The popularity of IPS today

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paul salliss

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For boats over 36 feet in length it seems that there are more an more new boats that are fitted with IPS, many with no bow thruster.

Is this likely to be the future direction or am I wrong,
 
The inter web says IPS has been in production since 2005. So its hardly a new thing.
I think most people on this forum would favour a conventional shaft drive rather than IPS for a 36ft + boat.
 
I enjoy the simplicity of shafts . In the Med it’s all about outside space this dilutes the msg of usable space gain below .
Imho there is not a problem re close 1/4 control with shafts + thruster(s) to solve .
In the Med you can VHF a guy with a rib if it’s windy anyhow ....help with the lines as well .
But there’s plenty of hired help available for lessons for a few days or so for those a bit shy, that feel IPS is the only way to control a boat .
Id be worried evey day in the Med esp on a adventure to new places ......are going to see some alarms today ?
Realise some gravitate towards electrotwackery especially if it’s under warranty. :)

Fuel burn is only a fraction of the ownership costs but zero mechanical anxiety trumps that , if you are time poor more so .
Seen too many IPS boats 40-50 ft stuck in port , or alarming off when trying to cruise in company .Nah !

Even as a new ( Warranty) prospect ....it’s the down time first then the residuals second by the time you have enough.
 
I think that the forum should make peace with the pod people. As IPS boats start to dominate the used market and shafts go the way of the dinosaurs, a shaft driven boat will just be something everyone’s grandfather used to have. 2005 is the future, embrace it.
 
Bouba said:
I think that the forum should make peace with the pod people. As IPS boats start to dominate the used market and shafts go the way of the dinosaurs, a shaft driven boat will just be something everyone’s grandfather used to have. 2005 is the future, embrace it.
Click to expand...

Put that in your pipe and smoke it lads :ROFLMAO:
 
The IPS Systems are often to small for the size of the boats too keep the price low on the new market. IPS is a system which works. But it must fit to the hull and the boat.
Going straight forward you can tow a container ship afterwards. I see the problems maneuvering in the harbors, when the two drives are blowing against each other...
And than the dynamic positioning system...
 
paul salliss said:
Is this likely to be the future direction or am I wrong,
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After a quick Google your certainly not wrong. Anything to make boat production easier is always favoured. (Ie Sail drives on sail boats)
More interior space, ability to move the boat in any direction , no rudders and associated gear.
The only disadvantage is cost and scary repair bills.
I don't think its going to replace shafts though, just like more efficient auto cars won't replace manuals.
Many will prefer to stay with shaft as it's understandable and diy repairable, an ips is not.
There is certainly many advantages over shaft .
I wonder if any outboard manufacturer might adopt a pull over a push propellor?
 
I have shafts and I like them, I had no idea that this would open up a can of worms as have not posted on here for a long time, I was asking a genuine question which was do we think that IPS sales are really on the rise or not I know it's been around since 05, but in my opinion it's only been popular since around 08. I can see the pro's and cons as with everything in boating it's about compromises
 
Thought of maintaining a 10 yr old boat with a pair of ips drives is terrifying..

Also.. the pitching and wobbling of an ips powered boat coming into berth is hilarious to watch, what it must feel like on board god knows!
Personally I think they are the work of the devil.
 
Well J, not exactly first hand, because I never had an IPS boat and never will, but last week we went together with some friends of ours to launch their 2011 IPS powered boat, which btw you saw in the pics I posted in WA.
Last year, emulsified oil in both pods wrecked 3/4 of the 2019 season to this couple, and when the boat was recently launched again, I was very glad I wasn't the one that had to pay the bill.
Mind, I'm fully aware that there's no such thing as a boat that isn't a money pit, but pods add insult to injury, so to speak...
 
Bouba said:
I think that the forum should make peace with the pod people.
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I never declared war with anyone among pod people! Quite the opposite, in fact: I very much sympathize with them all.
It's whoever at VP decided to build IPS, that ought to be set on fire! :p:cool:

PS: that said, of course the answer to the OP question is no, you are not wrong.
 
MapisM said:
I never declared war with anyone among pod people! Quite the opposite, in fact: I very much sympathize with them all.
It's whoever at VP decided to build IPS, that ought to be set on fire! :p:cool:

PS: that said, of course the answer to the OP question is no, you are not wrong.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your objective reply ?
 
I have a 48 ft boat on shafts plus Bow and Stern thruster and its very easy to manoeuvre.

I work in a yard in Guernsey and we have a number of IPS boats and one rarely sees problems with IPS.

However there are a large number of the manufacturers of production line leisure boats are switching to IPS, for the mid range 50ft plus, Sunseeker, Fairline, Princess . Plus a multitude of european builders and US Builders,

The IPS units are linked to the D6 up to 480hp, D8 625 hp, D11 725, D13 1000hp and they are used in twin and quad sets.

The advantage is installation time, moving the engines aft to free up central space and above all manoeuvrability.

They are being used more and more for work boats , wind farms, pilot boats, etc see the video below
 
jrudge said:
this debate comes up time and time again

my point of reference. How many issues FIRST HAND do we get on here. Answer. Not many.
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Do you need 1st hand ?
4 examples when I was in La Nap .
All friends to the extent of socialising , mob numbers , cruising in Co , anchoring up near , booking restaurant tables , etc etc .
Age span from brand new Azimut , new S/Sker , 5 y Sessa , 10 y S/ Skr .
Two of the above meet up in the U.K. for restaurants as well .
How well we know them let others judge ?
Felt the odd one out @ dinner as no issues to discuss. :) .

Hope that adds some qualifications to my knowledge of IPS for potential newbies making decisions .
 
I just looked up the price for an exchange IPS leg. £10,000 to £14,000 each plus props and fitting if you hit something. Ouch !

If I was running a working boat out everyday then the fuel savings etc I am guessing would make it worth it.
As a leisure boater doing 50 - 100 hours a year, IPS will never give a meaningful fuel saving when you add in the extra service cost and the potential expense if you have an accident.
If I was going to do a lot more fast hours I would get an outdrive boat instead.
Also how long will it be before insurers start raising prices for second hand IPS boats?
It will be interesting to see what the effect is on the second hand market and prices. I suspect not much as any people who have got into boating in the last few years, who have started out with a smaller boat with outdrives, upgrade to IPS might not even think about it and just live with the possible consequences.
 
I’m going to strip 2 tomorrow which are both full of water , the seals are leaking and the shafts probably worn , I’ll give some feedback soon.
 
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