Max Dual Propellers

[jpswift1]

Some very early Maxes were equipped with two propellers out the back of the tub. There were two holes on the rear part of the frame on the Maxes where they would fit through and I believe drive off of the rear axles. I found a few Max tubs (which were ABS plastic) that had the shape for the propellers molded in them, although they didnt have the propeller units. I would love to build this set up or try and find a Max (which would be very rare) that came with the propellers. I would imagine that it would move very well in the water, and steer very well too since each one would have the capabilitiy to drive independently of the other side. Perhaps this was Recreatives answer to competing with Hustler and Sperry Rand's Wedge jet pump water propulsion systems.

[Mike]

That's a very neat idea. I like the fact that each one operates independently giving you better steering but there had to be a reason that RI only did that on a few of their Max's. Maybe they just got bent or broke too easily when you were on land?

Either way, it would still be cool to have one. You now have a new mission!

[westkymaxiv]

any thing new on this?

[egoperf]

The frame in my red max II has the holes for the prop drive

[john swenson]

another way that would be a pretty simple fabrication would be to run the prop shafts off the rear axles using a worm gear drive. mount the output shafts using 2 pillow block bearings.instead of trying to install some kind of disconnect clutch or whatever,the props would mount to the output shaft with a simple hitch pin. when your not going to be tooling around in the water,just pull the pins and slip the props off.it would'nt matter if the shafts kept turning on land. johnboy va.

[ARGOJIM]

John that may well have been the original design and was my plan also, hitch pins and removable props makes sense to me wanting to trail it also.

[john swenson]

actually, tol-o-matic co. makes a simple 90 degree ''gearbox''. mount it on the rear axle,run the prop shaft from the output of the box,thru a bearing and flange just like the outer axle bearing on the tub, and there you have it. simply unpin the prop when not in use. in fact you could actually mount it on the axle on the outside of the tub next to the outer bearing,run the prop shaft thru a pillow block bearing mounted on the tub. the only difference would be the distance between the props. this would be easier if space was limited inside the tub. check out tol-o-matics products. johnboy va.