I may be looking to upgrade the drives and keep the boat. i was wondering what is the best setup is for drives on this boat
Thanks
John Lomant

When you figure that out let me know; I started a thread in the drive section about this very subject; based on my setup and assuming yours is the same the only alternative may be NXT's 'cause there is no room for a tranny. I recall that the Arnesons necessitate moving the motors forward a bit.

I put the IMCO SCX drives on my Comp after looking at all the options. I popped 3 Xr drives with my 700 Potters last year and have had nothing but perfect boating this year. I may have lost 1-3 mph on top end (and that is a maybe) but to me it is worth it. I had SC lowers so I bought the new SCX uppers, new shafts and SCX helmets.
All said and done it cost me $25K installed, sold my old Xr uppers and ITS Shafts for $6k and my out of pocket cost was $19K.
I looked long and hard at the Arnesons but after crunching the numbers, the conversion would have cost me close to $50K (selling the drives would get $8-10k back). Then, you have to worry about x dimension, balance and new props.
Good luck!

You do not have to move the motors forward. The tranny is in the extension box. Just call Rik at Arneson and ask him directly. I am sure he will say the the Gladiator will see a 10-15 mph increase in top speed with no horsepower changes.

You are correct; found the message from Rik; said not forward but maybe down an inch or so...

Can you just put a spacer in the lower? Or does it affect the center of gravity?

Arneson always claims a drastic increase in speed with same power...how/why? Are they that much more efficient? Better hydronamics? Better props? J/C?

Arnesons offer more speed due to surface piercing props and very little hardware in the water. All that is in the water with an Arneson is the prop and the tab that acts as a rudder. With a Bravo you have a whole bullet and lower gearcase and cavitation plate along with an entire prop....

John, I thought you knew someone who was coming out with a drive that was the next big thing?

Do your research....
I was hell bent on putting the Arneson conversion on my Comp. last winter until I found out I had to add a filler to my notch, change the motor mounts to realign them for the drives and possibly change the CG of a perfectly balanced boat. Then add the cost of the kit, plus props and testing and it wasn't worth it.
I am not bashing Arnesons. If I was building a new boat, I would put them on in a heartbeat!
A conversion is just that, a conversion.... you might get lucky and get it right on the first shot but if not.... it could cost alot of time and money dialing it in.