Azipods

[PilotWolf]

So has anyone here tried them and the Volvo IPS?

Do they compare based on size?

Azipods seem like a video game with zero actual feedback other than visually- are the IPS the same?

W.

 

[Csfisher]

My experience probably isn't relevant since the only azipod vessel I've driven was 4,000 tons and 300ft long or a harbour tugboat.

I can however say that it was the most pleasurable vessel I've ever 'driven'. Being able to use 90 degrees of rudder to turn was immensely fun, and combined with a powerful bowthruster means that Berthing was a breeze! Similarly man overboards were easy, and the ability to rotate the pods to conduct an emergency stop vice reversing the propulsion was helpful for us.

The pain however, was maintenance. Any sort of issue with the motors or unit required a dry dock or divers at the least. That being said, just being an electric motor meant there wasn't a great deal to go wrong, no stern seals and very few actual moving parts.

How much of that relates to a pleasure craft, I don't know. But Berthing went from being a pain sometimes to an absolute joy every time. I genuinely looked forward to going on to and off the berth. The way my ship was setup was that it had a wheel in addition to the pod controls so you can steer in the conventional manner when in open water. Now on a ship, all of our steering helms are 'fly by wire' so o didn't notice any lack of feedback like you might of coming from a vessel with mechanical steering of course.

My ship had the little joystick for dynamic positioning much like the new fancy pleasure boats have but in all honesty we never used it - found we had far better control by manually controlling the pods, but in theory it was a nice idea just poorly implemented on my vessel I suspect. But given a little practice I really don't think you need those systems, plus they take all the fun and satisfaction out of mooring.

 

[Csfisher]

Edit: oops, I just looked up the IPS, They're actually not azipods but azimuth drives.

Azipods, which I referred to are electric motors in a self contained pod powered by a generator within the ship.

Azimuth drives are mechanically driven pods with a shaft that penetrates the hull as per the Volvo system.

Operating they give a very similar system except the throttles on azimuth drives will feel more conventional Vs an electric motor of an azipod.

Maintenance is generally easier with azimuth drives, and also they tend to be more powerful as they're directly driven by the engine - downside however there are more moving parts to go wrong.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

I have only seen Azimuth on big 100 feet or more super yachts.

Maiora fitted the Fortjes French versions to a 29 meter some years ago. Fortjes has a forward and a rear propeller.
Improve-it = Fipa Maiora 29

Benetti AFAIK also launched in the end nineties In Pictures: The Benetti Reverie second in size and first in volume
was the first to use Azi-Pods.

 

[ShaneAtSea]

Azipod's have become increasingly popular with cruise ship architects over the years....especially larger ships like the RCCL - Oasis class

 

[Mr Googler]

Worth a watch….engine room in the bow!

 

[PilotWolf]

Azipod's have become increasingly popular with cruise ship architects over the years....especially larger ships like the RCCL - Oasis class

Some of the smaller ones too - much easier to go sideways

W.

 

[PilotWolf]

Worth a watch….engine room in the bow!

One of my ex stews worked with Tristian - not sure it was a happy match...

W.