Velvet Drive

[Korkie]

Working on an older boat. Has Crusader 450s and velvet drives. Year 1988. Anyone know of a mechanic in the lower Potomac / Patuxent that works on velvet drives. She made a clunk, now just wants to grind when put in gear, forward or reverse. Thanks in advance.

 

[Seapig]

Working on an older boat. Has Crusader 450s and velvet drives. Year 1988. Anyone know of a mechanic in the lower Potomac / Patuxent that works on velvet drives. She made a clunk, now just wants to grind when put in gear, forward or reverse. Thanks in advance.

 

[Seapig]

I'm a retired auto mechanic with some experience working on older automatic transmissions. I overhauled a VelvetDrive for my own skiboat. It was very similar to an automatic and quite simple to do. I might ask a local auto shop that you trust to aim you at a transmission rebuilder. If you go this route, tell him that the pump can be installed in two ways depending on engine rotation and to pay attention to the position before it gets removed.

BTW. It's surprisingly heavy.

 

[Korkie]

Thanks Seapig. We have been forewarned ref the weight. I think we have found a local marina with a mechanic that is familiar with these. Plan on taking it out after the 1st of the year.

 

[hottoddie]

Before condemning the Velvet Drive do a close inspection of the coupler and prop shaft just in case it has come loose or sheared the keyway.

 

[Seapig]

Great suggestion on the external stuff. It's also possible that the splines in the clutch plate are stripped. I'd suggest taking a close look at that once the gearbox is removed

 

[Korkie]

Thanks - I have only worked on one of these once, several years ago. Will keep all this in mind. Thanks, K