Information AboutSterndrive |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT STERNDRIVE | |
| propellers | |
| boats | |
| marine propulsion | |
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The engine itself is usually the same as those used in true inboard systems, historically the most popular of which being marinized versions of Chevrolet and Ford V-8 automotive engines. The most popular brand of sterndrive is MerCruiser , produced by Brunswick Corporation 's Mercury Marine , which also manufactures outboard motors. In 1999 the company was sued by competitor Volvo Penta for monopolizing the stern drive business. HISTORY The history of stern drive power begins in 1948 , when Charlie Strang mated an Aluminum Car Racing engine to the lower unit of an outboard motor, in order to create a marine propulsion system more powerful than the outboard motors available at the time. The system would be patented ten years later by Jim Wynne . During the 1950s , both engineers worked at Mercury Marine under Carl Kiekhaefer , who was initially dismissive of and opposed to the idea of sterndrives, but would later capture 80% of the market. In 1958 , Wynne left Kiekhaefer and in less than 90 days "invented" the stern drive. The first commercial introduction of sterndrives was by Volvo Penta at the 1959 New York Motor Boat Show. Kiekhaefer would introduce the first MerCruiser outdrive in 1961 at the Chicago Boat Show. By 1962 , 16 manufacturers were producing sterndrives. There was also the Outboard Marine Company (O.M.C.); however, due to several patent wars, O.M.C. eventually went under. RELATIVE MERITS Advantages of the sterndrive system versus outboards include higher available Horsepower per engine and a clean transom with no cutouts for the outboard installation and no protruding powerhead, which makes for easier ingress and egress for pleasure boat passengers and for easier Fishing . Advantages of the sterndrive system versus inboards include simpler engineering for Boatbuilders , eliminating the need for them to design propshaft and rudder systems; also, a significant space savings with the engine mounted all the way Aft , freeing up the boat's interior volume for occupancy space. This is of particular significance to Consumers who are interested in " Pocket Cruisers ," boats which have amenities like a Head , a Galley , and separate sleeping quarters in a boat less than 30 feet in length. Disadvantages of sterndrives versus straight inboards include the fact that power must pass through two 90-degree Gears to get to the propeller, which is less efficient; also, since the mechanism is more complex it is more likely to experience mechanical failure and require more maintenance, plus with the mechanism located out in the water it is more subject to damage from submerged hazards. Because of their practical advantages and attractive cost, sterndrives have become extremely popular especially for use in pleasure boats, and there are many models of boats for which sterndrive power is the only available propulsion offered. SEE ALSO |
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