Firefly625
Well-Known Member
I couldn't disagree more.
Legs vs shaft
- Thread starter Sailorsam101
- Start date
I couldn't disagree more.
Spi D
...
... with the prop attached to the crankshaft - no swingin drives involved
Last edited:
Croftie
Well-Known Member
Greg2
Well-Known Member
Tried not to get sucked in but just couldn't help it....... 
We have had shafts and outdrives, both on twin engines boats. As far as manoeuvrability goes the shaft driven boats win hands down. Outdrives don't even come close on a twin set up IMHO, although to be fair it can depend on the boat and installation and it may be different on single engines.
No question that drives are more economical on fuel but they can be a nightmare to maintain/repair and it isn't all down to poor maintenance schedules. Every lift out it was with some trepidation that I would check the oil to see if it had that milky look that heralded the wallet becoming a bit (lot) lighter. In reality it was a bit of a lottery, not least because something as simple as a bit of fishing line could make short work of the shaft seals. Some years we were lucky some we were not.
Not saying that I wouldn't have drives again because as has already been said, it tends to depend on the type of boat you want. Overall though, given a straight choice it would be shafts for me
We have had shafts and outdrives, both on twin engines boats. As far as manoeuvrability goes the shaft driven boats win hands down. Outdrives don't even come close on a twin set up IMHO, although to be fair it can depend on the boat and installation and it may be different on single engines.
No question that drives are more economical on fuel but they can be a nightmare to maintain/repair and it isn't all down to poor maintenance schedules. Every lift out it was with some trepidation that I would check the oil to see if it had that milky look that heralded the wallet becoming a bit (lot) lighter. In reality it was a bit of a lottery, not least because something as simple as a bit of fishing line could make short work of the shaft seals. Some years we were lucky some we were not.
Not saying that I wouldn't have drives again because as has already been said, it tends to depend on the type of boat you want. Overall though, given a straight choice it would be shafts for me
RIN
Well-Known Member
Tried not to get sucked in but just couldn't help it.......
We have had shafts and outdrives, both on twin engines boats. As far as manoeuvrability goes the shaft driven boats win hands down. Outdrives don't even come close on a twin set up IMHO, although to be fair it can depend on the boat and installation and it may be different on single engines.
No question that drives are more economical on fuel but they can be a nightmare to maintain/repair and it isn't all down to poor maintenance schedules. Every lift out it was with some trepidation that I would check the oil to see if it had that milky look that heralded the wallet becoming a bit (lot) lighter. In reality it was a bit of a lottery, not least because something as simple as a bit of fishing line could make short work of the shaft seals. Some years we were lucky some we were not.
Not saying that I wouldn't have drives again because as has already been said, it tends to depend on the type of boat you want. Overall though, given a straight choice it would be shafts for me
For me its just the opposite. Having moved from legs to shafts I find the inability to move the stern of the boat towards the pontoon very frustrating. As I have a tight alongside berth with South Westerlys blowing me off it generally means coming in stern first exposing the vulnerable corners to the pontoon and the boat behind. I thought prop walk might help but there is really no such thing.
I really miss the legs.
On the other hand we were back in the water very quickly this year
KevB
Well-Known Member
As far as manoeuvrability goes, legs are harder to master correctly as you have the option to change the thrust direction regardless of whether going backwards or forwards with a turn of the wheel, where as shafts rely on the rudder and only when going forwards. Both can obviously be used independently on a twin installation but legs win hands down on close quarter manoeuvring.... if you know what you're doing 
Greg2
Well-Known Member
I guess I will just have to agree to disagree with RIN and KevB
Directional thrust from drives is undoubtedly a benefit but I can get virtually the same effect from our twin shafts though judicious clicks in and out if gear ahead and astern on opposing engines. Maybe it is down to the boat? Our Broom 41 will move sideways using the engines and prop-walk....I have no problem getting the stern to move sideways. So much so that when offered a stern thruster at a good price I wasn't going to take it but my lad convinced me it might help with re-sale if and when we come to sell
Directional thrust from drives is undoubtedly a benefit but I can get virtually the same effect from our twin shafts though judicious clicks in and out if gear ahead and astern on opposing engines. Maybe it is down to the boat? Our Broom 41 will move sideways using the engines and prop-walk....I have no problem getting the stern to move sideways. So much so that when offered a stern thruster at a good price I wasn't going to take it but my lad convinced me it might help with re-sale if and when we come to sell
Neil_Y
Well-Known Member
Just reading through these comments as I work solely with shafts (bearings and cutters) and noticed your comments, being mainly a yacht driver with single prop and no chance of using rudder effect or prop walk to much effect I always use a spring to bring the stern in, but that's another discussion. It's a while since I drove twin shaft motor boats but I used the same method to get the stern out and in in a few places with strong winds blowing me on and off a pontoon.
Assassin
Well-Known Member
I prefer jet drives.
