outdrive on inland waterways???

[livelife]

We have been given several pieces of info that seem to conflict! We are thinking of tackling the inland french waterways and were going down the shaft driven boats route? Are outdrives suitable also, just wondered what they would perform like when entering or holding short of locks..

All advice gladly accepted..

 

[ian38_39]

Cant talk about shafts but had two stern drive boats and used both of them for a fair amount of their time inland.

Running with the wind and flow you won't notice the difference anything else and they will wander about a fair bit, mooring in a cross or head wind needs practice as the bow tends to be lively.

Plus points, you can clear anything you pick up from the props by lifting the legs, They are less likely to be damaged by hitting something at low speed as they are designed to kick up and holding station I would say is probably easier as you can steer forwards and backwards.

There is a rudder type attachment that you can fit to outdrives, this dramatically improves straight line stability and is designed to lift when you get to planing speed so that you don't get too much steerage.

Have a look at course keeper or ruddersafe.