Installing a soft clutch into a boat... Help...

[Basil135]

Here is the story...

We have a Ramsay hull ski boat, running a 308 direct drive. I want to install a soft clutch to make it easier to drive, and safer for the kids.

Just dropped into a boat dealer as I was passing, and his response was "dont bother, but come & have a look at what we have for sale..."

Now, I know that she is an older boat, but it gets up & goes like there is no tomorrow, and we like it for what it is. (And SWMBO even likes the name - good thing with 3 daughters...)

What I am wondering is, has anyone here installed a soft clutch, or had it done, and what was involved?

Cheers...

[weeds]

soft clutchs are great but i guess wold be exy......what about the dog clutch

my mates first ski boat had the old style dog clutch and we all learnt how to ski with no problems 'kids included', his second and third shi boats had solf clutch setup, O so nice

[Basil135]

Happy with a dog clutch too...

I have no idea how either of them work, so.........

Any really general ball park ideas as to how much $$$?

[weeds]

i have no idea on costs, they shouldn't be too difficult to fit

[Tote]

In my (limited ) experience soft clutches are usually incorporated as part of a v drive where power is taken from the engine forward, through a set of gears and the clutch mech and then the prop shaft comes back through the hull, potentially making converting a direct drive setup expensive. If you like the hull though it's worth persuing as there are a lot of hulls out there that you probably won't like.

Regards,
Tote

[Blknight.aus]

naff the clutch, push it backwards and install a torque converter

[clean32]

got any picks of your current setup. flywheel direct drive boult up etc