Any reasons not to go V-drive?

[Phat_Kat]

I'm hunting around for a way to power my next boat. I have never owned a V-drive and have rarely driven them. The only times that I have driven them was for a quick fun run. I was wondering if V-drives would be a good relm to enter. The two main reasons I like the idea of getting a V-drive is because 1: I love prop driven boats that go fast(but who doesn't?) 2: The prop is safely tucked under the boat where it is not a danger. That's a biggy for me because I have cut myself about 6 or 7 times on the prop of the old sleekcraft and I have a 3 inch long scar on my arm from it. My worries are for starters that I know absolutely nothing about V-drives other than the basics that most people know. My other worry is that I might smack that prop and/or shaft on the ground and cause some serious damage and blow some serious cash. I really don't like not being able to see my outdrive because I don't know how shallow I can go. I've humored the idea of getting a jet but they're just too slow, and too hard to navagate at low speeds and when you're off the gas for my tastes and a V-drive seems like the next best option. I'm sure one of you were in this same decision making moment as I am so I figure that atleast one of you should be able to tell me wether I should stick to someting like an outboard or not.
Thanks
PK

[Kindsvater Flat]

Are you looking for a smaller 17'-19' or bigger 21'?

[Phat_Kat]

Kindsvater Flat:
Are you looking for a smaller 17'-19' or bigger 21'? 21's. Most likely a tunnel bottom. Like an old cougar. I intend to gut it and rig it myself. I was also considering perhaps getting something like a daytona 21 or liberator 21 O/B and having the hole drilled in the bottom to suit a V-drive. Would that be a bad move?

[Kindsvater Flat]

If you're gonna go tunnel, talk to Infomaniac. He has one.

[Sangster]

If your lookin' for ann older tunnel , be prepared to do some serious bottom work..Unless someone has done it right the first time..... :D

[GofastRacer]

If you want a Cougar, "Infomaniac" has a blown alky deal that kicks ass, he can set ya straight on that!.. :cool: :cool:

[burbanite]

Tip of the iceberg..... (http://forums.***boat.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=006554)

[Phat_Kat]

I think you guys are seriously misunderstanding my question. I want to know if my worries are actually major issues when owning a V-drive. No offense guys but asking infomaniac about how to make my boat go fast is kinda a "no shit shirlock" sorta deal. I just want to know if you V-drive owners have had any problems with banging the prop/shaft into the ground and if there's any other reasons that you can draw from personal experience that I should be aware of. Right now I'm focused on the recreational aspect. Speed will come later when I select a hull and what type of drive system I choose. If I could just get those questions answered I'd be happy.
Thanks
PK
[ September 13, 2003, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: Phat_Kat ]

[V-Drive Tom]

There is NO draw back to building a v-drive. PERIOD..
You are going to have to keep from banging the underwater gear on rocks and crap no matter what you build.
The v-drive will be a lot more work to build.
You need to decide if its worth it to YOU. smile_sp TOM..

[Unchained]

V-Drive Tom:
There is NO draw back to building a v-drive. PERIOD..
TOM.. Oh come on now, EVERY drive has pros and cons.
:rolleyes:

[mickeyfinn]

V-drives are very expensive to own. For example:
You buy a jetboat, it never runs, when it does it isn't fast so you are always at home either working on it to get it running or working on it to make it faster
V-drives-They don't break (okay, rarely) therefore you are on the lake, river every weekend. Spend all your money on gas babes and beer.
I guess you are right every drive has its problems. You will probably be better off with a jet. :D :D

[Phat_Kat]

I never really hear V-drive guys complaining about drive issues. The only thing I hear going wrong is the engine which is gonna happen every once and a while to everyone. My main turn off to a V-drive is that I tend to pull my boat up far on shore and as the water goes down through the day my boat gets beached and I know longer have to worry about it floating away or some damn kids splashing all over it. I normally put foam covers over the prop just to be safe because the sandbard is kinda bumpy and some one could trip and slice their head upen like a razor blade through hot butter. I'm afraid that as the water goes down, if I for get for 15 minutes too long that prop shaft will get snapped from the weight of the boat and I'll be screwed. Perhaps V-drives aren't for me but I haven't made any final decisions yet and I still have all winter to make my choice. Thanks for all your useful info guys!

[1980SANGERV-DRIVE]

I have both a jet and av-drive. The choice you make is what your priorities are. Speed or comfort, my jet is a family boat, the v-drive is for me and the lust to go faster than the jet boat. my jet does 80+, the v-drive I bought is supposta be 100+, but I have been in v-drives and to me there is no better rush than the instant speed they give ya. Just my 2 cents worth. jawdrop jawdrop jawdrop

[Unchained]

mickeyfinn
You buy a jetboat, it never runs, ]Hmm, Wouldn't that be a function of the engine rather than the drive it's hooked to ?

[burbanite]

You're wasting your breath... (http://forums.***boat.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=006554) sleeping sleeping sleeping

[Cole Sanger]

Thanks for posting that burbanite. I was looking for that thread. I remember the name also.

[burbanite]

This is good. (http://forums.***boat.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001106)
We also have
this (http://forums.***boat.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=005925) and this (http://forums.***boat.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=006333#000000)
from someone who does this "currently I just do general tech setups for small businesses. Build computers for people, a little graphics design here and there." for a living.
I like this (http://forums.***boat.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000706#000000) one too.
And on (http://forums.***boat.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001093) and on (http://forums.***boat.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001091) and then came this (http://forums.***boat.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=004478;p=1) followed by many so others that I couldn't possibly keep up.
I have no problem with questions but time after time I've seen people replying to this guy with genuine answers when they are really just having their time wasted.
Phat_Kat,
once again, don't try to be something you aren't. You would get some respect if you told the truth.