I have only owned two inboard outboard stern drives (including a current boat--which I will be selling and going back to outboards for several reasons).
I also learned that duo props do not do well with debris--and most likely ice.  I stripped out the gears (new leg necessary) upon hitting a small piece (less than 1" diameter) of hurricane debris.
Many stern drives do not come up high enough to  get the leg out of the water--and in many boats not enough to clear the bottom of the hull.

Stern drives do not do well in salt water (although some have had better experience than I have--corrosion is certainly a problem)

Stern drives have boots, which can be damaged and allow water to intrude.

Stern drives should not be run in a trailering position(hard on gimble bearings)--and I would think that service on a stern drive will be difficult on a cat, unless there is an easy access to the transom.

In the long run I think that I/O's will be more expensive to repair than conventional running gear.

I would be more likely to put skegs in front of conventional props--perhaps with protection under the props--and even consider a tunnel drive in you want shoal water performance.

With the large tides in Alaska, is beaching practical?  I always anchored my RIB off shore, with an "endless line" to the shore so I could get to it hours later no matter what the tide.

Regards,

Bob Austin

BOB  I am betting u had merc DP ????    u could not give me one    mike b
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Austin
To: deering@ak.net ; Powercat
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 9:07 PM
Subject: [PCW] Sterndrives

I have only owned two inboard outboard stern drives (including a current boat--which I will be selling and going back to outboards for several reasons).
I also learned that duo props do not do well with debris--and most likely ice.  I stripped out the gears (new leg necessary) upon hitting a small piece (less than 1" diameter) of hurricane debris.
Many stern drives do not come up high enough to  get the leg out of the water--and in many boats not enough to clear the bottom of the hull.

Stern drives do not do well in salt water (although some have had better experience than I have--corrosion is certainly a problem)

Stern drives have boots, which can be damaged and allow water to intrude.

Stern drives should not be run in a trailering position(hard on gimble bearings)--and I would think that service on a stern drive will be difficult on a cat, unless there is an easy access to the transom.

In the long run I think that I/O's will be more expensive to repair than conventional running gear.

I would be more likely to put skegs in front of conventional props--perhaps with protection under the props--and even consider a tunnel drive in you want shoal water performance.

With the large tides in Alaska, is beaching practical?  I always anchored my RIB off shore, with an "endless line" to the shore so I could get to it hours later no matter what the tide.

Regards,

Bob Austin

Power-Catamaran Mailing List

Mike,

Bad bet.  Have never owned any sort of  sterndrive before (thus my
naiveté).  I’ve owned shafts and outboards… and the outboards were a lot
less troublesome.  But I’m looking at Volvos this time around – the new
generation is supposed to be better but I’m not 100% convinced.

I’ll make note of your comment on the Mercs though.  Thanks!

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: power-catamaran-bounces+deering=ak.net@lists.samurai.com
[mailto:power-catamaran-bounces+deering=ak.net@lists.samurai.com] On
Behalf Of mcbowers
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2005 5:32 PM
To: Power Catamaran List
Subject: Re: [PCW] Sterndrives

BOB  I am betting u had merc DP ????    u could not give me one    mike
b
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Austin mailto:thataway4@cox.net
To: deering@ak.net ; Powercat mailto:power-catamaran@lists.samurai.com

Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2005 9:07 PM
Subject: [PCW] Sterndrives

I have only owned two inboard outboard stern drives (including a current
boat--which I will be selling and going back to outboards for several
reasons).
I also learned that duo props do not do well with debris--and most
likely ice.  I stripped out the gears (new leg necessary) upon hitting a
small piece (less than 1" diameter) of hurricane debris.
Many stern drives do not come up high enough to  get the leg out of the
water--and in many boats not enough to clear the bottom of the hull.

Stern drives do not do well in salt water (although some have had better
experience than I have--corrosion is certainly a problem)

Stern drives have boots, which can be damaged and allow water to
intrude.

Stern drives should not be run in a trailering position(hard on gimble
bearings)--and I would think that service on a stern drive will be
difficult on a cat, unless there is an easy access to the transom.

In the long run I think that I/O's will be more expensive to repair than
conventional running gear.

I would be more likely to put skegs in front of conventional
props--perhaps with protection under the props--and even consider a
tunnel drive in you want shoal water performance.

With the large tides in Alaska, is beaching practical?  I always
anchored my RIB off shore, with an "endless line" to the shore so I
could get to it hours later no matter what the tide.

Regards,

Bob Austin

Power-Catamaran Mailing List