Glen-L.com

I have a 318 Chrysler witha a Paragon v-drive. The block weight is close to a small block chevy. Manifolds guessing at 30 lbs each, v-drive another 75bs. The boat is length is 21 feet, aluminum frame 2X4x 1/4 inch tubing. Just looking for feedback.

bbeck,

With V-drive I assume you're locating the engine near the transom. My understanding of the barrel back design contemplates the weight of the engine location very near the center of buoyancy. Is your barrel back designed differently?

Also, as it looks like your boat is mostly wooden, I assume your "aluminum frame" 2 x 4 x 1/4" tubing is referring to the engine stringers. I bet that would work pretty good. and even save some weight.

Love to know more about your interesting build.

Grampa Steve

Grampa Steve, Your correct on the weight distribution on the boat. If I put that too far back, I''ll need trim tabs to get the bow down and 300 HP to do it. I have a long enough shaft, but with a 5 foot shaft and a 15 degree vdrive angle I will have a propeller 2 feet under the bottom of the boat. I am going to make a mockup with with 2x4s matching the angles and see if its fessible without really adjusting the engine where it sticks out of the hatch.

bbeck,
Let us in on why you think a V drive has an advantage over the simpler, lighter and less expensive direct shaft in the barrel back hull with engine close to the originally designed location.
If the engine is moved very far aft, I think the static flotation will look really funny due to the small hull displacement in the stern, will probably disturb performance and even handling safety.
But then again I'm just smart enough on these issues to be dangerous as well.

Grampa Steve

Grampa Steve, The only reason for the vdrive is that it came with the 318 and I really didn't think it through at the time. It came from a boat grave yard in Upper Michigan, out of a 32ft charter fishing vessel. I did not pay very much for it, sell it, and get a velvet 1 to 1 which I can find in the spring.

Is it the type of V-drive that is attached to the engine as opposed to the type in a performance hull such as a Hot Rod or Tornado that sits alone away from the engine?

If it is the attached type, it probably won't change the balance much,but may raise the engine upwards some and maybe cause deck clearance problems

It also may change shaft angle

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Upspriate. Thanks for your thoughts. The drive is directly coupled to the engine. The problem is can I get the angles workable with a 5 foot shaft, about the length to keep the engine as far forward as possible. It is a PV32 Paragon.

Best bet might be to do a mock up with some 2x4's and set the engine,trans,shaft rudder etc and see if it will all work.

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

I don't think you can get it under the hood. Most of us have had to notch a frame to get the engine low enough to close the hatch with a straight set-up. The v-drive will push the engine up.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

Maybe it has been said already..

But I would not move the motor from its designed location and then try to make up the difference with weight or trim tabs and such.
If the V-drive doesn't allow the motor to fit (and I can't imaging it does) - then get a straight transmission.

Once you have been all the way through a build and realize the marine designers did a lot of calculating to make sure the boat runs well at all speeds because the weight is correct and the displacement is correct - you will see.
If you are going to spend the time and money - you should not mess with the designed motor placement.

When I built mine - I painted on the designed water line when the hull was inverted. On launch day - fully loaded and in the water for the first time-





I didn't have add or move weight. It sits right where they wanted it to. Boat performs perfectly.
Check with all of us on the forum who have finished their boats - I'm sure none of us would have moved the motor.
HTH

_________________
Regards,
Bob Perkins

My Current Projects
http://h12restoration.shutterfly.com/
http://nutshellpramconstruction.shutterfly.com/

My Completed project
http://biscayne22.shutterfly.com

Another thought. If you place the engine as low as possible the shaft log will be under the engine. You really don't want that. A straight gear or 8 degree down are your best bets.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

nice job on the frames and stringers
IMO you got some great advice from Bob and Bill in their posts above. Been out in Bob's boat it handles and rides real nice with the mid engine location as designed.
keep the pictures coming!
-Billy

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(insert witty phrase here)
Billy's Belle Isle website

Thanks everyone for all your help. I unbolted the vdrive from the engine, found a old bathroom scale; rolled it on there, 240 lbs. The geometry will not work and it weighs half what the engine does. 1 to 1 velvet next plan.

Perfect!

_________________
Regards,
Bob Perkins

My Current Projects
http://h12restoration.shutterfly.com/
http://nutshellpramconstruction.shutterfly.com/

My Completed project
http://biscayne22.shutterfly.com

I think you're on the right path.

Bill

_________________
Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build