Why Fit an Aquadrive

Marine engines are traditionally coupled directly to the propeller drive shaft allowing engine movement and vibration to travel down the shaft and into the structure creating vibration. The propeller shaft half coupling to gearbox output flange connection needs to be aligned within a few thousandths of an inch and fairly stiff engine mounts or even a solid connection to the engine bed is necessary.

Even if a stiff engine mount is used over a period of time the engine will settle on the rubber element within the mount, and the engine will go out of alignment. Also every time the vessel moves ahead or astern the propeller and shaft thrust will try and push or pull the engine and the only thing preventing the engine movement is the mount, resulting in propeller shaft / cutless bearing wear, more vibration and stress.

Installing the GKN Aquadrive solves the above problem, completely reducing vibration by up to 90%. It allows free movement between engine and shaft, takes the propeller thrust straight onto the hull and allows free movement of up to 25 mm between engine and shaft – up and down, sideways or fore and aft.

No vibration goes down the shaft, the mounts are no longer strained forwards by the propellers thrust and just work at reducing more vibration.