Shafts or Sterndrives

[peterb26]

Well despite being a confirmed enthusiast for shaft drive boats - I thought the twin outdrives handled really well around the marina. Very predictable and very manoeuvrable.

To be honest, if anything I thought you had "more options" with the twin drives - although today there was no wind to make anything difficult.

 

[burgundyben]

I cant really comment, only ever had shafts and v happy with them.

I know you want a H28! You know you want a H28! Go buy a H28.

 

[overdrawn]

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cursing the name Mercruiser and vowing never ever to own a shaft drive boat again in feb this year.... In the pouring Rain Volvo`s are much easier


[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Mercruiser on shafts /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Volvo`s ££££££££,s

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OOOOP`s meant stern drive

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I've had sports cruisers with both sterndrive and shaftdrive and I've had flybridge cruisers with both sterndrive and shaftdrive and I'm with hlb on this. At speed a sterndrive boat feels livelier and more skittish than a shaftdrive boat; maybe that's a feeling some people like but personally I don't. To me a shaftdrive boat feels more in the water rather than on top of it; some people use the word 'planted' and that's a good description because a well found shaftdrive boat feels like it will push through any waves rather than get pushed about by them.
At slow speed, IMHO, there's no contest. Because the drive is right at the stern, the bow of a sterndrive boat feels very light and is more easily blown off line than a shaftdrive boat. Yes you can control the bow of a sterndrive boat with a bow thruster but most manufacturer fitted thrusters are inadequate. Then with most sterndrive boats you have to use the steering as well as the engines to control the boat and it can all get a bit frantic. With a shaftdrive boat, the drive is about 1/3rd along the hull from the stern and as a result, the bow is less wayward. Also, because shaftdrive engines are generally wider apart than sterndrive engines (which are often quite close to each other to ensure the drives are fully immersed), a shaftdrive boat can generally be handled on throttles alone without any necessity to steer
Sterndrives have 2 big advantages. They are more economical than shaftrives and, because the engines are further aft, more space is available for accomodation, but, given the choice, personally I would go for shaftdrive every time. All IMHO. Some peeps think quite the opposite

 

[hlb]

In windy conditions. shafts come into there own. The boats planted, largley does as it's told. Out at sea, it's positive, just drives the boat through it. Maybe 8 knots, but no sence of loosing control.

It's a bit like driving a Merc rather than a french thingy majig.

Just does what it says on the can.

 

[peterb26]

Agree with the comments about shaft drive boats being "planted" at planing speeds. I was amazed how much the sterndrive boat heeled in even minor turns at planing speeds.

I guess the lack of wind yesterday made life very easy - but I did think the manoeuvrability round the marina was excellent.

 

[Scarron]

Hi Jonathon

Thinking about the two specific boats you are considering;

Triana 25, twin petrol sterndrives
+ Efficient, lively performance, great sea boat, brilliant packaging, gets all you need into a small space.
- Old petrol sterndrives, yuk, it'll either break, blow up or catch on fire, definitely cost money and grief to keep going.

Omega 828, twin diesel shaft drive
+ Bigger, heavier superb slow speed handling, essentially same hull so still great sea boat.
- Because its at the lower end of shaft drives big twin six cylinder diesels, it is poorly packaged, that great big engine box dominates the boat, it's bang in the middle of the cockpit and means you can only be at the front or clamber over it to the seating at the back [something I don't expect you'll want the kids to do on the move]. so look carefully, I don't think you'll get any more space fro the extra three feet of boat length -possibly less.

Reliability better no doubt. Efficiency, slower and although diesel it'll probably cost a bit more to run after next year. Safety, if you pick up a pot it'll be a lot more awkward.

Horses for courses really but both Levi boats so you really can't go wrong.

Paul
P.S. rebuilt the carbs, now getting 29knots at 4750, only another 1000rpm to find!

 

[cataldo]

we have had two boats with outdrives and two with shafts and i dont think over five years with outdrives there wasnt something wrog with them and spent about 7,500 euro on them.the shafts never gave any trouble and feel much more surefooted.