Ben Hur surface drive

[stupidbaker57]

surface drive 001.jpg

surface drive 002.jpg

surface drive 004.jpgIt's been a while since I have worked on my "project" 'cuz I've been waiting for a parts from the machine shop, but I finally got them. I just received my rudder that sells for $795 retail but used on Ebay it was only 40 bucks. I steering bar is wood but only for design purpose. It'll be steered by cable and pulley.

[DeanFHobart]

I'm curious as to how much you have in out of pocket cost, including the motor, fittings, welding, rudder, etc. ?

Thanks.

[stupidbaker57]

This is just a ball park number, but close

Boat 200 (I built it)
Engine 60 Ebay
suface drive 120 Ebay
prop 100 Ebay Ron Hill
rudder 4 Ebay
steering wheel 5 swap meet
misc. nuts, bolts and steel stuff 50
machine shop work free I own a lathe

Seeing the look on the face of the guy with the $20,000 boat as you pass him.....PRICELESS

[Mark75H]

Get it wet!

[Ron Hill]

As a man who has yet to test his DIY Outboard, let me say, "Don't rush him",

I tend to think Stupidbakers says a lot here! LOL!!!!

[curbman]

I am waiting for the video, oh and yours to Ron. I would like to see some video.

[stupidbaker57]

I just wish Ron and I weren't on different coasts. We could have a DIY shootout to see who's the fastest.
I'm looking to get it wet next weekend.

[JohnsonM50]

Its very cool.. what to expect..? [what to hope for is obvious= Luck]
You will have to work out drive position so you can get it going, control it & make some speed, if comfort is an option that would be good too. The prop choice will be critical for several reasons. Maybe the most initially important, hope it doesn't vibrate. Good Luck on test day, Hope it goes good & faster than $20G's worth of financed tupperware-hardware. That wood be priceless

[zul8tr]

Cool rig
Take it slow first time till you get the feel and behavior
Tell us about the drive shaft lubrication means. Simply greased or?
Do you have other props to try?
What is the pitch and diameter of the prop in the pic?
It is direct drive, right?
What Hp?
How did you determine the length of the engine straight pipes?
What rpm are you shooting for?
Couldn't see in the pics but do you have a left sponson fin?
Based on steering performance and desired speed consider trimming some length off the rudder.

Good luck on test day

[stupidbaker57]

The shaft has a tapered bearing on the bottom for thrust running in #90 gear lube. The upper bearing is a sealed roller bearing. The prop is a Ron Hill 7.5 X 12 cleaver..There's no turn fin since this is not intended to race and I might want to turn right once in a while. If the rudder is too deep, then I will make a shorter one. Really don't want to cut this rudder because I want to use it on a furture project.