just buy your simreks from Fred at Trickmarine.net
His price is 14% off the price on the simrek site, and you are done.

Plus you are supporting a OSO advertiser.

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Thanks Zanie.....I have dozens of the Simreks in stock and will gladly drop the price an additional 5% for any OSO member. No group buy required! So, that would be 19% off list. :D

Re: Best Drive Showers??
 

Fred can you pm me with a quote?
I need showers for bravo 1 with Imco Hydraulic steering. Pistons in center. Want to buy Simrek.
Jamie