V drive in an F26

swkillian · Post by **swkillian** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:27 am

I have seen a few posts referencing a vdrive on an F26. Was this a factory option? How does the boat perform? Are you able to get much more cabin space doing this?

Any pics would be great.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:25 pm

I don't think this was an option back in '77 but may have been earlier or later years. I don't see where you'd get more cabin room as the engine and cabin bulkhead is standard distance on all F26s (unless....nah....there was no option for a larger cabin layout on these boats.....right????)

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:27 pm

We had v-drives in our old boat. We took them to Hampton Rubber and they rebuilt them for us. We put them in and used them and they ran fine. We ended up pulling one again and thought we had a problem. We took it back to Hampton Rubber and the guy tore it down while my son was standing there. Checked the unit and said it was fine. Put new gaskets in and gave it back to my son. They have a person there who really knows V Drives. We were really impressed. They both ran fine.

willietrojan · Post by **willietrojan** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:52 pm

I think the only v-drives were F28's

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Wed Dec 24, 2008 9:07 am

I have a 1972 F-26 with a paragon v-drive. The v-drive is right under the stairs going down into the cabin. It does provide for a slightly larger cabin and puts more weight further aft. One benefit is you have great access to the front of the motor, but the packing nut where the shaft goes through the hull is a nightmare to get to, it's directly under the motor.