Are V-Drives any good?
V-drive inboards offer advantages found in no other propulsion system. With the weight of the engine placed in the stern, but with the stable tracking of inboard running gear, a V-drive proves ideal for generating the big wakes, steep ramps, smooth faces and clean alleys that wakeboarders have a jones for.
What is a V-drive engine in a boat?
V-drive is a propulsion system for boats that consists of two drive shafts, a gearbox, and a propeller. In a “V-drive” boat, the engine is mounted in the rear of the boat and the front of the engine faces aft. Connected to the rear of the engine is the transmission.
Are Marine V-Drives reliable?
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 is advantage of V-drive boat?
The advantage of the V-drive is that the engine is placed aft. In a watersports boat with a V-drive system the engine is usually covered with a padded sundeck, so the boat’s cockpit is very similar to that of a sterndrive, with the middle of the cockpit open.
Whats better direct-drive or V-drive?
Essentially, the terms direct-drive and V-drive refer to the path of the power. V-drives are better for wakeboarding because the weight of the engine and transmission is farther aft. The stern of the boat rides lower in the water and throws a larger wake.
How does a boat V-drive work?
A V-drive and a direct drive are both inboard propulsion systems, which means the engine drives a propshaft that passes through the boat bottom, with the propeller positioned under the boat and steering accomplished by a rudder.
Do V-drives have reverse?
The engine “faces” aft with its output shaft facing forward and mated to a V-drive transmission that uses a series of gears to reverse the output direction 180 degrees and mates to the propshaft, which is in about the same position and angle as it would be found on a direct drive inboard system.
What’s the difference between V-drive and direct drive?
Direct-Drive vs. V-Drive Overview: Direct-Drive boats place the engine in the center of the boat to minimize the wake produced. V-Drive boats place the engine in the rear to create a bigger wake for rider performance.
Whats faster jet boat or V-drive?
As far as ultimate top speed the Vdrives will almost always be faster. Most time the jets will accelerate quicker up to about 120 mph.
Do V drives have reverse?
What is the difference between a V-drive and a direct drive boat?
A V-drive and a direct drive are both inboard propulsion systems, which means the engine drives a propshaft that passes through the boat bottom, with the propeller positioned under the boat and steering accomplished by a rudder.
What is an outdrive motor on a boat?
The engine is attached through the transom to a drive unit (sometimes referred to as an “outdrive”) that looks quite similar to the lower portion of an outboard motor. The outdrive unit swivels similar to an outboard engine to direct the propeller thrust and provide steering.
Should my boat have an outboard or a Sterndrive engine?
Choosing between an outboard and a sterndrive engine is a common question for recreational boats, perhaps most commonly with bowriders. While in the past, most bowriders came standard with a sterndrive engine, boat manufacturers today are giving most bowriders the option for outboard power.