Scampi 30 Hydrolic Drive

[moconnell]

I have a 1976 Scampi 30 with a hydraulic drive located in the bilge. Currently the bearing & seal inside the drive needs to be replaced.
This will be the second time in 5 years. I''m hoping someone has an idea for a permanent solution. I''m considering removing the engine & drive & hanging an outboard on the back. Has anyone else done this to a similar size boat?

[waltward]

Hello Mike

I am at the inland end of Lake Charlevoix in Northwest Lower Michigan. Lake Charlevoix opens into Lake Michigan. There is a boat just like yours here that had a problem with the hydraulic drive and the owner hung an outboard on it. I think it was it was a Johnson 15hp. He sold the boat late in the summer before this last. This past summer the outboard was gone form the boat. I assume that the new owner was able to get it repaired. I am sure the engine & drive was never removed.

I do not know the owner, but I am sure I could chase him down, and he might be able to help you with info as to what was wrong with his, and what he did to get it going again. He may know the people the people who can keep it operating for longer than five years. On the other hand it may be a problem that plagues that particular installation. In that case I think I might plan to change the bearing and seal evey four years. It would be a lot better than having the outboard hanging back there, and no doubt would cost a whole lot less than making the switch.

By the way, it seems to me that I remember the Scampi winning a lot of races back in the 70s.

Walt Ward --------- waltw@twin-valley.net