how much is it? I cant find that tid bit. But im telling you right now, I would break that piece on the bottom of the boat. No questions asked. I find a hard rock every year at WOT, no questions asked, it just happens time and time again. It just scares is all. I jump my boat quite a bit took. Just run it over stuff and even jump over little stumps into back pockets. Surely they will come up with a different design than an exterior under hull cooling system.
Internal makes a lot of sense and im sure they do that on their boat, but I dont want their boat, I just want the motor. I love the hull I got already. But Im not welding a metal tab on the bottom of my shallow water boat that hold critical fluid to make my boat go forward lol. One thing if it was a boat for the ocean, another when its for a boat that runs 6" of water in and around sand and rocks.
Still cannot find a price on this. This is my thing, there is GOOOBERS of room in my havoc storage boxes. I could easily dedicate a box system that holds easily the same amount of radiator fluid as that loop cooling system they are welding on the bottom of the boat and still have ample storage in the boat. I think the issue with that though is they are relying on the coolness of the water to help keep the fluid cool that circulates into the motor. So it kind of makes sense its at the bottom of the boat I guess. But now I am curious if their boats are an internal system or if they weld it on the bottom of their boats? If theres are internal then now Im pissed about them welding it on the bottom of mine.
The pics I have seen. Is it's welded to the bottom of the boat, with two hose attachments that stick up through the floor.
Agree, I think thats why they went this route. I love the lower on the prodrive though as its tried and true and proven already. The only place I have my hesitation on the freedom is their lower unit. I really question how much upgrade they have done on the gearing in the lower and if its tough enough to take abuse of hitting stuff.
15K is reasonable actually. I would gladly pay 15k for this motor. Any idea who the motor make is? Is it tohatsu as well? I have the 55 efi on my rig now and it runs 30 mph and 28 loaded down. The 55 efi is 12k. So 15k installed is actually very reasonable compared to the 18-20k freedom is charging for their motor. I would think these will be faster setups since we are grabbing so much more RPM and outboard engines are just instant power to the prop compared to a lawn mower engine that slowly builds RPM. If I could gain 3-5 mph (maybe more), I would be a very happy man. I am going to have mine rebuilt, run it for a season or two more, but I am really hoping not to get back into a lawn mower engine for my next. Im ALWAYS watching these motors.
Thats why you pack in a kayak on top of these boats. Its super convenient. I do it all the time and get places no one would think. Hunt right out of the yak if I need to. I rarely even carry oars for my yak anymore, I just hike it with the dog in.
I'm not putting my big backside in a yak or canoe in gator country lol.
ya fook a gator lol. aint cajun enough for that kind of mess. when i went to "naw lens" a few years ago, we took a bayou tour and fed the gators. Could barely understand him because of his thick cajun accent, he jumped right in with them to prove they dont eat anything thats bigger than them. Lol nope, im out. My heart raced for him. If he was attacked, my nurse arse wasnt jumping in to provide any kind of first aid. He was on his own.
So what's under the hood on that bad boy? Is it still a big B&S, or a commercial outboard? I bought a ProDrive 17 x 54 last year, my primary gripe is the engine totally exposed to the elements. And the noise. That aside, I get a lot of use out of it in nasty mud, but it would be nice to have a slightly more refined engine like yours.
Yes it does. Wonder what they do with the lower units?
Im guessing this is a prodigy boat as well? Where do you have the radiator reservoir on this boat? Is it internal on their boats or still welded on the bottom of the boat? I LOVE this lower unit compared to the freedom outboard. The front of the lower looks so much beefier and looks to be able to take so much more abuse. How loud is this setup compared to a surface drive? Im going to have one or the other likely in the next couple years.
So Pro Drive is replacing the stock crank in the Tohatsu engine? Unexpected, since the link between the powerhead and lower unit is a relatively fragile electric clutch.
Those PD lower units are some beefy. Everyone who's looked at mine mentions as much. I'll be curious to hear how you like your reverse setup. Mine has the rotating lower unit, it works fine but I use it sparingly as it's one more thing that could break at the wrong moment.
Ya I love that its quiet, probably much easier to drive as well. For reverse, does the whole lower swing around to give full reverse still? Im assuming it does, this is what makes prodrive a prodrive. The 2 BIG BIG reasons I am contemplating this over the freedom outboard is 1) if cost is 15k installed then its only 3k more than the fastest mudmotor out and very well worth the pennies to me and 2) the lower unit is tried and true. The prodrive lower has been around forever you just dont hear about lowers getting popped or beat or bent or anything. So I appreciate that for this setup. The only con, and maybe its not really one, is the welded radiator reservoir under the boat. I am still cringing at that a bit since these are shallow water boats. But I may just give this a shot. You never answered my question though, is your reservoir welded under your boat or is it under your floor in the hull? Anyway you can send a pic of the bottom of the boat while its on the trailer? I am uber curious. Also, CONGRATS on a fantastic boat, im sure its a ton of fun to drive.
