IPS revolution or no...

[PowerYachtBlog]

Volvo have announced the introduction of 2 bigger IPS drives in order to target the 16 - 18 mtr market after the intorducing of the first 2 units named 500 - 600, which have great sucess so far
the new models are the 750 and 850
They also say this new propullsion technology is as big as the anchor and have made its way in just 2 years under the hulls of around 100 boats....
these are some of the famous boats equipped with IPS so far:

Azimut 43 S
Absolute 56, 52 and 47 *
Cranchi 43 Meditteranee *
Princess V 45
Fairline 44 Targa GT *
Airon Marine 4300 T-Top
Bruno Abatte G 46 Aerotop Pininfarina *
Beneteau 12 Flyer
Abati 46 Newport
Baia 43 One
Bavaria 44 *
Blumartin 1350 / 1390
Elan Power 48
Fiart 50 Genius
Marquis 420
Lazzara 75
Sarnico 43 Maxim / 43 Spider
Rodman 41
Sessa C 46
Astondoa AS-43 Open
(* IPS only)

now for market success this will be a bit more difficult IMO, as stern drives always felt a bit tight in boats 12/13 mtr +
can Volvo attract builders which still seem to beleive shaft is the way for boats over 15 ms
we just have to wait and see

 

[powerskipper]

IPS certainly makes them easy to handle, and gives a nice ride characteristic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Alistairr]

Excellent info as usual, but add Cruiser Yachts to the list, I've tried their 390 with IPS, and the models from their up, also are available with it.

Cheers
Al.

 

[pissativlypossed]

I have to say that I favour the idea of IPS, I have put my boat up for sale with a broker, with a view to upgrading to something bigger with IPS. The problem is that after buying new last time and having to sort out all the snags that seem inherent with a new boat, I was hoping to find something 12-18 months old that someone had already sorted.
There doesn't seem to be many IPS propelled boats around nearly new, although I am deliberately trying not to look to hard, as I don't want to end up owning 2 boats.

 

[Nick_H]

You can add Prinz 54 to the list, but take off Princess V45 which is sterndrive as far as I know. It's still a fairly impressive list though and shows the builders are happy to fit IPS

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

high Houghn Princess V 45 is available with IPS on request

on standard she is a sterndrive boat like many in the list but if you want IPS are available

what is a fact is that it is easier to fit then shafts,
what I am curious to see if the prime builders of 15 mtr plus fly bridge yachts will go on with the new tachnology instead of the realibilty of shafts...
btw Grandbanks will introduce a 41 EU next year with the similar Zeus drive...

 

[Nick_H]

I agree it'll be interesting to see how much they are used. Actually the advantages should be more significant against shafts than sterndrives, cos the efficiency gap is bigger, plus you get the extra advantages of flexible mountings to reduce noise and vibration, and no soot deposits on the back of the boat.

 

[oceanfroggie]

One thing we don't yet know about IPS - it's maintenance cost over time and hence depreciation effect on boats older than 5 years with IPS fitted. Could be fine, but too early to judge the success or otherwise till it's been around for a decade. I certainly won't be a guniea pig, until it's a little more mature and proven in terms on long term maintenance costs.

IPS looks great, but the proof will be in the eating of the pudding - over time.

 

[holderone]

I have a flyer 12 with Joystick IPS 500 and I have to say that she handles beautifully, we went from Brighton to Dartmouth and back this month on 1200 Litres of Fuel. Not bad for a 43Ft boat fully loaded for a weeks cruise. Maintenance so far is really no more than I had on my Cranchi. Parking in tight spots is a doddle and waiting for fuel doesn't require half the effort that it used to. I think its the way forward but I guess I am biased.