Zeus is making progress too...

[rickp]

Info here - seems they've got Volvo on the warranty front:

[ QUOTE ]
The system is backed by a 2-year warranty, a 6-year warranty on all major components (like the bronze gear case), and 3-year corrosion warranty.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Skyhook feature looks interesting, though I do wonder if some muppet will go swimming despite the warnings about the props still turning...

Wonder how long before we see the first Zeus boats, and how long before we see them in Europe....

Rick

 

[Nautical]

Rock and roll! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif more importantly I wonder how long it will be before mainstream boaters in the UK will begin to see the advantages and stop knocking the bejesus out of each system, 08 season will be VP's fouth with IPS and sales are still climbing month on month, surely we have to accept now that its here to stay?.

 

[rickp]

Are we going to see a Zeus powered absolute?

Rick

 

[Nautical]

Never say never, however we do have a very strong relationship with VP's R&D dept so would need a very good reason to switch at this stage but as you know business is business and if they come up with a better system or a system that offers the customer better features we would certainly consider it.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I prefer the Zeus concept over IPS. I still can't get my head around the fact that the IPS props look so vulnerable facing forwards. The Skyhook feature of Zeus is a great idea for anyone, like me, who gets pissed off gilling about waiting for the fuel quay to clear. Interesting to see whether it's accurate enough to hold station in a narrow fairway. The integrated autopilot is also a great idea but only if it is completely compatible with other nav instruments
To an extent IMHO the IPS v Zeus battle will depend on which engines can be mated to Zeus. I guess IPS will only ever be offered with Volvo engines but if Zeus is only ever going to be offered with Cummins engines, then IPS will win easily in Europe at least. Zeus + Cat engines might change that

 

[NEB]

[ QUOTE ]
The Volvo-Penta IPS pod drive technology has been on the market for nearly three years. We asked Mercury leaders why its pod system was not introduced sooner: “We’re happy about the lag time,” said Scott Patrohay, President and CEO of Cummins MerCruiser Diesel. “This gave us an opportunity to find out what the owners of the Volvo-Penta IPS liked and disliked about their system.”

[/ QUOTE ]

3 years also gave them an opportunity to design it from scratch!! They may say the leg has been in development for a long time but it was in developement for a different application than Zeus.
At least this is what I heard from very reliable source that I'm afraid cannot be mentioned.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Still waiting on Yellowfin's offerings, especially as they do seem to regard retrofit as a viable choice.

 

[Sundays_Child]

Andrew,

If you're waiting for Yellowfin, you might be missing half a decade of boating... if it proves viable. I'm a HUGE fan of the concept, but am not holding my breath.

Deleted User,

Some dealers here laugh at VP. For the local favourites, my personal take (and I could be totally wrong) is that Yanmar aren't as reliable as they like to make out, and Cummins are especially torquey for their HP ratings.

Wish Detroit made some small high-efficiency two-stroke diesels! Unburstable compact power... there's a market if ever I saw one!

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Not waiting boatless, but interested in the possibilities. Retrofitting IPS/Zeus is never going to be viable, nor is buying a new boat already so equipped, barring unlikely Lottery style good fortune.