Old member....new build....scale build...

[ScarabChris]

Old member back. Got the bug again and decided to do my 50" Apache build. I bought all the parts for this one back in 2010 or 2011. This is not going to be a super fast boat but fast enough and this is the video that inspired me to start it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpidgpvVwoU&t=51s

Similar hull and same drives. He is running brushed motors and the stock plastic 2 blade props and it's plenty fast for what I want to do. I have brushless motors and stainless 3 blade props and modified the lower units for a scale look and it may even run a little faster.

The lower units have nose cones added, trimmed down skeg and has oil fill and drain holes so I can use a proper marine gear lube. This hull has been sitting on the top shelf in my garage for years! But all the parts were still inside. I actually have 4 of these Graupner drives. Two brand new and two used, one used one has bad gears. I was going to try and hunt down some AMPS drives or possibly use the new TFL drives but hell.....I have enough to do this build and probably not spend another dollar. I have everything!

All I have done so far was work the lower units from the two used drives and they need a little more sanding and paint. I'm going to try not to touch the new drives, I want to keep them new for future use or sale. All I need are a couple gears for these drives.


Few pictures....I'll update as I make progress. This used to be a gasser......

[ScarabChris]

Work continues on the drives. Lot of work to make them look (and hopefully work/last) like the expensive ones. I'll need a surplus of gears and bearings I think. LOL

[Kmot]

Oh wow, I like what you are doing to these Graupner drives! Did you machine a new propshaft? Yours looks completely different than mine!

[ScarabChris]

No modifications to the internal parts other than making better seals on the prop shaft output, drive shaft input and the joint between the upper and lower units to keep the water out and gear oil in. I will be filling them with a proper liquid marine lower unit gear lube.

[ScarabChris]

Home made seal that goes between the upper and lower units. These work great. I was able to get the drives to hold pressure. There is a fill on the bottom of the lower unit and a vent on the top. I will be able to fill these with marine gear oil.

[ScarabChris]

Drives mocked up. They need to be raised so I'm going to have to fill the holes and repaint the transom....again....this hull has had the transom reworked 4 or 5 times in the 17 years I have had it. I bought this Aeromarine Apache 50 hull brand new in 2000, it has had at least 4 gas engines and 4 different drive and exhaust configurations.

[grsboats]

Welcome back and took a look to the video of your Apache...great scale running for sure.Thanks for sharing
Gill

[ScarabChris]

Thanks....but the video I posted above is not my Apache. It's a video of another members scale build that got me going on mine.

[Kmot]

The mod's are you doing on these is awesome!

Look at the output shafts on mine. Completely different than yours! And mine have such short shafts and threads, nothing fits except the plastic Graupner props with the brass threaded insert. Obvious now, that Graupner made improvements and mine are the crappy early versions.

[ScarabChris]

Mine are (were) the same. You can buy an adapter that screws on your shaft that extends the prop shaft and gives it a larger diameter giving you more prop options. I cut off the drive dog nubs from the shaft extender and used a new drive dog. There are some slight mods you need to do to the new drive dog to get it right up against the seal. Also you will need to grind a little flat spot on the original prop shaft for the new drive dog set screw. The new shaft extender will go all the way on but I left it backed out a little so there would be room for these props so the set screw on the drive dog hits the original shaft....which is better and safer anyway so the torque of the prop is transferred to the original shaft and not the screw on shaft.

[dasboata]

Welcome back Chris you doing a great !!!

[ScarabChris]

Welcome back Chris you doing a great !!!

Thanks man. You still doing props? I think all the props I have except the ones in my avatar are from you. I have 2 or 3 pairs for my big Fountain and the ones you see pictured in this thread are from you as well.

[dasboata]

Thanks man. You still doing props? I think all the props I have except the ones in my avatar are from you. I have 2 or 3 pairs for my big Fountain and the ones you see pictured in this thread are from you as well.

yes sir drop me a pm i'm here

[Kmot]

Mine are (were) the same. You can buy an adapter that screws on your shaft that extends the prop shaft and gives it a larger diameter giving you more prop options. .

Wow! Okay, please tell me where you got those adapter shafts? And the part number if possible. I want them! :D

[ScarabChris]

Man it was so long ago I really don't remember where I got those shaft extenders. But you should be able to find them with some searching the internet. Maybe post a thread in the "Prop Talk" forum. I'm sure someone would know..

https://forums.offshoreelectrics.com...p?51-Prop-Talk