Prop in front?

Arminius

Arminius

Well-Known Member
Oct 30, 2019
1,068
Seattle
Boat Info
Bowrider 200 Select, 2003
Engines
5.0L MPI, 260 hp w/Alpha 1 Drive
The new Volvo-Penta FWD rigs have the prop on the front of the outdrive, pulling the boat. Is that a good idea?
 
My marina is a Cobalt dealer, I see lots of these, mainly on the Cobalt surf boats. I hear they drive pretty much the same as a "pushing" duoprop drive and also pretty much the same in terms of maintenance and reliability. I guess the one negative is your likely to have more prop damage if you hit something. Merc has a version also - Bravo 4.
 
Wake surfing is a hot topic, at least around LKN. I don't think there are any NC laws about the boat type, yet -- and while not the best idea to wake surf behind a traditional IO (I wouldn't do it) and the primary reason for forward facing drives on wake boats, the likely hood of somehow hitting the prop when you are 10-15ft behind a boat moving 15-18mph is pretty low. I have never heard of that happening, but I guess it could if the boat suddenly slows down etc.

The bigger issue with the wake boats is the huge wakes they throw and the seemingly cluelessness of some of the operators. I mean these are expensive big boats built for the sole purpose of throwing a huge wake! And they are very good at that one function! Throw in 15 alcohol infused college aged kids, a 5000watt stereo system that will rattle your fillings loose and old people like me run for the hills! Or at least another spot on the lake. Well, there is a little part of me that would like to join in!

But back to the forward facing drive -- I think it's a solid design and not just for wake boats - as mentioned Volvo has used a forward facing drive in the IPS system for years. I would not be adverse to having one in my sterndrive (not wake board) boat.
 
It would move the pivot point forward of the back transom and have better control like inboards and v-drive configs have today. You would still have the issue surrounding stern drives in salt/brackish water though.
 
For "regular" work, I'd worry about the lack of access to the prop if you need to change for a dinged blade or just unwrap some wayward rope.
 
I believe a lot of ships are built that way.
 
BillK2632 said:
Wake surfing is a hot topic, at least around LKN. I don't think there are any NC laws about the boat type, yet -- and while not the best idea to wake surf behind a traditional IO (I wouldn't do it) and the primary reason for forward facing drives on wake boats, the likely hood of somehow hitting the prop when you are 10-15ft behind a boat moving 15-18mph is pretty low. I have never heard of that happening, but I guess it could if the boat suddenly slows down etc.
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Plus, as soon as you fall, you slow down VERY quickly! :)

BUT... when surfing, you can actually catch up to the boat and then you COULD fall right into the blender.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Plus, as soon as you fall, you slow down VERY quickly! :)

BUT... when surfing, you can actually catch up to the boat and then you COULD fall right into the blender.
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This point exactly is why it is illegal behind a conventional stern drive. I have watched guys surf up onto the swim platform to re-board the boat.

Technically my wake is surfable. BUT the optimal place to surf is about 4 feet astern of the swim platform. Not worth the risk.
 
These new drives have a place i guess. Not around here. Its shallow a lot. With mud and sand. I would rather the skeg hit and bump prior to the prop. Prop recon here is $250 for a SS. Nope, i dont want that being my depth guage first.
 
highslice said:
This point exactly is why it is illegal behind a conventional stern drive. I have watched guys surf up onto the swim platform to re-board the boat.

Technically my wake is surfable. BUT the optimal place to surf is about 4 feet astern of the swim platform. Not worth the risk.
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No laws here in MD on wakeboarding and the type of boat used. Never even heard of that type of law. I wish they would just outlaw Wake Boats in general. They are so destructive to the surroundings. Not to mention how far there wake travels.
 
SKybolt said:
No laws here in MD on wakeboarding and the type of boat used. Never even heard of that type of law. I wish they would just outlaw Wake Boats in general. They are so destructive to the surroundings. Not to mention how far there wake travels.
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Worse than your 460? Not defending wake boats, but man I throw one hell of a wake. There is a section of Sturgeon Bay shipping canal that is NOT designated no wake. I still poke along at 6 knots while the fishing boats (40'ish) fly by me. The water in Lake Mi was so high a couple years ago I was afraid I'd put a wall of water in the living room of some of the houses along the water front. :D
 
spikedaddy99 said:
Worse than your 460? Not defending wake boats, but man I throw one hell of a wake. There is a section of Sturgeon Bay shipping canal that is NOT designated no wake. I still poke along at 6 knots while the fishing boats (40'ish) fly by me. The water in Lake Mi was so high a couple years ago I was afraid I'd put a wall of water in the living room of some of the houses along the water front. :D
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No definitely not, my boat throws one hell of a wake. But I am not on a lake or running are cruise around moored boats either. The wake boats run very close to anchorages and mooring fields. Here on the Chesapeake waterskiing is allowed right on top of anchorages.
 
Stee6043 said:
Can you cite this law? I would have never imagined they could specify a law by type of propulsion?
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It is on my lake. But maybe it is a Corps of Engineers rule. They vetoed those kite tubes a month after the first one showed up on my end of the lake. I do know that Water Patrol, which is a division of the Missouri Highway Patrol (state police) enforces it on our lake. I don't have to worry about it, I would never take on that liability or put my friends or family in danger like that.
 
SKybolt said:
No laws here in MD on wakeboarding and the type of boat used. Never even heard of that type of law. I wish they would just outlaw Wake Boats in general. They are so destructive to the surroundings. Not to mention how far there wake travels.
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Wakebording is not an issue. It is wake surfing that is at issue.
 
highslice said:
Wakebording is not an issue. It is wake surfing that is at issue.
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Sorry, that is what I meant. The one with the huge wake. It should not be allowed near certain area's like anchorages and mooring fields.
 
SKybolt said:
Sorry, that is what I meant. The one with the huge wake. It should not be allowed near certain area's like anchorages and mooring fields.
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I agree 100%. They come blowing into coves where there can be 10 or 20 boats anchored, music blasting completely oblivious. I can't imagine the damage they do to docks. When they are set up for surfing and have the wake shaped it can be bigger than the wakes thrown by 60' + cruisers we have on the lake.
 
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