Cal500 surface drives

[Corysprouts84]

Dont know much about surface drives so i have a few questions. Looking to bolt them up to my 31' cat. I have 454s with velvet trannys. Not sure what i would have to convert. Like i said dont know much about surface drives. Owner of the drives say they need the prop shafts but should be a direct bolt up. Ive included a pic. Please help.443811443812

[Dave S]

I hope ya didn't buy them yet.........don't think they are for speed/boat.... non trim/no steering..... using rudders......? slow boat stuff......

[Corysprouts84]

Dave s i didnt yet. They were on a scarab 40

[johnmiffco]

agree with dave
fishing/cruiser boat set up ,,,,,
just cause were on a scarab don't mean they belong on,,,lol
as probably why taking off
locked angle of drive with rudders behind is not fast/hp set up
if u have 454s with velvets then u probably had trs drives,,,,
there is a few sets of #3 speedmasters for sale
that would be ur simplest conversion to put on and have real hp drives

[Corysprouts84]

Johnmiffco thank you. I abandoned the deal. Id love to run surface drives. Trying to find a whole set up. Id entertain getting rid of the 454s/trannies.

[johnmiffco]

u do know the #3 speedmasters are surface drives as why I suggested
as are old school race drives can pick up complete transom assy and drives cheap
and u can hook them up to ur velvets,,,,,,
matches the era of 454 and velvet,,,,
#3 will handle over 600 hp
#3a is same bigger shafts to handle 750
then u have little newer 4 & 5s cost a bit more made for bigger power
but 454 on velvets 3 is the best bang
and proper drives for a hp boat
u givin no info on boat and mootr power what u wanting to achive
so best info can give back to u ,,,,,,
also #3 replaces the trs gimbels with ease

[Corysprouts84]

Yes i know about the speedmasters. I meant go bigger motors. Johnmiffco. My cats 31' 9' beam. Not real sure on the weight. Im thinking around the 8000# range. Just want to have enough umph to get me from here to there and not drag the bow plowing.

[Dave S]

Hey John He has a old race Pop eyes boat......I think the #3s on parts for $8500..... with a spare lower is the best bang for that boat..... But some people just want Outboards...Just depends on what ya like/ want.

[johnmiffco]

al copelands popeys is a very heavy old boat
3s or 3as would match the era of the boat and do all u want with 600-800 hp pr side
saw asking about o/bs for that hull would take 3 to push it descently
only real surface drives would work is arnesons #8 and wait till hear a price and parts are hard to get
guy named rik is selling his version #7 and break a lot with any descent power so would stay away from them
as why speedmasters is best choice

[Corysprouts84]

Johnmiffco im looking at triple 300 outboards. Ive pretty much ruled out big block/surfaces. Boat weighs in right around 7k not rigged. I found a couple different sets of triples. Found some evinrude g2s or verado 300s ive got my eyes on. Id love to do 4 but dont want the boat to get swamped by wakes in the ass end.

[johnmiffco]

there also is a set of triple 300xs motors on FB coming off a fishing boat with pretty low hrs and only 22k for all 3
they are 25" motors with fleets
but can take off the 5" spacer and add nosecones for cheap set of xs motors
or sale fleets to buy sportys
as xs motors are lighter than verodos
I was around the offshore stuff in the 80-90s and still do offshore poker runs today
was around al back then and what a character,good guy,did a lot for offshore,,,,,,nice to see pics when finished

[Corysprouts84]

Johnmiffco where at on facebook? And yeah im excited to get the boat finished. Im keeping the same paint scheme he had just changing the colors. I still have the original wrapped seats that say copeland racing.

[johnmiffco]

used just used the FB search bar "mercury 300 xs" and came up,,,,
shows sold,,,,,,saw them only few days ago,,,,was at 25k on original listing I saw em listed @ 22k
good and cheap don't last,,,,,

[Corysprouts84]

Yeah i know right. Whats your thoughts on 4. You think it would be too much weight?

[johnmiffco]

4 too much on 9' hull
cool old boat with race history,,
old school boats were thick glass and wood that gains weight with age
not fast by todays standard with o/b
these new 32-34 hulls are only 2500-3000 lbs and more lift on bottom for the o/bs to push
so I can see this 31 being 5-7k and less bottom lift wider flatter pads
so with tripps and gets past 80 doing good and enjoyable

[Corysprouts84]

Thanks for the help john. What size shafts you think. Someone before had mentioned mounting middle engine 3.5" higher. Thoughts on jack plates also?

[johnmiffco]

if talking prop shafts,,,ur merc promax ,xs and verado motors will be 1 1/4
production 2.5s were 1",,,,,
prop shaft shouldnt be a problem unless ur trying to drive hard in the rough and catching air a lot
2 things on conversion gota keep in mind is reinforcing transom as u plug the I/o holes to hold the weight
and center motor we usually add a little triangle pad in the tunnel to break the water so don't hit the mid section
so it don't take a beating so much,,,,
that hull I think had a vee in the tunnel ,,,so 1nce u mock up center motor height can see if that is enough for water not to hit the mid,,
as far as jack plates ,,,,,good hp plates 1/2" for the beating,,,,offset 6-12" as has flat transom with no notch so can pull back to get some water rise,,,also not being 100 plus boat not as much air packing to lift bow,,,so little further back will help bow rise
ive never put o/bs on 1 of the older chris cat/shadow cat and all of its copies so just giving an educated guess on starting points
and yes center motor start 2-3 above outside can always raise motor but no fun to lower after frying a motor,,,,lol

[Corysprouts84]

Johnmiffco im already going to put 45 braces from transom to stringers since i am rebuilding transom anyhow. By shaft i meant 20-25-30" shaft for lowers. It does have a v in the hunnel. The engine bay/transom also have glassed in seperation walls. I can send a picture. The transom has 2- 3/4" sheets of plywood behind the glass. It has been reinforced since the last time copeland owned it the boat had turbines. Ridiculous lol i have pics. Ive got the line on 2 300s and a 375 for the middle. Im thinking 25 or 30" shafts for outsides. And a 20-25" for the middle.

[Dave S]

John is ya best bet for info.....IMO..... I would go SSM4 and keep the classic.....like a hemi car with org paint....

[Dave S]

Got a line on2.... 250 yammi oxs... 30 inch.....$2000......Cheep junk.... slow....

[johnmiffco]

them hulls are pretty tall 20" motor is approx. 29=30" from motor mount clamp to center of propshaft,,,add 5" for 25"
so gotta measure where u want top of motor mount clamp to be to get that,,,,
I agree some speedmasters as ur velvets will tie up,,,just add clutchplates to hold different powers
and some mild 540s 600-700 n/a to be dependable and go
but if want to convert its ur boat to do so

[Dave S]

The 250s were sold.....As per JM.... tak...... his Advices

[Corysprouts84]

Johnmiffco and dave s. Im committed to big blocks with blowers and eventually surface drives. Trs for now tho.

[Dave S]

no..........don't go arnesonssss.... ck the drives on S/F..... $$$$ 8500 great deal..... prob get chepper with $$ in hand,

[Dave S]

trs.... are good.....but for the $$$$ them SSMs are bullet proff..... JUMO......Seek good advice.......Hic