ZEUS DRIVES

[gradyfish265]

I've now driven boats with both drives and both are impressive. Ran a Zeus boat, was not thrilled with all of it but it was a very good system. Could not get the boat on plane with Zeus tabs full down, had to tab up to get on plane. This boat was a prototype for this propulsion package and was fresh from the factory on a tour of the E coast with Cat C-9A power. Also drove an IPS boat at a boiat show. Not thrilled with the IPS facing forward, it is too easy to hit something but I have not heard of too many problems so far with that issue. The zeus needs tunnels, not exactly efficient on smaller boats, they are better on larger boats, and the tunnel provided is fairly generic, not excatly designed for your hull which is not the best, but it does protect the drive and reduce draft. Both have a simulated anchor...worthless to most. Many builders are not even offering it fearing people will swim with it running and get chewed up in the props....people are dumb enough for this. I only see it being used for those who like to cast off the bow and fish, or for someone waiting for access to pass under a closed bridge. You cannot use it to go swim and have fun, and you cannot fish with it out the back with the prop current creating turbulance and annoyance to your fishing lines. Ther joysticks are nice, but both are slightly clunky if your not used to it, experience with it will eliminate that. There is a 36 and 40 cabo with Zeus out now. Also a few more IPS boats, Luhrs and rampage have introduced them. I know of a handful of other builders who will be offering them shortly. I'm working on a project with them now, possibly both as an option but that is undecided yet. Both system has its high and lows and both are great. They handle way better then an inboard and are cheaper to buy, install and to run. They do save a good deal on fuel since you can run at similar speeds with less power, which means less burn throughout the spectrum. If you ran the same engines you would see the same fuel burns, just at higher speeds.

[Questsportfishing]

I do like the new Cummins / merc drives and we are getting ready to do a Bertram 28 to single diesel and flatten the floor (hate the step up!!!!) out to the front bulkhead. the engine box / seat / rocket launcher should be a positive and needed addition to these boats. fuel will be great and speed should still be in the 27kt. cruise side in any weather. will post work in progress as I go. I like the aft faceing pod drive in prop pocket situations though!

[Shortfin]

Station Keeping my A$$ at a dock ?

They are only as accurate as the Gps input signal 7 feet or so

Watched a vessel that was turned on to station keeping at a dock and it almost ripped the cleats off

what valuable use does this have other than Bottom fishing ?

next you will hear about some knuckle head is going to turn it on and deploy a party of swimmers and the next thing that happens ,you can guess

The concept of the drives is great and i wish both these systems the best going forward into this emerging technology

[freedomboatworks]

Freedom Boatworks will complete a 56 footer with triple IPS 850's in May. Actual test funs in a similar hull produced 42+ knots top end, and 30 knots at less than 50 gallons/hr. 4 stateromms, 3 heads, 2 of the staterooms with walkaround queen berths. Built by Jim Polatty, formerly general manager of Sculley, and previously with Buddy Davis.....among the most experienced and best Carolina builders. Visit www.ncfreedomboatworks.com.

[Flatdog]

Hey guys any updates? how close to the launch are you?
Projected top end (wot) with 3 x 650 hp motors weight of the boat etc etc etc

[54bullwinkle]

Will be interesting to see where it all goes.
Paul Spencer is building a 49 express with IPS that can be upgraded to the 900hp IPS motors when they come out. Projected numbers on speed and efficiency are impressive. Will be at the 2010 Miami Show. His 43's are great boats.

[Flatdog]

Is zeus bring out upgrade hp wise? like the idea of tunnels.
43ft is a tad to small like the idea of a 55 ft+/- in aluminum, seems the package from Zeus is all "inclusive"! And I have a chose of different motors, that said I hate cats.... IPS EVERYTHING IS EXTRA......... as far as I can see.
any comments?

[freedomboatworks]

Motors and drives arrived Friday. We'll be running before the end of the month.

[PacificBlue]

This boat was a prototype for this propulsion package and was fresh from the factory on a tour of the E coast with Cat C-9A power.

Just an FYI - the CAT/Zeus package on that Sea Ray was not a Sea Ray Factory effort what so ever.

It was a CAT project without factory support.

The 44/43 Sea Ray's with Cummins/Zeus have no problem getting on plane and the auto-tab's work just fine.

Note - The Cat C-9's are heavier than the Cummins QSB's.

[Bligh]

Station Keeping my A$$ at a dock ?

They are only as accurate as the Gps input signal 7 feet or so

Watched a vessel that was turned on to station keeping at a dock and it almost ripped the cleats off

what valuable use does this have other than Bottom fishing ?

next you will hear about some knuckle head is going to turn it on and deploy a party of swimmers and the next thing that happens ,you can guess

The concept of the drives is great and i wish both these systems the best going forward into this emerging technology

Heard the same thing from a local marina owner in south jersey about the holding station feature???? I think they only guarantee 15 ft acuracy with gps with out the diferential working? the engineers can draw a perfect arse hole but they cant make it shiet!