First V-Drives

(weswheels) · (weswheels) **Join Date: Mar 2007** 06-19-2008, 11:36 PM

Does anyone know what year the first V-Drives came out? Any pictures?

(mobv) · (mobv) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 06-20-2008, 4:49 AM

The very first v-drive tournament boat was a 1986 Centurion. You can read a little on their website in the history section.

(hal2814) · (hal2814) **Join Date: Feb 2006** 06-20-2008, 5:51 AM

V-Drives are pretty old. Speedboats were using them back in the 50's. As far as pictures, the best I can do is a page with a 1969 Century Arabians on it: http://www.classicboating.com/sold_boats.html

It's about 1/4 the way down the page.

(rio_sanger) · (rio_sanger) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 06-20-2008, 6:15 AM

I remember Sanger was using Walter V-Drives in many of their boats in the sixties and seventies as were other performance boat builders.
As far as V- Drives in tournament boats, George may be right, I don't remember seeing them in tourney boats until the late 80s, early 90's. Centurion, MC Maristar, CC Super Sport, and Sanger V-210 were among the ones I saw most in California, there may have been others out there as well.

(mobv) · (mobv) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 06-20-2008, 8:37 AM

Yes - Walter V drives were used in many boats prior to 1986. Centruion was the first to put in a modified inboard "ski" boat.

(rio_sanger) · (rio_sanger) **Join Date: Apr 2007** 06-20-2008, 8:49 AM

Cool link, Dante. Some really nice boats, and several V-Drive Century boats there.

Brings back early boating memories (pre I/O and jet era) for me. ...yes I am that old

Interesting though, how it's gone full circle back to inboards...

(mobv) · (mobv) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 06-20-2008, 8:50 AM

The Walters web site says they have been making v-drives for marine applications for over 50 years.