I need a complete outdrive for a 700HP motor in an AO 2600NSX. Only viable solutions to my knowledge is an IMCO SCX. W this after I add the gimbal and steering system I’m around 25K. A complete Arneson #7 is 27K. I figure if I’m already in that ballpark of mid twenties w an IMCO why not step it up to a surface drive? Looking for pros & cons and any recommendations/ advice. Thanks

Great question! Curious to read the answers too!

Not so sure how the Arneson drive design works on smaller single engine cats.

My New 29 Canopy w/ Arneson Surface Drive

Our friend John Hice hung a turbine and an Arneson on his 25 SXT Warlock Cat and had great success! Myself, going with an SCX upper and -2 SC lower with 855hp.

I've got about 160 hours on a new set of Bravo ones with 700HP. Opened up this spring and everything is still very nice. Put the same drives in a CAT with 500HP and probably already be ruined. Unless you can find someone who has info on your boat with a surface drive SCX would be my choice. It's too hard to know for sure how much time =$$$$ it might take to get the boat set up right with a surface drive swap.

Just sourcing props to try would be difficult and costly. Unless you're lucky enough to find used options that work.
​​​​​
There' s a couple of new/used ASD7s in the Swap forum. No trans.

Is this NA or boosted 700HP? There's a difference.

number 6

MSA Marine Systems

How much is a scx cost? How much do props cost for an scx? How much speed does an scx cost you? What’s the warranty on an scx? It does not matter what works, everyone is going to say use anything but a surface drive regardless so follow the experts