ZEUS DRIVES

[flatbottom]

Has anyone operated one of these drive systems? Are any of the sportfish boat builders incorporating the Zeus drives in their lines? What are your opinions?

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[Proheat]

WOW Flat!!!!..................I never knew that these were on the market!!

They look so easy to maneuver and from the video, should be economical to operate. I personally would like to hear more about these!!

[ShaneS]

The concept of the pod drive system is great. If you ever get the chance to run a boat with either system you will be amazed at the handling characteristics of the boat. There was a test done this year comparing the Zeus, and the Volvo IPS. Doral boats of Canada built two identical boats one with each drive. Both Merc and Volvo were present at the test. Though the results were never published to the public the Zeus has some catching up to do. I saw the data from the results at a manufactures meeting in Wisconsin in early December. The forward facing IPS drive has it over the aft facing Zeus especially once you leave the dock. The IPS planed quicker, and was faster with 50 less horsepower per motor. Merc has their hands tied because Volvo has so many patents on the IPS that they cannot build a drive with forward facing props. Volvo has introduced their IPS to the Sportfishing world, and there are a couple of builders using them. Volvo reprogrammed the computer specifically for the offshore angler to make the boat do things never before imaginable before on a sportfish boat. I spoke with one of the Volvo gods from Chesapeake VA, and they are looking to put more IPS drives on boats with outriggers. I know one of the local Maryland boat builders is looking at putting the IPS on one of their sportfish boat this year. Merc will figure out a way to work the kinks out of the Zeus. We know their pockets are deep enough to do it.

[clt_capt]

The concept is great - both the volvo and the zeus. I think it will take a few years for the technology to get reliable.

There are a couple of builders around - I believe both Zeus and Volvo have made mold inserts available so that all a builder has to do is slide them into their existing molds and they can use the drive systems.

I love the power anchor feature - push a button and the engines use the gps to hold position - great for bottom fishing or jigging...

[whitey]

Paul Spencer has installed IPS on a 43 express.

[canyonjunkie]

Paul Spencer has installed IPS on a 43 express.

and its gets like 1.1 mpg at 30 knts or something pretty amazing for that size boat at that speed and its a beast of a boat

[flatbottom]

T2o add t2o this, there is a new system called the "apollo". This system is also from mercury. It works in conjunction with diesels drives installed on all boats. The same docking and close maneuvering is expected with this system. I will find a vid or two displaying how it works. With the apollo you also use a joystick. When operating the boat looking forward the forward motion on the stick moves you in that direction. When turned around chasing a marlin the reverse on the joystick takes you in that direction.. There is no need to move throttles or a steering wheel. I believe when the throttles are in neutral the apollo system is operable and on line.

[Satans_Chariot]

im playin with 6 of those F*ckers rite now. just kidding, but not really.
vector-directional thrust is fun as shit to play with. and yeah, the smaller systems for small boats are bad ass...

little break down. i can spin a 900 foot drill-ship on a dime, if that dime is about 5 ft in diameter. best part is, you got 2 different modes (same with the smaller systems) transit, and maneuver. in transit, the azimuth is locked along the fore/aft axis, giving you the control you've become accustomed to in a twin screw boat. just that when you turn the wheel, your not turning a rudder, your turning the pods. the fun comes in when you flick over to maneuver, its like playing a video game. your joystick controls your 3 horizontal degrees of freedom; surge sway and yaw. can move sideways, blow a donut, do what ever ya want... just keep your eye on the power u use when your making your moves... if your demand is bigger than the available, some systems have built in limiters and your total power will dip a bit. (haven't heard of problems with it yet, but there is the potential)

shit, you can drop the money on the computer system for the small systems and use it as a rudimentary Dynamic Position system. pretty damn cool stuff

[flatbottom]

Here is the Apollo Drive System video. Does anyone know more on this system and if is has been placed in service. The video says a concept system. I did not see a date stamp when viewing.

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[flatbottom]

pics of the Zeus drive