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Greg Debi Josh · 22-02-2012, 10:32

Hi There are so many cv type drive systems out there such as Aquadrive, Centaflex, PythonDrive, Vetus Shaft etc....
The Aquadrive appears good but expensive, does anyone know about an Aquadrive or what is similiar for a cheaper outlay...
We are re-powering in the water and need to extend the shaft without having to remove it...

Thanks Greg

S/V Alchemy · 22-02-2012, 16:02

That may not be possible. These units require a thrust bearing and add some length (about seven or eight inches with the Aquadrive) so you may have to glass in a frame to through-bolt a bearing.

Unless you have so much room on your engine stringers that you can slide it forward, I suppose.

I'm having to shorten my shaft and that means "out of the water".

marshmat · 09-04-2012, 11:07

Similar to an Aquadrive, but cheap?

If you're handy and like hacked-together solutions, then a couple of CV joints from a high-powered front drive car, a suitably sized thrust bearing, and a bit of machine shop work might do the trick.

For CV axles to be worthwhile, you also need engine mounts that are softer and allow more travel than standard mounts. And for CV axles to work at all, you need extra length- eight inches minimum, more is better- for the CV assembly.

Zoef · 09-04-2012, 11:44

9 years ago I opted for the Pythondrive as it was substantially cheaper than the Aquadrive. With 70 cm between the seal on the stern tube and the engine flange I could shorten the shaft while in the water and glass in a frame for the thrust bearing. Just to be sure, I first cut about 2 cm too short of the prop shaft and after positioning all the parts I made the final cut. Scary, there is no way back...
The engine mounts I replaced only last year and it made a difference!