Quote:
| Originally Posted by NYCAP123 AMG,
The IPS outperforms outdrives, surface piercing and jets as well. Granted sails and oars have better fuel economy, but they lack a little in the speed department.  (Just being a wiseguy)
Seriously though, this technology moved up from tugs to ships and now is moving down to the yachts. The only down side I see is in areas where soft bottom strikes are common (shallow bays) because it's certainly more expensive to replace a lower unit than to recondition a prop. Other than that I see this as the technology of the future. |
Anywhere there is likely to be some flotsam (here in the Hudson, it tends to be whole trees, telephone poles, and the like) are also areas of concern. Not so much when you're pushing a loaded barge or you've got 500' of ship ahead of the drives, but with only 25-30' of boat? Asking for trouble. I guess having any sort of skeg forward of each drive, or a deep keel, would ruin the efficiency and maneuverability advantages, though?