Tunnel drive

[Len]

Since I'm not a candidate as I am still working on "even getting an authentic Donzi" I was wondering if anyone has ever looked into these drives, last looked at here about a year ago, for a replacement for an OMC or Alpha. With all the leg changes, Blackhawks and SS's sought out, this one, (model 320)is good for 350 Gasoline ponies and comes with a choice of a variety of adapter plates for mounting to your EXISTING CUT-OUT! Speed gains of up to 18% are achievable. Probably 10-12 mph if all goes well and come with hydralic steering and tilt/trim. Shallow water draft.

http://www.saro-bootsantriebe.de/html/stp-320e.html

Anyone ever priced one? They sell them in Florida at American Power Systems or something. Anyone able to price one as a kit?

305 251 9771

"SARO-DRIVE are fundamentally usable on most of the boats witch are made for conventional drive systems. For the STP-320 models adapterplates are available which exactly fit on the consisting transom hole."





[This message has been edited by Len (edited 06-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Len (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Len]

Oh, and why is it that I tried half a dozen times to no avail to post the image. I know we have been through this before but
1) UBB code is on
2) I read the directions posted at the left of the site here.
3) when I place (type) ... and all I get is a box with a red "X" in it when I view the post, go in to edit it the "img" are now in capitals.
4) I have left the http:// and the .html both in the equation and out of the equation and nothing changes. HELP!!!

[Looped]

Could this be it? I have seen them before. I'm still on a search for a drive too.

http://www.saro-bootsantriebe.de/assets/images/antrieb.jpg

Craig

[Forrest]

They look pretty good . . . If memory serves me right, I think that SARO has had a booth at the Miami show at one time or another.

------------------
Forrest

[Looped]

Actually, this one is better suited for us to handle the HP:

http://www.saro-bootsantriebe.de/assets/images/stpXRlogo.jpg
http://www.saro-bootsantriebe.de/assets/images/XR.jpg

Craig

[Looped]

Looks like they are sold right down by the MadPoddle in Miami too. The only thing now is getting an internal gearbox to get reverse out of it like the Arneson drives. How far forward does the engine need to move up and this takes away room for a closed water cooling system I would imagine too.
http://americanpower.com/

Craig

[Len]

21' boats, 3300 lbs, 300hp small blocks, 67 mph. 18 footers have better hulls, weigh with this drive about 600 lbs less and most have about 350 hp. hmmm. I got onto the big pipe and watched the videos. My only concern is the ride angle. They are all trimmed way to far in. I wonder if there is a reason for this? The hulls remain extremely wetted. They sure back up and turn well tho. I wonder as well if the transom angle indicated at 12 degrees is a maximum or "recommended" as the Classics don't have this. With the trim feature you could easily pull the "leg" out of the water with an 18's transom angle. I wonder if the hook would cause further problems. It would be nice to know if in Germany they like a bow down attitude or if this is a feature of the drive. Anyone else watch the videos? Could they be trimmed up without cavitating and really get the 18's moving?

[Len]

http://www.donzi.net/ubb/eek.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/eek.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/eek.gif

Outta my league. Just got off the phone to American Power Systems. Yikes!!!
Model # STP-320 is $11,073.00 for the drive, then $1849.00 for the prop and another $868.00 for the Torsion Coupling. The same model as above can be upgraded to a "B" version for a small amount which will accept a larger prop.
The STP-XR is $3000.00 more than the above.
Soooo, $14,000 will get you boating if you put it on yourself. For this amount you could buy a couple Imco Bravo's, a Mercruiser XR, half a dozen Alpha SS's or a few Blackhawks, AND have reverse. They require a transom angle (optimum) of 7-9 degrees.
On another note, they sell ZF gearboxes for the above application and most likely Arneson friendly. Model number PL-220. They are $2500.00 new, come in 1.533, 1.7 and 1.235 reduction ratios at this price. They are 13 7/8" in total length (13.88 inches) from flywheel to flange. I should have a fax of the layout of these sitting at the shop when I get back and if anyone is interested I'll post it at photopoint.

[This message has been edited by Len (edited 06-06-2001).]

[Looped]

Yikes is right! Looks like a Blackhawk is still my best bet if I track a "still in the box" one down. Ways-a-way though.

Craig

[Formula Jr]

Seeing Geoo's boat in action I got a little understanding on how it works. A standard surface drive isn't going to help with speed unless you incorporate a horizontal "wing" at the bottom of the drive skeg. This wing is really what makes it workable. The Saro drive doesn't have this component so you will be fighting the trim problem.

[Martin]

You should try to contact SARO in Germany for prices. I know they deliver that STP drives ex works to the most countries and they are not so expensive. They also will help with technical informations and details.