Zeus Drive first impressions

[spannerman]

We are running one of our boat shows this weekend and have the new Askaladden Commuter 11m at the show. Its the prototype with the Mercruiser Zeus version of VP's IPS.
I took it out for a trial and was very impressed, first its exetremely quiet and smooth, the auto tabs above the props ensure you are quickly on the plane then they retract as the speed builds, you can have manual control over them for trimming or let it work on auto.
This is a 10 ton boat and it accelerated briskly up to 38 kts, it needs some fine tuning with the props as its a bit low on wot so should hit the magic 40 kts.
Now the best bit, the joystick, you can move the boat absolutely any direction you wish, or just spin on its axis, when you go sideways you can fine tune by rotating the joystick to correct for wind or current so the boat can be moved diagonally forwards or backwards or just totally sideways into a berth, this may not sound so clever until you realise that there is no bow prop, and the props are right at the back of the boat! It only took a couple of minutes to feel totally at home with the system, it really is childs play to operate.
The clever bit is in the electronics which is programmed around the boats natural centre point so that the legs and props give the correct angle and gearing to push/pull the boat exactly where you want to go.
The party trick is to pull up 1m parallel to the quay and hit the 'Skyhook' button, it will then hold the boat exactly there while you moor up, it can handle up to 8 kts current and considerably more wind.
Its coupled to the GPS and compass so it knows where the bows are pointing and where the boat is positioned and then adjusts the revs,gears, and leg angle automatically, it also has trolling mode so you can creep into tight berths, with the throttle levers now controlling the amount of clutch slip.
I think its got Volvo beaten hands down as this is standard in the installation,
also all maintainance can be done from inside the boat.
So well done Mercruiser, I hope we see it on more boats as there is no going back after you have tried it.
I now look forward to trying the Axius system for sterndrives.

 

[Whitelighter]

[ QUOTE ]
I think its got Volvo beaten hands down as this is standard in the installation,
also all maintainance can be done from inside the boat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Would you care to elaborate on why? Apart from the skyhook (which does sound very very useful) you could have just descirbed IPS word for word.

They seem to do exactly the same job - a bit like Betamax and VHS perhaps?

 

[DavidJ]

[ QUOTE ]
Apart from the skyhook (which does sound very very useful)

[/ QUOTE ]
I suspect a VP version of the skyhook won't be far away

 

[rickp]

Yeah, but knowing volvo it will be a few grand. How much does the joystick cost for IPS?

Rick

 

[Latestarter1]

Spannerman,

What was the engine and what revs did you make WOT. Do I take it that you think boat is a little over propped? Mercruiser have a habit of overpropping.

 

[[2068]]

My main gripe with IPS is why the joystick is such a hideously expensive option. IMHO, it should be standard! Other than that, and props facing the other way, the two systems look very similar.

dv.

 

[Bloater]

As the final user I bet we won't be able to choose whether we have Mercrusier or VP installed on any particular model of boat we choose - the choice of engine supplier would have already been made for us by the boat manufacturer.

We would simply be in a position of choosing whether to have conventional drives or the IPS/Zeus alternative.

Everything else being equal the two competing systems will be equally technicallly impressive - my point being the we don't in reallity get to choose between the two.

 

[spannerman]

The engines were 380hp motors and wot was just under 3000rpm, the guy from the factory reckoned they were a couple of 100 rpm shy of rated wot.
Evidently some think the IPS system is equal or better, i just feel that you get more for your money with the Zeus system, and people feel more secure with the props at the back.
You pay your money and take your pick.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Hello to all

last time speaking to a technical person from a shipyard about Zeus vs IPS
he was saying to me how Zeus is easier to fit without modifying the aft part of the hull and requires minor hull changes for having major efficency
in his opinion and studies he also said if you create a hull for IPS it is more efficent then Zeus about 10% and goes up on the plane at lower speeds
the best hull design for IPS would be a modified vee of less 15 degree aft
he also said that in Europe it will be very difficuly for Zeus to beat Volvo IPS supremacy, but in USA it is still an open game

 

[Whitelighter]

eh? With Zeus you have to have two thumping great big tunnels in the hull, if they arent there already that is pretty major work.

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

[ QUOTE ]
eh? With Zeus you have to have two thumping great big tunnels in the hull, if they arent there already that is pretty major work.

[/ QUOTE ]

yes ok
but modifying a vee shaped hull in its aft section the last 1/3 of the hull is a bigger work, going to a recalculation of how the boat acts etc
then I am saying what this engineer/designer told me

 

[Latestarter1]

Thanks for the update Spanerrman,

Looks like Mercruiser are up to their usual tricks. Zeus is a very good system, the Cummins QSB is a beautiful engine.

They screwed up owners of the nice little 120 diesel/Bravo by not being clear on propping. The Cummins Mercruiser JV tried to sort out the mess but too late the damage was done.

You have Cummins QSB 380, has a rated speed of 3000 rpm. If vessel 100 rpm shy of rated when new, with a clean bottom engine will be well over 200 rpm shy as soon as you get growth. If you use say 2.7 propeller exponent that is around 100% overload with the throttle nailed.

Poor old owner new boat expects the builder to have propping right co's they are the experts.

Nice two year Cummins Mercruiser warranty package one of best in industry. Engine goes bang just before two years is up. No problem engine under comprehensive two year warranty package that can be extended to five years.

Sorry Mr customer we have downloaded ECM and it shows that you have been operating your engine in excess of 100% load factor for xxx hours, awful shame but we have to walk away. Then the shxx starts. Owner paid for and just wants a boat to use.

Mooring fees are outrageous, but paying for an idle boat and a solicitor at the same time is heartbreaking.

 

[Divemaster1]

To be fair, this is probably hull # 1 of the 11 Commuter ... and I am sure that Askeladden will rectify this, both on this one and on the following ones...

 

[Latestarter1]

Alf,

The system works like this;

Distributor application engineer come down a does first sea trial and if all is ok including WOT he signs off the installation. If vessel fails to make WOT he should not sign off, even if the builder promises to rectify the over propping.

If this is a show boat that process should have been completed before now.

Currently big aggo in the US and the Yanmar 6LY, engines blowing due to installations being 'passed on the nod'