Direct drive vs. v-drive

brew · Posted: Sep 29, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject: Direct drive vs. v-drive

If you were looking at virtually the same boat, but had a choice between a direct drive and a v-drive, which would you buy and why? I'm still looking for a new boat and am likely going to try and get one during the round of boat shows this winter, but I'm not sure which is better.

Chad H · Posted: Sep 29, 2005 3:44 pm Post subject:

You lose ALOT of seating with direct drives, and i personally don't like the big box being there. I would get a V.

hamkj · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 303 City: City

Test drive both and go with what you like better... Pros and Cons for both. It is a matter of preference...

I would say that V-drives have better resale right now.. because that is what is being built and sold 90% of the time...

But if you are one of those that buy and keep forever... who cares about that... the D-Drive is much more service friendly!

Seating is preference... performance is preference...

Willy · Outlaw Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 159 City: Montreal

1) WAKE: Look at it this way: with proper weight distribution, the D-drive can get the same wake as the V-drive. But you'll never be able to do the contrary if you like to ski, since all the weight of a V-drive is already in the back.

2) SEATING: If you're not planning to ski at all, then a V-drive might be a good choice because of its' more "sociable" seating configuration.

So, it boils down to FUNCTION versus FASHION.

holdsworth · Posted: Oct 02, 2005 5:56 am Post subject:

i would go with a v-drive because of all of the weight from the engine and the factory ballast already there. we have a d-drive, though, because we are on a private lake and the owner slalom skis a lot.

Bruky · Guest

Willy, except most hulls used in v-drive applications nowadays aren't available in a direct drive configuration...unless he's looking at a Moomba or something. I don't really give a sht about them, but maybe they still use the same hull for d and v-drives...? It'd seem like the cheap thing to do.

V-drives are just as easy to service, unless you're incapable of pulling a couple screws and pulling out some dividers.

brew · Posted: Oct 02, 2005 12:15 pm Post subject:

Bruky, I thought Supra's and Malibu's also had the same hull design available in direct or v-drive.

Are the direct drives louder inside the boat with the motor right in the middle, or is it insulated enough where you can carry on a conversation with the motor running? Also, we slalom every now and then, so is a v-drive out of the question.

Bruky · Guest

Yeah, Supra does. The 21V makes quite a moderately shaped and firm wake as well. Malibu has that weird Xti direct drive that shares a hull with the 21' and 23' v-drives. It's not a standard direct drive seating config, though. The 23' Malibus produce a shizzy wake for boarding or skiing, not sure what difference a dd config in the VLX hull would make except screwing up your boarding wake and still making a shikljasdfltty ski wake. Question

Get a Nautique SV-211. V-drive seating, good ski wake. Problem solved.

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

ty540 · Addict Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 603

Bruky,

You don't like the Malibu 23 lsv? That boat has an unreal wake if weighted properly.

jason2454 · Outlaw Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 240 City: austin

ive got no complaints from our 'BU 23 lsv wake. Its resulted in a lot of malibu converts hehe. Back to topic though.. i would go with a v drive just because i prefer all the extra interior space. People argue that v drives have a better wake for boarding also... but fat sacks can fix anything i guess.. as far as stock ballast systems go though, a vdrive will win there.

Neognosis · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 17617 City: Webster

I have a d-drive 03 wakesetter. I like the wake a lot. The engine box really doesn't bother anyone much, we put our feet up on it, sit on it, stand on it, whatever. It is super easy accessible.

However, it would be nice to have the U seating of a v-drive.....

J-Ro · Posted: Oct 03, 2005 11:00 am Post subject:

cameraboy, same here. Doesn't really bother me and big people can stretch out more.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

As many have said it's personal preference. If you play with the weight you can throw the exact same wake with a V or D drive if they have the same hull. So wake is not a factor. In my mind it boils down to this:

Advantages of Direct Drive:
1. Better ski wake hands down.
2. Easier to maintain (easier access, less complex tranny)
3. More walkway space

Advantages of V-Drive:
1. Seating configuration ( the people in the backseat can actually talk to the people up front)
2. More+better storage and room for weight. The V-drive compartments hold a lot more than any trunk offered in a direct drive.
3. Better for surfing. With the engine weight in the back it will inherently give a better surf wake.

I never ski and love the easy storage in the V-drive compartments so my next boat will hands down be a V-drive. Not to knock the D-drive though. They're great boats also.