All of Nauticraft pedal boats share a specially designed drive unit that mates bicycle pedals and crank arms with an industrial toothed belt and sprockets. The long belt twists four times between two large sprockets and two small sprockets - an incredibly simple design that gives required speed increase while effecting the directional transition to the propeller shaft.

The propeller is also specially designed for Nauticraft pedal boats, a two-blade type of large (15") diameter. A "nose" extension transfers thrust directly to the keel(s) of the boat. This means the drive shaft does not have to carry thrust to the drive unit, where a bearing system would be required to deal with it.

The Escapade and Sprite each have one of these drive systems. The Encore has two that perform independently from the other. This "separate action" allows the two Encore operators to pedal at their own cadence or rhythm.

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