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| Tony's Tips |
ARTICLE DATE: 10/01/2004 |
| Understanding V-Drives and Powertrain Types |
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Like many vessel owners, you are not alone if you're
wary when the "V-word" is mentioned. This goes way back, because using
a "V-drive" requires a lot more design and installation thought. The
general configuration is not forgiving unless done right, but absolutely
if done right, the V-Drive layout can offer good reliability compared
to any in-line drive, along with offering many more advantages in some
installations.
What most people fail to understand is that with any install, inline
or V-drive, the shaft / gear box arrangement and it's general location
does not change, it is the engine that swaps position that makes the
biggest difference in the design layout while also giving the this configuration
its name "V-DRIVE". |
| ENGINE-TRANSMISSION-PROPELLER
SHAFT DRIVE TYPES |
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| Remote V-Drive |
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| Remote "in-line" drive |
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| Down Angle "in-line" drive |
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| Close Coupled V-Drive |
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| Standard "in-line" drive |
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| Co-Axial "in-line" drive |
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| The basic layout of the engine in relation to
the transmission is explained below: |
| 1) - Engine coupled to the transmission
towards bow of boat - closed coupled in-line drive, down angle, drop
parallel, or co-axial. |
| 2) - Engine coupled to the tranny
towards rear of boat (Closed Coupled V- Drive) - engine weight, not
transmission weight, shifted aft approx 3-4 ft in smaller engine installs
compared to the same boat with an in-line. |
| 3) - Engine removed from the
transmission and moved towards rear of boat (Remote V- Drive) - engine
weight, not transmission weight, shifted aft approx 4 ft-8 ft in smaller
engine installs compared to the same boat w/ an in-line. This usually
allows the best access to both components. |
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Remember that in all cases
regardless of which drive-line layout one uses, the shaft/struts/log
and rudder components, are generally all the same.
Seaboard Marine is one of the largest installer and supplier of V-Drive
diesel powered commercial boats in this country. We consult on a regular
basis w/ many small builders of custom boats and have done over 60 V-drive
installs for both commercial and recreational vessels ourselves - Lots
of experience, and I would say without any hesitation, the nicest and
fastest boats we have repowered, designed, or built from scratch, are
V-Drive powered. Many of our customers come to us specifically because
of our vast experience w/ this type of engine/transmission configuration.
Anyway, look over these pics to get some ideas and a better understanding
of the "overall" relationships. Send me some pics of your boat, goals
you want to meet, and I'll forward you some more info specific to what
your needs. |
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