Cal500 surface drives

[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