The Aquadrive System

SUPERIOR ENGINEERING

The Aquadrive antivibration system will help you and your crew enjoy the peace and quiet of boating. By isolating the engine from the rest of your boat, noise and vibration are greatly reduced. Most installations result in a 50% or more reduction in cabin or cockpit noise and vibration. Aquadrive will also help to keep your driveline in good condition by minimising wear and tear on the transmission and cutlass bearings.

The propeller shaft is aligned to an Aquadrive thrust bearing, which absorbs the propeller thrust. A Constant Velocity (CV) shaft transmits engine power to the thrust bearing and propeller shaft.

The CV shaft automatically adjusts to changes in the alignment between engine and thrust bearing and allows engine movements in every direction. Unlike standard installations, periodic realignment will not be required. The use of softer engine mounts, which isolate engine vibration from the hull, completes the system. Aquadrive antivibration system creates the necessary conditions for a smooth running, quiet boat.

Aquadrive constant velocity joint cutaway, antivibration system

Engineering cutaway diagram showing Aquadrive an anti-vibration marine thrust bearing drivetrain layout, illustrating soft engine mounts (A), a flexible CV coupling shaft (B), and a hull-fixed thrust bearing unit (C).

OUTSTANDING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE BOATS WORLDWIDE

Aquadrive offers a large variety of different models designed to match boats powered from 5hp to 1500hp, we have a system that’s right for nearly any boat. Whether you are a professional marine engine installer or an enlightened boat owner, we can help you find the system for your application.

A. The soft engine mounts isolate the engine from the hull.

B. The Constant Velocity drive shaft absorbs engine vibrations and eliminates the need for accurate alignment.

C. The thrust unit, fastened on a load bearing hull section, reduces stress on the transmission, on the engine mounts and, in particular, on the engine bearings.

Standalone Aquadrive Constant Velocity (CV) drive shaft with two plunging ball-bearing joints designed to absorb engine vibrations, accommodate misalignments, and eliminate the need for precise engine positioning in marine installations.

CV SHAFT

The drive shaft of variable length includes two true plunging Constant Velocity joints that work independently at any angle, this eliminates the need for accurate engine alignment, either during initial installation or subsequent use. The rolling action of the balls within the CV-joints absorb all axial and radial loads, permitting the use of very soft engine mounts as well as reducing wear in connected bearings. A range of pre-machined gearbox coupling kits allows problem free coupling to almost every marine gearbox transmission. Our CV shafts, as a standalone element, provide a perfect and maintenance free solution for coupling of waterjets, IPS drives, etc. to the remote engine side. Beside the above mentioned homokinetic advantages, the ball joints absorb vibrations through the driveshafts.

THRUST BEARING

Aquadrive thrust bearing assemblies with rubber mounts attach to a cross brace in the hull. Robust bearings transfer the thrust directly to the hull and not the engine. In addition, the propeller shaft is much better supported, leading to smoother running and less wear on the stern seal.

WITH AQUADRIVE

With Aquadrive the engine can be installed in a horizontal position using soft and efficient mounts. Apart from easy installation and permanent alignment, this also leads to better space utilisation while dramatically reducing vibration and noise.

Line diagram demonstrating the hull deflection, shaft stress, and severe gearbox wear that occurs when traditional rigid propeller shafts misalign.

Engineering schematic showing a complete Aquadrive CV shaft coupled directly between a marine gearbox and a bulkhead-mounted thrust bearing.

WITHOUT AQUADRIVE

In traditional installations, the alignment of the propeller shaft to the engine has to be precise and subject to periodic maintenance. Stiff mounts transmit high levels of vibration to the hull, even when perfectly aligned.

AQUADRIVE FOR V-DRIVES

Aquadrive for installations with V-drive.

Mechanical drivetrain diagram demonstrating a split-component marine installation utilizing dual Aquadrive anti-vibration CV coupling shafts, soft engine mounts, and a dedicated hull thrust bearing assembly to eliminate powertrain stress.