V or Stern Drive?

[NewPowerBoater]

I realize that the V-Drive and Stern drive both have advocates, but I need help making the decision for our first boat.<br /><br />I've been told that V-Drive boats keep much flatter when driving slow, and getting onto a plane. It also appears that they are much less vunerable to hitting things with the prop. <br /><br />The problems that I see is that for a open bow runabout/ski boat, the choices are fairly limited to Malibu/Mastercraft.<br /><br />I'd like to hear from those who have experience with both.

 

[Walter]

Re: V or Stern Drive?

I'm not sure I'd agree with the notion V-drive props are less vulnerable than stern drives... When fully trimmed down a stern drive and v-drive are equally subject to grounding...but you can trim (lift) a stern drive nearly out of the water when things get shallow...ya can't do that with a V-drive.<br /><br />The mid-engine configuration of the V-drive certainly does cause the boat to respond much differently than a stern mounted engine. I absolutely love the handling characteristics of the tourney ski boats...but I'm a bit of a speed demon, so I've opted for the V-8 stern drive...<br /><br />Good luck in your choice!<br /><br />Walt

 

[JasonJ]

Re: V or Stern Drive?

I think you should make your decision based on what you will really use the boat for. If you just ski, then a V-drive is the better bet, but if you are using it for general purpose, then a stern drive is the way to go. Things to remember are that with a V drive, the prop, rudder, and driveshaft are extremely vulnerable. If you damage the prop, you can't just change the prop while it is in the water (unless you have scuba gear handy). The fact that it has a fixed prop and a rudder means the it will handle much differently, especially at slow speeds, and can be more expensive to repair. You can never beach it or run it in shallow water, and there is less interior room. With a stern drive, you can ski, and do most other things as well. You damage the prop, you cam trim up the drive unit and change the prop while in the water. If things get shallow, you can trim up and avoid the bottom. To me, a boat should be versatile, single purpose boats like ski tourny boats are useless unless you just ski. They really aren't as fast as other types of boats either, the hull is best suited to skiing at 30something miles per hour, and most of the ski boats barely hit 50 mph. Again, this is just my opinion. If I can't fish with it, I don't want it...