Been wondering

[specialk]

Search the net, did not find a good answer, any reason boats don't have more than one speed, seem like it would be good to have two forward gears, one to get up to about 25mph or so, for pulling and one to take you up to 50 ish or so for fast cruising, cars doit, motorcycles do it, a fair amount of planes have variable pitch props to counteract it. I mean, cost should not be an issue, my boat cost more than my car, it has more room than my car, and a larger engine than my car (ok I drive a beater) so why would a simple clutch and an extra gear not work. No one cruises around in their car at 4-5k rpm for extended periods of time, but we do that in the boat.

Any thoughts.

[G-MONEY]

Check out MB Sports boats they have the 2 speed transmission

[River Runner]

I would say it has mostly to do with drag.

The cost most likely outweighs the gains you would get.

As posted the MB has a two speed option. Im not sure if their fuel economy is any better?

I do notice an increase in fuel ecomony with the Tige convex hull as opposed to boats I have owned with a hook.

[chpthril]

That in it's self should answer your question, MB is the only one I know doing it I've heard it has a clunk feel/sound to it whan it shifts and it takes some getting used to.

[zad0030]

I think while you are getting on plane, due to the drag, the boat will slow down for a second and do sort of a lunge when shifting.

Down shifting and coming off plane could be a problem.

[Waterski-Rebel]

My dad used to have a prop on his I/O that would shift from a 13 pitch, to a 23 pitch. It worked really well, and gave the boat a great low end, as well as a fast top end. I'm surprised those props never took off. My guess was the price. I think the prop was close to $1000, and this was 20 or so years ago.

[ragboy]

I used to have that prop on my 1995 Four Winns 190, many moons ago. It worked VERY well, best of both worlds. Low end power, then shifted for speed and economy. It even worked like an auto trans, and it would stay in lower gear, if under load. It also shifted, and felt just like a normal automatic car would shift. It was very cool. The prop was pretty damn expensive. The main drawback, is that if you got any sand or ANYTHING in the prop, a bit of weeds, whatever, it would no longer shift to higher gear, and you would be STUCK in low gear, until you cleaned it. Many times requiring removing the prop to clean. From there, I went to a Volvo Penta Stainless steel DuoProp in a 220 Horizon. This gave you similar hole power, and high end, without the shifting. I liked that much better. Only draw back was that it was expensive if you hit the prop, which I only did one time.

With my Tige, I just went to a different prop based on ACME advice. Was told it would give me MUCH better low end, without much, if at all, loss on the high end. The prop was expensive, $600 at wakeside. I finally dinged my prop and got it, it was all that ACME said it would be. HUGE improvement on low end, and handling, and I MAYBE lost 1 mph on top end. So it seems with prop tech, and other means, boat manuf. have found better ways than a transmission.

[tigesinaus]

My dad used to have a prop on his I/O that would shift from a 13 pitch, to a 23 pitch. It worked really well, and gave the boat a great low end, as well as a fast top end. I'm surprised those props never took off. My guess was the price. I think the prop was close to $1000, and this was 20 or so years ago.

i think this is the answear... its pretty much chainging the gears.. rather like what they have in aircraft..

[ragboy]

This is the one I used to have.

http://www.aerostarmarine.com/ppp.html

[Fast1911]

I think the reason for single gear is the simple fact that it has always been that way and works really well

[Jason B]

Just one more part to break. There really is no NEED. Sure, it would be nice once in a while, but not necessary IMHO.


Perhaps that's your billion $$$ idea. Run with it. Make it a retro-fit add on for inboards.

[ragboy]

Just one more part to break. There really is no NEED. Sure, it would be nice once in a while, but not necessary IMHO.


Perhaps that's your billion $$$ idea. Run with it. Make it a retro-fit add on for inboards.

I didn't have it for kicks, when I had it. We used to go to lake mead, and during that time, they were experimenting with water levels in the Grand Canyon. This made it possible to go way the hell up the canyon. I kept looking for ways to extend range from temple bar up, before turning around and having to come back. This did it, I made it all the way up the canyon one year, all the way to the rapids. It was like 75 miles in, from the entrance to the canyon. We were able to get through some rapids, but then they got huge, so we turned around. After that, they roped it all off, and you couldn't get in there anymore, then they dropped the water back down, and now its completely impossible. Unforgettable trips into the canyon.