Aquadrives

How does it solve shaft alignment problems?
Marine engines are supported on timber or steel bearers fixed into the hull. These bearers are positioned to allow the engine to line up roughly with the shaft. The engine is then adjusted on its mounts so that it lines up with the propeller shaft coupling within a few thousands of an inch. All this takes hours of painstaking work. And then when you launch the boat, or tighten the backstay on a yacht, it all moves slightly and needs to be done again!

The Aquadrive changes all the rules. The propeller shaft fits into the Aquadrive’s thrust bearing, which is fixed firmly into the hull. The engine is connected using the Aquadrive’s special drive shaft. This allows misalignment of 12.5mm (1/2”) – or more on larger Aquadrives. Engine alignment can even vary while running, so the movement on an older or timber hull is not a problem.

Can the engine be installed flat?
Marine engines are normally lined up with the propeller shaft, which has to angle down through the bottom of the boat. The engine therefore ends up with its front higher than its back, wasting precious headroom. Fit an Aquadrive between the engine and the shaft and suddenly you have an angle of ten degrees or more, allowing the engine to be fitted horizontally. The Aquadrive thrust bearing takes the propeller shaft (and the thrust!), and the special drive shaft is simply installed with the desired angle at each end. The maximum angle depends on the shaft speed.

Will Aquadrive help me re-engine?
The biggest problem in choosing a new engine is fitting it in the existing space, with the fewest possible changes to the craft. Just imagine the flexibility if you could put an angle between the new engine and the existing shaft. Or use a longer Aquadrive to lower the whole engine. Or fit the Aquadrive to take out movement between a new engine with flexible mounts and traditional solid sterngear.

How does the Aquadrive help with older boats?
Older boats have two particular problems, both of which make life a misery when re-engining. The stern tube and shaft are rigidly mounted in the hull, so the extra vibration of a new and flexibly mounted engine will simply destroy the sterngear. And older hulls, particularly timber ones, flex a great deal in the water causing the engine alignment to change. Aquadrive solves both problems by allowing free movement between the engine and the shaft. The movement of the new soft mounts, and alignment changes due to hull flexing, can be ignored.

What is the maximum angle per CV joint on the Aquadrive?
8 degrees depending on which joint , only the smaller joints can have 8 degrees. If you require more than 3 degrees per joint ask us to carry out the GKN expected CV joint life calculation, this will ensure we specify you with the correct CV Shaft for your installation.

Do I have to install the Aquadrive CV shaft joints with an angle?
Only on the larger CV shafts where it is crucial the  CV shaft joint balls move in their tracks to spread the grease to maintain lubrication of the balls and tracks.

Can I get spares for my aquadrive.
Yes, a full range of spares are available or we can rebuild your old unit.