towing a velvet drive

[bilgewiper]

Will towing a velvetdrive equipped boat for long distances (40 miles+ behind a houseboat) ) be a oil supply problem for the tranny as it would be in a automatic in a car? Tow in nuetral or in gear? Thanks for your input.
Ethan

[69 Elim]

good question - I would like to know too? Anyone???

[Thunderbutt]

I don't think you have to worry about towing any boat behind a houseboat in gear or out of gear. What is the speed? 10 or 15 MPH at the most. put it in gear that way the prop won't turn. A little drag on the houseboat won't be noticed. Have fun. Originally posted by bilgewiper:
Will towing a velvetdrive equipped boat for long distances (40 miles+ behind a houseboat) ) be a oil supply problem for the tranny as it would be in a automatic in a car? Tow in nuetral or in gear? Thanks for your input.
Ethan

[spectras only]

Get a folding prop like sailboats have J/K http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Thunderbutt]

But what if he is towing it in reverse, I mean the boat Originally posted by spectras only:
Get a folding prop like sailboats have J/K http://free.***boat.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

[spectras only]

Ok Jim ,either shift the tranny or disconnect the shaft http://free.***boat.net/ubb/wink.gif

[Thunderbutt]

How got the shaft? Originally posted by spectras only:
Ok Jim ,either shift the tranny or disconnect the shaft http://free.***boat.net/ubb/wink.gif

[GasTurbine]

Originally posted by bilgewiper:
Will towing a velvetdrive equipped boat for long distances (40 miles+ behind a houseboat) ) be a oil supply problem for the tranny as it would be in a automatic in a car? Tow in nuetral or in gear? Thanks for your input.
Ethan
Good question...and I dont know the answer. http://free.***boat.net/ubb/smile.gif
Putting it in gear, I dont think will help without the pump running. Seems to me I have spun props easily out of the water (not running) even tho in gear.
This will cause a slight amount of drag, but heres what I would do...
Inside the boat: Somehow shore up the prop shaft. Rig some wood around the shaft, c-clamp it together, the stick a screwdriver in the clamp so it would hit the stringer or hull. Or something similar...vise-grips would do the same also.
Outside the boat: More of a pain, as it requires you to get in the water, but tie the prop down to the swim deck, hold down, rudder, etc. with some rope/line.
You could also research...find out if spinning the out put shaft (without the pump running) will lubricate the secondary gear set. Might call a builder or the manufactuer for this info...
Take care.

[Boatski]

I towed my flattie with a velvet drive behind a house boat for a whole week. Towed in netural. Never had any problems. Sold boat 9 years later trans still worked like new.

[bilgewiper]

Thanks for your resposes. Got to thinking about all those tournament ski boats I see getting towed all over the place behind houseboats. I think Velvet Drives are pretty much standard in them.......and they must be getting away with it.
Thaks again,
Ethan