Glen-L.com

Has anybody tried to put a stern drive on a Belle Isle or similar boat?
SteveZ
Calgary

I don't have the experience most on the forum have, but until they can help out, the major considerations I would see would be the major change in balance. Even if the engine is still at the middle of the boat with a driveshaft to the outdrive (I think Chriscraft did the Skipjack ski boat that way in the 80s), the outdrive itself being past the transom would cause a major change. Also, it would ruin the classic look of the varnished mahogany transom.

Scott

Bill Yonescu actually installed an i/o in a modified Tahoe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYa8zXTEHBc

This is a video of it

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

From the Archives ...

Bill Yonescu wrote:
As far as sitting low in the stern... I increased the dead-rise at the stern from about 4 degrees to 16 degrees. This added lots of volume. I also added lifting edges (not sure of the correct term) at both sides of the bottom at the chine line. More volume. These modifications, as well as just increasing the length and beam by 17 1/2 % increased the buoyancy in the stern by about 1000 Lbs. It sits in the water at the stern at the same waterline of the original Tahoe's plans...

Source : viewtopic.php?p=41980#p41980

Here are a few photos of Bill's modified Tahoe at the 2008 Gathering :

_____________________
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec

Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.kanecustomboats.com

Glen-L Boat Video Directory : http://www.kanecustomboats.com/pages/vi ... ctory.html

Outstanding. Were there any reports regarding its handling qualities compared to an inboard drive?

SteveZ
Calgary (cottage in Pointe au Baril, Ontario)

No, he thought he had some mechanical problems,so didn't splash it.

In the videos I saw of it later, it seemed quite stern heavy,but it only showed idle speeds and haven't heard any performance reports.

It needs to be noted that this is not a stock design,he modified it extensively to the point they didn't include in Tahoe areas of the site so not to confuse people.

It is not just a stern drive installed in an inboard design,and is not advised for the "normal" builder w/o design experience to do so.

I know I wouldn't try it!

_________________
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

He had no trouble operating above 55mph and a very stable platform.

I have an interest in building this boat but want to reinstall the reverse transom which would require a full inboard.

_________________
Dave

My Riviera build - the Midnight Cry Project

Video of Midnight in Action
Blog

Few things in the world measure up to the thrill and satisfaction of boating in a boat that you built.

To gain enough space for the reverse transom, you could possibly install an I/O with jackshaft extension to move the engine forward. For a cleaner look, the drive leg's transom assembly could be recessed into the reverse transom. Ask your MerCruiser dealer for a quote on the jackshaft option.

To view these documents, Right-Click and select 'Rotate Clockwise' :


5.7L EFI with Jackshaft - Page 1

5.7L EFI with Jackshaft - Page 2

_____________________
Paul Kane
Kane Custom Boats Ltd.
Chelsea, Quebec

Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.kanecustomboats.com

Glen-L Boat Video Directory : http://www.kanecustomboats.com/pages/vi ... ctory.html

My thoughts also. Why not leave the engine in the original location, and extend a jackshaft to the stern drive eliminating the complexity of adding buoyancy to the stern. The rear seating area would need a center hump for the jackshaft passing through. The remaining complexity will be the redesign of the transom (vee’d) to accommodate the stern drive. (not trivial admittedly)