Thread: ST 50 Purchase
View Single Post
Old 02-24-2019, 03:43 PM   #7
Fletcher500
Guru
 
Fletcher500's Avatar
 
City: San Diego
Vessel Model: Helmsman 4304
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 2,005
Pod drives on boats are definitely more reliable than the first gen when they hit the recreational boat market about 10 years ago. Their main focus was directed at people who could write a large check for a sportfisher, express cruiser, etc, but didn’t have the past boating experience or willingness to start with a smaller boat first. They needed a 40 to 50 ft. boat, now. The salesman can then claim the boat is like a video game and even their 12 year old kid can dock it after 3 weeks. Not true, on a lot of levels. Larger boats require previous time at the helm to operate, but that is another thread.

A prop on a shaft is the way to go IMO. With that said, there are people that do like Volvo’s and pod drives. If you really like the boat and the layout, it may work for you. Either way, plan on annual haul outs and a larger budget to take care of the drives.

Also, Check out some of the boat forums where these are used and see what other owners say. It will take time to really comb through there to get the full picture.
Fletcher500 is offline   Reply With Quote