Shaft v outdrives (close quarter handling)

[Thepipdoc]

I’ve only ever driven boats with outdrives and never yet experienced boat handling that powered by shafts ( For the pedantic- I realise the shafts don’t actually power the vessel but I’m sure you get my drift!) and I’m on the verge of buying a twin engined 40’ shaft drive boat.
Now, because I only have experience of outdrives I’ve become accustomed to the handling my current F33 with reasonable competence and confidence. I know there are plenty of people that think that legs are the spawn of the devil and would only ever buy a boat that’s got shafts. (Personally I don’t mind legs because I have no experience of anything else, so what I don’t know I can’t miss.) Given that I’m probably going to go ahead and enter the “world” of shaft drive, I would like to hear what I can expect and why shafts are better than outdrives – especially at close quarter handling.

 

[MapisM]

I would like to hear what I can expect and why shafts are better than outdrives – especially at close quarter handling.

In a nutshell, they're more predictable, and simpler to handle because you only use the throttles, whilst with outdrives in many occasions you must also use the wheel.
Besides, rotating the boat around her center is very easy with shafts, whilst with outdrives, depending on the specific boat, such maneuver can be anywhere from a bit tricky, up to plain impossible.

 

[powerskipper]

differences

With the out drive you used the helm on all maneuvers, normally.
With a shaft the position of the shafted and props on the underside of the hull are spaced further apart and are a single prop. [ normally due on out drives]
This means that you can turn the boat using just an engine in gear,
1 engine in gear, shallow turn,
one forward one in reverse. you turn almost in own length to turn in own length, put the helm over the same way the forward engine is .

 

[BartW]

after 6 seasons of single outdrive, and 4 seasons with twin outdrive,
this summer was our first season with shaft drives and I have to admid that I love it !

MapisM sums it up right,
I can add to that; when manouvring,
going backwards, the position of the rudders has no influence,
but going forward, they do,
so before manouvring, you set the rudder in the position you need for the FWD manouvre even if you first go backwards,
Practice will show you that you can do very tight manouvres this way.

I have read the following expression so many times on here, and can only confirm, also for shaft drive boats;
stear before gear !

outdrives are for sports boats,
shaft drives are for real boats

 

[SteveE]

We went from a F33 to and F43 and I found shafts easier to handle, we have the 74L so good grunt and with the wheel amidships we did everything on the throttles..

The downside of the F43 was very light boat and lots of windage so the bow thruster did also come in handy..

 

[benjenbav]

Also, with outdrives the thrust is right at the stern so it's a bit more like a shopping trolley in handling terms.

Whatever, I think you'll find shafts a real joy in handling terms if you're happy with the outdrives on the F33.

Mind you, the downside is that they're a bit juicier. But, then again, less maintenance.

On balance I prefer a couple of nice shafts. Ooh err, missus.

 

[MapisM]

With a shaft the position of the shafted and props on the underside of the hull are spaced further apart

Are they? I mean, for any given hull, I don't see reasons why the engines should be closer to the keel when mated to outdrives (or further apart with shafts). Though I must say that I don't have any specific example in mind, so you might well be correct...
The only case where I can think of engines/props MUCH closer is with staggered engines on very fast boats, but that's a completely different kettle of fish.

Otoh, I fully agree that the prop walk also helps when maneuvering, and that is always true with shafts, whilst there isn't such effect with dual prop outdrives.

 

[epervier]

Having had legs for nearly five years the return to shaft driven is a joy by comparison, so much easier to predict what the boat is going to do.

As others have already stated, the plus side is fishing line doesn't cost you the agg of stripping the drives down to replace cut seals and replacement oil, on the minus side you can't put shafts in beach mode to go in shallow water or inspect/clean/replace your props

 

[oldgit]

Another not often mentioned advantage of shafts is the the engines are more likely to be towards the centre of the boat as opposed to hanging an inch or two from the transom.
Best analogy is between a mid engined car and an early Porche.
My Princess 33 on out drives would have been nightmare over long distances without the autopilot,the new boat on shafts just stays on whatever heading you point it at.
On a recent journey to Ramsgate the outdrive boat in front of me was having a hard time holding his course,he was unable to get on the plane due to weather conditions,suspect he would have had an easier time of it if he had been able to go faster.

 

[Thepipdoc]

On a recent journey to Ramsgate the outdrive boat in front of me was having a hard time holding his course,he was unable to get on the plane due to weather conditions,suspect he would have had an easier time of it if he had been able to go faster.

Ah now this is something I'm familliar with.

 

[MapisM]

On a recent journey to Ramsgate the outdrive boat in front of me was having a hard time holding his course,he was unable to get on the plane due to weather conditions,suspect he would have had an easier time of it if he had been able to go faster.

I see what you mean, but that has not only to see with shafts vs. outdrives.
In sea conditions which force planing boats to cruise at displacement speed, holding a straight course isn't trivial also with shafts.
I agree that with outdrives it can be even worse, but the only hulls which work properly in such conditions are those designed for them (deep keel, stabilizers, high displacement, etc.).

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I’ve only ever driven boats with outdrives and never yet experienced boat handling that powered by shafts ( For the pedantic- I realise the shafts don’t actually power the vessel but I’m sure you get my drift!) and I’m on the verge of buying a twin engined 40’ shaft drive boat.
.

Just be prepared never to want to go back to outdrives again. I had a virtual epiphany the day I swapped my outdrive powered Sealine 305 (forerunner of the F33) for a shaftdrive Turbo 36

 

[benjenbav]

I had a virtual epiphany the day I swapped my outdrive powered Sealine for a shaftdrive Turbo 36

I know what you mean and it's no good dabbing at the stain with a tissue.

 

[Andrew38]

I went from a shaft drive (Broom 42) to sterndrives with joystick control (Beneteau Monte Carlo 42) this year. For close quarter handling give me shafts and a bow thruster any time. Better control, low engine speeds for maneouvering at close quarters etc.

The joystick can be very good but it isn't desparately accurate and can use large amounts of power to achieve the required action which makes everyone think you're a real amateur! The fuel consumption is very good though going from a season average of 1.3mpg to about 2 mpg.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I know what you mean and it's no good dabbing at the stain with a tissue.

Thats what bilge cleaner is for

 

[epervier]

Just be prepared never to want to go back to outdrives again. I had a virtual epiphany the day I swapped my outdrive powered Sealine 305 (forerunner of the F33) for a shaftdrive Turbo 36

Oh praise be to the Lord, he's seen the light, all those in the house say, Hallelujah

 

[Thepipdoc]

I'm getting excited!!
The "world" of shafting is drawing ever closer!

 

[MapisM]

Just be prepared never to want to go back to outdrives again.

Agreed, but with a caveat.
If and when the OP (or anyone else) would want to go real fast on the water, outdrives will be just the ticket.
But the grin factor would easily overcome the lack of maneuverability!

 

[oldgit]

"If and when the OP (or anyone else) would want to go real fast on the water, outdrives will be just the ticket."


No IF.......just WHEN ......the OP gets those outdrive mantaince bills each and every 12 months and then those " water in the oil mate " repair bills start to appear,shafts will have been just the ticket.

 

[Greg2]

I have had both and have always had a preference for shafts for their manoeuvrability and lower maintenance costs but over the last couple of years have grown to appreciate outdrives more. Easy access to props, directional power and economy have their benefits and having started to do more maintenance myself they have lost their mystery and I now know that they are fixable when something goes wrong.

A big factor for me is ever increasing fuel costs, so much so that when considering a sports cruiser I am keen on that has the option of both drives and shafts I am opting for drives.

I may be off the mark but I suspect that future values will favour outdrive boats as a direct consequence of fuel prices.