2005 Nor-Tech w/ triple 525's/XR
 

I'm thinking about upgrading from a 1999 33 Scarab w/ HP500's to a 2005 Nor-Tech 43v w/ triple 525's and XR drives. The guy who currently owns it took good care of it, but run it hard in rough water (and subsequently had plenty of drive problems). I don't plan to drive it as aggressively as he did - how will the drives hold up in this case? It's a sweet boat, but I live in Michigan, and the boating season is short! I don't want constant problems!

That is a lot of boat for XRs. Driving habits will make a huge difference on how long they last. But IMO they will fail with that much boat....sooner or later.

Is this a local boat? I think it also matters who does the work on the drives

Talk to Wrinkleface on BF, he had a 43nt with triple 525's. believe he saw a best of mid 90s and relatively trouble free. Having riden on it and driven it, I really liked it. comfortable boat, nicely put together, lots of room. Wrink is a really great guy and would be more than happy to talk to you in depth about the setup.

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Thanks, guys. I just tried messaging wrinkleface, but apparently his storage capacity is full and can't receive any more messages! Hopefully he'll see this thread. Jbraun, sweet boat - I think I've seen it in Grand Haven before. Yes, it's a local boat - was at the Wharf last year. Precision Power rebuilt the motors a few years ago, and I'm guessing did the drive work too. However, according to the owner, all three drives are brand new during the last year-and-a-half. I've heard varying things about Precision Power, so not sure what to think...

Chris, I just texted him that somebody on oso had questions for him.

Chris, check your pm's he said to pass along his number to you.

Thanks, phragle! I called him, and he was great help.

If anyone has any more feedback, keep it coming!

What was his opinion on the XRs lasting power? I had a pair of XRs on a 43 Sunsation. I ran it around 100 hours before trading, and didn't have an issue. And I babied those drives knowing they were the weak link. But 5 hours after I traded it one XR let loose. The 700s and NXTs were not available yet when the boat was built. But it was always my opinion that the boat needed the NXT, and it was only a matter of time before the XR would have issues. Lucky for me the timing worked out.

He really didn't have an opinion on the XRs on this particular boat, but told me that his NorTech had XRs with sportmaster lowers and some sort of box that brings the drive off the transom another seven inches. I've heard of this, but don't remember what it's called. He put 260 hours on the boat and never had any problems.

Mentalpause, what's the dry weight on the 43 sensation? Nor-Tech 43v is 13,900....