IPS vs Shafts

[Nick1150]

.....waking up this thread, thanks Portofino for your nice words and imagination!

Actually my original question was and still is the following: Given that IPS is VP and only VP oriented, and also given that we have all heard about IPS issues, from friends (I do), why do yacht builders still prefer IPS solution?

It is really astonishing to see that most or better many builders adopt IPS installations to the extend that in the 40 to 50 ft segment, it is very rare to find new (and used also) boats with good, old, traditional shaft systems.

For example I wouldn't ever imagine a Pershing with IPS... cmooon, Pershing is well known for its surface outdrives and shaft drives for decades...... where are we going? I am not mentioning Princesses, Fairlines and Sunseekers....

Hope all of these makes sense....

 

[Bouba]

.....waking up this thread, thanks Portofino for your nice words and imagination!

Actually my original question was and still is the following: Given that IPS is VP and only VP oriented, and also given that we have all heard about IPS issues, from friends (I do), why do yacht builders still prefer IPS solution?

It is really astonishing to see that most or better many builders adopt IPS installations to the extend that in the 40 to 50 ft segment, it is very rare to find new (and used also) boats with good, old, traditional shaft systems.

For example I wouldn't ever imagine a Pershing with IPS... cmooon, Pershing is well known for its surface outdrives and shaft drives for decades...... where are we going? I am not mentioning Princesses, Fairlines and Sunseekers....

Hope all of these makes sense....

It’s a bit like the electric car debate....in the sense that right now you still have a choice...but soon all cars will be electric and all boats IPS

 

[Nick1150]

You can park your car in the side of the road, not your boat though.....

 

[Greg2]

It’s a bit like the electric car debate....in the sense that right now you still have a choice...but soon all cars will be electric and all boats IPS

Don’t want to start a thread drift but I don’t see that all cars will be electric and I say that as the driver of an EV.

Perhaps more on track I also don’t see how all boats will be IPS. What are your thoughts that lead you to this conclusion?
.

 

[roa312]

One of the main reasons why IPS is favored in the 40-50 ft range is that the engine placement is further aft, allowing for more interior space, particularly full-beam cabins. I'm not convinced that IPS will ever replace shafts in larger boats. As you mentioned, for some manufacturers, the additional interior space is not a significant priority, so they continue to use shafts or surface drives. Additionally, most US manufacturers (enormous market) have switched to outboard engines.

 

[westernman]

One of the main reasons why IPS is favored in the 40-50 ft range is that the engine placement is further aft, allowing for more interior space, particularly full-beam cabins. I'm not convinced that IPS will ever replace shafts in larger boats. As you mentioned, for some manufacturers, the additional interior space is not a significant priority, so they continue to use shafts or surface drives. Additionally, most US manufacturers (enormous market) have switched to outboard engines.

What is wrong with the good old V drive with the engine mounted the wrong way around with the gearbox at the front and the shafts running back under the engine?

 

[Bouba]

Don’t want to start a thread drift but I don’t see that all cars will be electric and I say that as the driver of an EV.

Perhaps more on track I also don’t see how all boats will be IPS. What are your thoughts that lead you to this conclusion?
.

Just a quick trip to any boat show tells the story......and it’s been that way for quite a few years now, so that means anything fifiyish and below will be IPS on the used market.

 

[Bouba]

IPS give you so much as a boat seller....more interior space....and the joystick parking means you can sell to newly minted non boaters...it’s no longer about starting with a runabout and slowing trading your way up boat sizes

 

[Nick1150]

IPS give you so much as a boat seller....more interior space....and the joystick parking means you can sell to newly minted non boaters...it’s no longer about starting with a runabout and slowing trading your way up boat sizes

10000000% right, eventhough I am not an IPS guy

 

[Portofino]

One of the main reasons why IPS is favored in the 40-50 ft range is that the engine placement is further aft, allowing for more interior space, particularly full-beam cabins. I'm not convinced that IPS will ever replace shafts in larger boats. As you mentioned, for some manufacturers, the additional interior space is not a significant priority, so they continue to use shafts or surface drives. Additionally, most US manufacturers (enormous market) have switched to outboard engines.

Agree ^.
But add it costs less to instal VP IPs so reduces the sticker price and / or increases builders profits .
There’s a lot of guys ( and girls for the sake of the forum woke police ) coming through with almost zero technical/ mechanical knowledge when buying cars and motor boats .Let’s call them generation Z .

They know how to swipe a screen but have no idea how mech stuff works .
They are vulnerable to marketing hype .

Rumour has it that Volvo extend a credit line to builders on engine s calling in the “ debt “ when the boats been paid for by the punter .If this is true you don’t need to be a stellar mathematician to see how this effects the cash flow of the builder that gets hooked by VP . Wether it effects the motor/ propulsion choice of the next new modal .. ?

There are plenty of Italian builders still using shafts , numerous just stroll around the Genoa show . Under 50 ft
Tend to be cash rich , large and small or suitability bank rolled to diss miss VP s temptation of free credit .


These “Z “ types will be attracted to tech , lack basic boat parking skills so like moths around a light bulb are attracted to IPS .

 

[Portofino]

What is wrong with the good old V drive with the engine mounted the wrong way around with the gearbox at the front and the shafts running back under the engine?

View attachment 180519

Plenty .
In no particular order .
-Rearward weight distribution.
-Steeper shaft angles .
- End up with prop tunnels .
- more kit ( the v drive g box ) to go wrong …….potentially!
- difficult to access the stern gland

That enough for now folks wanting more elaboration Ps run along and Google yourself .

 

[Nick1150]

Plenty .
In no particular order .
-Rearward weight distribution.
-Steeper shaft angles .
- End up with prop tunnels .
- more kit ( the v drive g box ) to go wrong …….potentially!
- difficult to access the stern gland

That enough for now folks wanting more elaboration Ps run along and Google yourself .

Agree.... but still, would you prefer V drive over IPS?

 

[Portofino]

Agree.... but still, would you prefer V drive over IPS?

Yes .

 

[Nick1150]

Yes .

Agree, me too, so westernman has a point! There is no perfect system after all...

 

[Bouba]

10000000% right, eventhough I am not an IPS guy

Most people here aren’t......although how some people like outdrives is a mystery....I watched a biggish boat manœuvre in port the other day...it had Skyhook (or whatever brand it was)...that boat just stayed in exactly the same position just feet away from the dock while the owner casually attended to the fenders, ropes and even folded the flag...all the while the boat didn’t move an inch nor change angles....that I would very much like

 

[Greg2]

Just a quick trip to any boat show tells the story......and it’s been that way for quite a few years now, so that means anything fifiyish and below will be IPS on the used market.

Hmmmm….I am not so sure. The complexity and maintenance issues make them a more risky buy on the used market and my take is that they will not sell so well. I wouldn’t consider them in any circumstances and I suspect I am not alone in that, albeit I do see that generational changes may affect that.

 

[Bouba]

Hmmmm….I am not so sure. The complexity and maintenance issues make them a more risky buy on the used market and my take is that they will not sell so well. I wouldn’t consider them in any circumstances and I suspect I am not alone in that, albeit I do see that generational changes may affect that.

But one day you will have to make a choice.....between a veteran boat on shafts with all the accompanying problems that age brings...or a newish boat with the complex IPS

 

[Chris H]

.....waking up this thread, thanks Portofino for your nice words and imagination!

Actually my original question was and still is the following: Given that IPS is VP and only VP oriented, and also given that we have all heard about IPS issues, from friends (I do), why do yacht builders still prefer IPS solution?

It is really astonishing to see that most or better many builders adopt IPS installations to the extend that in the 40 to 50 ft segment, it is very rare to find new (and used also) boats with good, old, traditional shaft systems.

For example I wouldn't ever imagine a Pershing with IPS... cmooon, Pershing is well known for its surface outdrives and shaft drives for decades...... where are we going? I am not mentioning Princesses, Fairlines and Sunseekers....

Hope all of these makes sense....

Pershing X5 has IPS

 

[Nick1150]

Pershing X5 has IPS

Yeap, that is why i noticed Pershing! Next thing we will see is Baias, Technemas and San Lorengos with IPS!!!!!

 

[Sianna]

Good job I can't afford an IPS boat, no decision for me to make