[hbyachtboy]

Hello,
I am currently in the process of looking to buy a smaller boat in the 30 foot range. I do most of my boating in Long Island, New York. I have not owned a boat before but I am very excited to start. Right now I have some options which I am deciding between. We like the IPS system the most so we would want that on ours. We are right now deciding between a Formula 37 PC with IPS and a Tiara 3500 Sovran also with IPS. Does anyone have a preference?

Thanks,
Heston

[Ken Bracewell]

The quality of the Tiara is excellent. Don't know much about the Formula though.

[hbyachtboy]

Yeah I think they make great boats too. I just cant really decide yet because there is a price leap in the tiara vs. the formula. Thanks for the quick response

[NYCAP123]

You're not talking IPS until you get over about 36'. Below that you're probably dealing with Mercruiser Axius system.
The pods, especially the IPS, is the future of boating. Putting aside the maneuvering & speed advantages, the fuel savings have to be a huge consideration.
Comparing Formula to Tiara is comparing apples to oranges. Tiara is much better quality, Formula is glitzier and with a much lower price. Both are fine boats though. What you have to consider is how you will use it, how much, and for how long. Will you spend your time cruising Peconic, maybe shooting over to Conn. or will you be running to Newport and the Vinyard? Are you looking for something you'll be selling in a year or two or that you'll be keeping longer? Will you be bringing it south for the winter? etc.

I'm an independent captain and spent the last couple of days transporting and teaching on 31 & 35 formulas, while that Tiara with the IPS was being demo'd. Very familiar with these boats & more, as well as the dealers in this area and the waters. PM me with more info on how you see yourself using the new boat and I'll help you to narrow the decission.
P.S. There's a better than even chance that I'll be the guy who ends up teaching you how to run your new boat.

[KCook]

Or you could save a pile of money with a Four Winns or Monterey ....

cheap seats Kelly

[AMG]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

The pods, especially the IPS, is the future of boating. Putting aside the maneuvering & speed advantages, the fuel savings have to be a huge consideration.

This is only when you compare to traditional shafts and rudders.

[NYCAP123]

HBYACHTBOY
You can already see emerging the big problem people have when boat shopping. Too many choices. The good news is that today there really are no garbage lines. Virtually all manufacturers comply with industry standards and seek to build a quality product.
What you've got to decide is: 1) What is my budget; 2) How do I see myself using the boat (see my previous post); 3) Is where the dealership gets me a slip (and make sure that is part of the deal unless you have a private dock) convenient for me, because a boat that's not convenient is one that doesn't get used; 4) Does the dealership have a good service department; 5) Do the people at the dealership (salesman, manager/owner, service manager, service writers) make me feel comfortable. Remember, you are seeing them at their best right now while the money is still in your pocket.
Price is a secondary consideration because what you save today you'll lose at resale time, so it all balances out.

[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.

[AMG]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

AMG,
The IPS outperforms outdrives, surface piercing and jets as well.

Not even Volvo Penta makes this claim. Our 40-footer is doing 47 knots with 2xD6/370/DPH which is not possible with 2xIPS/500. They are good, but not for high speed boats.

[Seafarer]

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?

[NYCAP123]

AMG,
You are absolutely right about the go-fasts. I doubt you'll ever see these on cigs or Hustlers, etc. I don't spend too much time thinking about them though. I'm not familiar with your boat, but 47 kts with that hull shape surprises me. Are you running Arensons or jets, because over this way that would be a lot of boat to be pushed by I/O's? It looks like a boat that would definitely benifit from IPS. P.S., I realize that I'm sounding a bit like a salesman for IPS. NO way! Just like the results I've seen.
Seafarer,
You've got the same concerns I had when I first saw this. As it was explained to me a catastrophic hit would be close in price, but maintain hull integrity so you'd avoid the result of droping your shafts. Again, not a salesman for IPS, but I like the questions being brought up. Anybody out there with reallife experience with the pods yet?
I'm curious.

[AMG]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

AMG,
You are absolutely right about the go-fasts. I doubt you'll ever see these on cigs or Hustlers, etc. I don't spend too much time thinking about them though. I'm not familiar with your boat, but 47 kts with that hull shape surprises me. Are you running Arensons or jets, because over this way that would be a lot of boat to be pushed by I/O's? It looks like a boat that would definitely benifit from IPS.

As I mentioned above, we have the same engines as IPS/500 but with Aquamatic. When i compare our performance figures with the Tiara 3900 Sovran, they are cruising 28,5 knots at 3100 rpm, we are cruising 40 knots at the same rpm. I guess our mileage are miles better.... so, as Volvo Penta says, IPS should be compared to traditional shafts and rudders.

[NYCAP123]

Living & learning AMG. Tell me more. Don't run into too many diesel I/O's over my way. How does the package hold up, what kind of gph, does that aquamatic have duo-prop, how is she for slow speed maneuvering? Around here we usually go for shafts over about 32-36 feet except on the go-fasts and they usually stick with gas. Personally 50 kts on the water scares hell out of me. Seen too much stuff floating.

[catmando]

Originally Posted by AMG

Not even Volvo Penta makes this claim. Our 40-footer is doing 47 knots with 2xD6/370/DPH which is not possible with 2xIPS/500. They are good, but not for high speed boats.

Lol yeah I was gonna say that's a HUGE statement! Your 40' cruiser runs 52mph with just 740hp??? I want one like it with the 485 Yanmars. 60 knots for sure!!

[FISHTIGUA]

As a Volvo Penta service center we look after a number of IPS boats and we have had no problems with them yet, but that is on craft that would normally run props on shafts. I have not seen any on sport cruisers yet. Remember the cost of servicing an outdrive (DPH) is on a par with an engine so think of it as running 4 engines (Gulp)

I guess Volvo are looking at the Sport market as you can now get IPS on V8 Gas engines

Dave