Arneson Surface Drive Question

[Long Way Home]

Just out of curiosity, what is the pro/con with this Arneson Surface Drive setup as compared to the bravo drive?
Is this only for offshore/race type boats?

 

[XtrmWakeborder]

Just out of curiosity, what is the pro/con with this Arneson Surface Drive setup as compared to the bravo drive?
Is this only for offshore/race type boats?

pro-holds more power
con- Stick far off the back and kids/drunks get hurt

 

[RiverDave]

Alright well I'm not expert on Arnesons but let me give this a shot..

Con's :
Arneson's are non Trimmable (surface drives)
They are considered more dangerous becuase the prop is ridiculously exposed and far behind the boat.
Props are expensive as hell and hard to get, or in some cases need to be custom built
Setup's aren't "common" so dialing in the boat can be time consuming and costly
No guarantee that it will work better then a traditional setup when it's all said and done
Drive itself is alot more dough then a bravo style setup.
There's a rooster tail that comes off the back of these drives that's ridiculously huge and there's nothing your gonna do about that.
I've been told (no experience) that low speed maneuverabillity is poor
I've also been told that smaller V's with big HP the boat can actually "prop walk" which is a pretty scary scenario for dialing in.

Pro's :
They have reliable drives for EVERY HP application and are bullet proof
If they are setup right, then they are usually the most efficient propulsion system out there. (Fastest, quickest etc..)
They are cheaper then a Bravo setup, after you've blown the Bravo once..
There's a rooster tail behind these things that is about the coolest thing since sliced bread
Becuase their isn't a million of them out there, you get to work with the factory alot more (I've been told) with regards to your personal setup, and what works and what doesn't.
Their cooler then a penguin in an ice box.. If you have an Arneson on the back of your boat, I don't care if it's a 79 Nordic day cruiser.. People are gonna be looking at your rig and asking you questions irregardless of what overpriced hunk of fiberglass might be parked next to you.

RD

 

[boatnam2]

A freind of mine put one on his american offshore,did it all himself which is a good switch when it had a bravo.I thought he said he was still dialing it in trim wise so i think they can be trimmed.

 

[River Lynchmob]

They absolutly can be trimmed.

 

[Deleted Account]

A freind of mine put one on his american offshore,did it all himself which is a good switch when it had a bravo.I thought he said he was still dialing it in trim wise so i think they can be trimmed.

You can trim some of the models... :hmm

 

[RiverDave]

A freind of mine put one on his american offshore,did it all himself which is a good switch when it had a bravo.I thought he said he was still dialing it in trim wise so i think they can be trimmed.

My apollogies, you are correct.. The older (way older) Arnesons were not trimmable if memory serves.

RD

 

[justfloatn]

You can trim some of the models... :hmm

My apollogies, you are correct.. The older (way older) Arnesons were not trimmable if memory serves.

RD

I think you're correct Dave. Changing the angle of the prop is not the same as trimming the boat. Or is it?

With a drive buried in the water that has horizontal fins and you angle the drive up which angles the prop down. Thus trying to push the boat in the water the buoyancy of the boat will resist. The prop and drive is going to level itself and lift the bow of the boat. Hard to put into words but a visual person can picture what I am trying to say.

The Arneson all you are doing is raising the prop. You can push the bow down by burying the prop. But, IMO, the hull will need a lot of natural bow lift to work with an Arneson drive. Not a hull guy but I would assume the hull would need rocker and not hook?

 

[scarabrick]

any large shaft speed masters props will work.
there bravo conversion is a nice clean set up.
as for the meat cleaver off the back...... get a deeper swim platform

 

[Deleted Account]

any large shaft speed masters props will work.
there bravo conversion is a nice clean set up.
as for the meat cleaver off the back...... get a deeper swim platform

Here's a boat that runs good. Pulls a skier to Catalina every year... Fabbed plates keep the roost down.

 

[RiverDave]

I think you're correct Dave. Changing the angle of the prop is not the same as trimming the boat. Or is it?

With a drive buried in the water that has horizontal fins and you angle the drive up which angles the prop down. Thus trying to push the boat in the water the buoyancy of the boat will resist. The prop and drive is going to level itself and lift the bow of the boat. Hard to put into words but a visual person can picture what I am trying to say.

The Arneson all you are doing is raising the prop. You can push the bow down by burying the prop. But, IMO, the hull will need a lot of natural bow lift to work with an Arneson drive. Not a hull guy but I would assume the hull would need rocker and not hook?

Probably why they sell "Rocker Plates" which are basically hydraulic Cav Plates that add rocker or hook to the hull..

RD

 

[River Lynchmob]

Here's a boat that runs good. Pulls a skier to Catalina every year... Fabbed plates keep the roost down.

They should have won two years with that boat ago pulling Zig but from what I heard the boat is a little tough to ski behind and he fatigued pretty quickly...oh that and the observer wouldn't take his downs :fsakes

 

[Deleted Account]

What's the wake like with that setup? Sounds like another 'Boat Racer"...

 

[Craig]

I looked at one for my cat when I blew the Bravo. If you have a notched center pod, like I do, I was told I'd have to have that filled in so the transom adapter fits correctly.

 

[poncho]

i`ve always been fascinated by this drive,being an engineer eliminating two 90 degree turns is a win,i understand the trim limitations inherent to the design just seems the hull could be designed to work with it,saw Mr Arneson run a Skater thru San Fran harbor in the late 80`s early 90`s with a turbine and couldn`t get over how well it rode,so i guess its a matter of build the boat around it?

 

[Racey]

All that above and big surface props are MUCHO DINERO!!!!!

 

[Deleted Account]

Tim got a quote for spare Rollas and they were $16K each...:skull

 

[LakeTrash]

I have used Arneson drives for 10 years and have had the privilage of spending several hours riding with Howard in his 40 and 46 Skaters. The handling of a properly set up system is just amazing.

The roost is incredible. This is a 120 pass in my 31' Warlock when it had an Arneson and a T55 Lycombing turbine.



This is the latest which is nearing completion.



Arneson drives have always been able to trim. There are lots of copies, they all trim but do not steer.

If you really want the true story, call Rick or Howard at Arneson Research.
415-485-0788.

LT

 

[poncho]

laketrash you are very fortunate!the man was/is a visionary

 

[Long Way Home]

Thank you for all the info....

 

[Flying_Lavey]

There was a surface drive at the LA Boat show 2 years ago I think that had a built in guard and a lot of other features that made it seem like a really nice unit. For the life of me I cant remember what the company name was.

 

[LakeTrash]

the man was/is a visionary

That is so true.

At 84, he is still cranking out new ideas.

Anybody who loves high performance boating and has not dropped by his shop to spend some time talking with him has missed one of life's great experiences.

LT

 

[steveo143]

On the early 80's, I convinced a friend to build a 22 Schiada with one. It worked great, twin turboed BBC.

 

[Don Johnson]

Ron Gibbs, owner of Bad Attitude in Parker, has a 26 Firehawk with HUGE single engine HP that is rigged to twin Arneson's through a network of casales and blower belts. He is getting the setup pretty much dialed in and has run North of 135MPH with stick left.... He plans to run the boat at the Kilo deal at Desert Storm, conditions allowing.

I am looking at a 2006 32 Skater with Arnesons that I want to put my motors in. This boat with 900 Sterlings ran 155 MPH and was on a rail. Peter at Skater claims this boat will run in excess of 170 with my 1,100's. Peter is a huge fan of the Arnesons and claims they are his drive of choice. Unfortunately they are not as sexy as #6's as well the prop is a weapon hanging back there....

 

[Racey]

Tim got a quote for spare Rollas and they were $16K each...:skull

I guess when you think about how long it takes to burn 16k in fuel in that thing it sorta brings it into perspective

 

[Devilman]

Saw this on ebay awhile back. Looked pretty wicked.... I saved the pics & description cause its a little different than what you normally see. :skull

The description as it was listed on ebay:

Description

Item Specifics - Power & Fishing Boats
Type: Jet Use: Fresh Water
Make: Youngblood Engine Type: Big Block
Model: Youngblood Engine Make: Chevrolet 498
Year: 1979 Engine Model: Chevy 498
Length (Feet): 21.0 Primary Fuel Type: Gas
Beam (Feet): -- Fuel Capacity (Gallons): 11-20
Hull Material: Fiberglass Hull Identification Number: --
Trailer: Included



Vehicle Description

If you like really fast toys, then check out this Youngblood Pickle Fork/ Tunnel Hull speed boat. This is a 1979 boat that has been really cared for. It is very unique. The engine is a very potent 498inch Big Block Chevy engine. It also has a Arneson surface drive. The original owner spent A LOT of money perfecting this combination. The hull was redesigned by Mr. Arneson himself. The hull was then modified to his specifications. It will handle speeds of over 120 mph and still be very smooth and stable.

The current powerplant is a new engine that has 10.5 :1 compression. It has a radical hydraulic roller cam. The heads are oval port closed chambers (original 427). It sounds awesome! This engine produces about 700 hp without nitrous and with super unleaded gas! It has a billet MSD distributor, MSD ignition box, Holley electric fuel pump, and a hi torque mini starter. It has power steering, and a new external water pump. The carbs are 750 double pumpers that work perfect. I have personally been 85 + mph with this combination. (The speed was still climbing after the speedometer quit working after 85). I have driven super gas door cars, 7 second dragsters, and very fast street cars, but there is nothing like a really fast boat. The sensation of speed on the water is incredible and hard to describe.

This boat also has a "shorty" Powerglide transmission. It is built with all good parts including a billet aluminum shorty tail housing. Not only does it give you 2 gears for incredible acceleration, it also is a dream when it comes to idling around the boat dock and loading is a breeze.

The Gel Coat on this boat is original! It is not a repaint that will chip away with use. Wax it up now and then, and it will last for years to come. Look at the reflections in the pictures! It has never been crashed or sunk. The engine was mounted with front and rear engine plates just like a dragster.

The Surface Drive unit is very expensive and practically indestructible. The propeller is stainless steel and in great shape. These units are used a lot in offshore racing applications. Don’t be afraid to put a really powerful engine in this boat! It used to have a twin turbo setup and went 118 mph with that combination. Talk about a fast lake boat!

The trailer was custom made for this boat. It has surge brakes, buddy bearings, new tires and wheels, and is very easy to load.

Although this boat looks like brand new in the pictures, it is not perfect. It shows extremely well and gets major attention on the lake or on the trailer. When you pull up to the boat ramp with this thing, you will gather a crowd in no time. The boat looks awesome, and everyone freaks out on the Arneson drive.

 

[Deleted Account]

I guess when you think about how long it takes to burn 16k in fuel in that thing it sorta brings it into perspective

I think it burns 100 ga/hr each motor at WFO. Who cares, that boat rocks!:beer

 

[RiverDave]

There was a surface drive at the LA Boat show 2 years ago I think that had a built in guard and a lot of other features that made it seem like a really nice unit. For the life of me I cant remember what the company name was.

It sounds to me like your describing the "Pulse" drive.. They had one on a Nordic at the show as well. I know they sold a few, and have seen a few on boats, but never one in the water.

RD

 

[Flying_Lavey]

It sounds to me like your describing the "Pulse" drive.. They had one on a Nordic at the show as well. I know they sold a few, and have seen a few on boats, but never one in the water.

RD

No it wasnt them. It didnt have a huge cover like that. It looked more like a whale tail you would put on a lower unit. It had a lot more articulation built into it as well.