[Mov-it!]

Since I'm currently overloaded with information about engines and propulsion systems, I must admid that the IPS is actually a bargain.
The strongest advantage of the IPS is the all in one concept.
The installation saves tons of time because it's all plug and play.
No need to engineer and build and buy any steering gear. No need to design exhaust systems or sea waterintakes. You simply drill a hole in the hull and place the units and that's it. The fact that the engines are coupled to the drive units demands that the engine room should be far in the aft of the yacht. Since most customers demand a large transom for the tender and toys, this can be a major design disadvantage also because the weight balance shifts to the aft of the ship.

At this moment I'm doing some research for a 72ft. Open express cruiser.
My preferred engine option is the MTU 10V2000 M91 with the new MTU Maritune surface drives. This is a great set-up but the hardware will run you down for about $1.5mln. Using 4 IPS units will save you tons of money in terms of hardware and build time. I believe that it is a great system for series productions but for the custom market there are other factors and low speed manouverability and fuel consumption are not the biggest concern.

The emotional factor is of a bigger importance in the express cruiser market.
I have never heard of anyone choosing a porsche over a ferrari because it's simply more efficient and has a better gas milage.
The ability to make sharper turns is a week argument because tight turs can be very uncomfortable for the passengers.
Main ingrediants for an express cruiser are looks, sound and top performance.
Judging the LSX on these factors it's scores not more than average.

The looks is a matter of taste, The sound of 4 straight six volvo's doesn't get my bloodpressure any higher and the top speed is a little low compared to the competition. In short I think that the LSX has some excellent features that are not very imported in the market it operates in.

Because of the fact that the production time and costs to create a balsa core GRP hull are conciderably less than for example an Alustar hull and the use of a complete plug and play volvo set-up, the sales price of $3.4mln is far from a bargain.

The LSX seems to be a good yacht but it cannot hide a slight sent of a marketing trick.
Time will tell who's right

[Remi]

Hi AMG,

thank for your personal feedback: do you really mean that the LSX has nothing to do with "soap design" ?

(I am not talking about Lazzara quality...or Mangusta seaworthiness between Cannes and Saint tropez)

[AMG]

Originally Posted by Remi

Hi AMG,

thank for your personal feedback: do you really mean that the LSX has nothing to do with "soap design" ?

Hi Remi, I made no comment on the LSX design...

[YachtForum]

Originally Posted by Mov-it!

Since most customers demand a large transom for the tender and toys, this can be a major design disadvantage also because the weight balance shifts to the aft of the ship.

Extensions are available in various lengths to move the engines forward for CG purposes.

Originally Posted by Mov-it!

Main ingrediants for an express cruiser are looks, sound and top performance. Judging the LSX on these factors it's scores not more than average.

Your statement is based on your own criteria. While aesthetic appeal is certainly a consideration, I don't believe express buyers are looking to make decibel statements. As for performance, if you are only concerned with top speed, then yes... others may be faster. But, do they possess balanced performance, i.e., acceleration, handling, ease of operation, fuel efficiency, etc.

Originally Posted by Mov-it!

The sound of 4 straight six volvo's doesn't get my bloodpressure any higher and the top speed is a little low compared to the competition. In short I think that the LSX has some excellent features that are not very imported in the market it operates in.

It doesn't sound like the LSX is for you. Maybe you would be better off with an offshore performance boat with an open exhaust system? That should be enough to raise your testosterone level to a point where women cringe. Maybe I'm getting old, but I enjoy being able to have a conversation on the aft deck without screaming.

Originally Posted by Mov-it!

the sales price of $3.4mln is far from a bargain.

To be honest, I don't think a Ferrari is worth 100k, 250k and now... well over 1 million. I've said this before and I'll say it again... I would buy an Acura NSX over a Ferrari any day! And I would buy the NSX even if it costed more than a Ferrari and had LESS horsepower. It is this reasoning that would lead me to buy an LSX.

Originally Posted by Mov-it!

The LSX seems to be a good yacht but it cannot hide a slight sent of a marketing trick. Time will tell who's right

I believe time has spoken. Last I heard... there were 11 contracts for the LSX.

[KCook]

... others may be faster. But, do they possess balanced performance, i.e., acceleration, handling, ease of operation, fuel efficiency, etc.

I am speculating that this may be the key factor. IPS would be easier for an owner/operator to live with. Surface drive with high output motors better for a fast yacht with professional captain?

Kelly Cook

[YachtForum]

Exactly Kelly. Surface drives are great for speed (and simplicity), but they fail miserably in the handling department. The turning radius of most surface drives parallels a freighter. And docking... well, it's just plain entertaining for those watching.

[Mov-it!]

Originally Posted by CCamper

I believe time has spoken. Last I heard... there were 11 contracts for the LSX.

That is a fact I've read lately. I can understand why people fall for this concept. If you like the design, I believe the LSX is indeed a good option.

The matter of sound is based on the engine sound and not the exhaust.
I personally find the sound of the volvos a little too linear and clinnical.
Noise is something to be avoided on any yacht.

My personal prefference goes to a decent pilothouse anytime (at least if sailing yachts wouldn't exist), but the open express cruisers are a market of their own. I do however think that they should be open again instead of using sunroofs.

I do agree with you on the subject of the NSX.
That is about the only car a man needs. Pitty I can't fit my family in it

[elsupremo]

I can sense I'm in the minority here, but I certainly don't think the Ferrari and Acura analogy is a valid comparison here. Especially when favoring Acura, a vastly less expensive vehicle, in order to prove that "you get what you pay for". While this isn't a car discussion, I would like to say briefly that just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's a trendy, popular-statement item. In some cases, such as the LSX AND the modern Ferrari, in my opinion, the item is expensive because it is groundbreaking, well-engineered, put together by craftsmen who truly care, and offers an undefinable, very special element that connects with the items buyer - and makes up for possible shortcomings (top speed, acceleration) to cheaper, competitor items. Possibly it's the emotion and feeling of experiencing a quality item created with utter passion and love.

I hope no one minds my timid dissent, and that it isn't dissected and rebutted as if yachts and cars were a vacuum devoid of emotion, feeling and opinion. I would naturally add that not every buyer of a Ferrari (or a Lazzarra, or Acura, for that matter) buys the item for the reasons I outlined above.

That all said, when I first saw the YF review of the LSX, I had heard nothing about this yacht beforehand and after reading it, I printed it out and shared it with my family and close friends. Needless to say, the yacht excites me to no end because it signifies, in my opinion, a definite leap forward in yacht technology. To achieve such healthy performance numbers with such fantastic maneuverability, [relatively] excellent fuel mileage, extraordinarily low decibel levels, increased usable cabin space (which is often heavily depleted on open yachts with tender garages), and even an increased degree of safety with the extra engines - this has to be a milestone in yacht creation, whether you like the looks of the LSX or not. Some of the things I just mentioned, such as increased cabin space, or low volume/vibration levels, seem important enough to me that if they were the sole benefits of the LSX's new technology, the LSX would still be a groundbreaking yacht.

Needless to say, I'm breathless about this yacht and the possibilities it opens up. Little sounds more appealing to me than a large open yacht with great performance, quiet and smooth operation, fantastic maneuvering, increased range, increased safety, increased cabin space (compared to other open yachts with tender garages and standard propulsion systems), and, of course, Lazzarra's legendary build quality. If I had the money, I too would be on the list of buyers. However, my family agreed - if we ever do end up in a position to spend that amount on a yacht, we may just find our way onto a Lazzarra LSX. In the meantime, I'll hope that some of this technology will make its way into yachts a bit smaller and significantly less expensive.

[AMG]

Originally Posted by elsupremo

I'll hope that some of this technology will make its way into yachts a bit smaller and significantly less expensive.

Since 2005 the IPS system has been delivered to more than 40 boat manufacturers if I recall right. Mainly as twin installations where otherwise shafts should have been used. Boats are in sizes from 35 to 45 feet.

However, in a size under 45 feet I think the Duoprop is usually a better option if it can be installed. This is probably why Volvo Penta is now offering systems of 2-3-4 or more IPS drives for larger boats. Now you have got the new IPS/600 and I expect even more powerful engines in the future.

[lwrandall]

IPS is now starting to show up on yachts in the 50' to 60' Range. Check out the upcoming Tiara Sovran 5800. http://www.tiarayachts.com/Brix?pageID=299
The 5800 uses 3 IPS drives. This really excites me because more people can get a Volvo IPS boat larger than 40' but don't have the desire or resources for a 75' yacht. Hopefully Carl can get more info on this exciting boat.

One question on the LSX. Won't the helmsman have to deal with a lot of wind screen glare with the lower level being open?

[elsupremo]

Originally Posted by AMG

Since 2005 the IPS system has been delivered to more than 40 boat manufacturers if I recall right. Mainly as twin installations where otherwise shafts should have been used. Boats are in sizes from 35 to 45 feet.

However, in a size under 45 feet I think the Duoprop is usually a better option if it can be installed. This is probably why Volvo Penta is now offering systems of 2-3-4 or more IPS drives for larger boats. Now you have got the new IPS/600 and I expect even more powerful engines in the future.

Yes, it was late and I should have been more clear, but I am aware that some smaller boats have IPS now. The range I'm hoping to see it in, however, is 50-60 feet, and preferably in a sport yacht instead of an open yacht. Something like an Azimut 55/62.

[TK-F430]

Originally Posted by CCamper

To be honest, I don't think a Ferrari is worth 100k, 250k and now... well over 1 million. I've said this before and I'll say it again... I would buy an Acura NSX over a Ferrari any day! And I would buy the NSX even if it costed more than a Ferrari and had LESS horsepower. It is this reasoning that would lead me to buy an LSX.

Although it is irrelevant to the subject discussed here, but I will just briefly state my point regarding your comment as I am sure in the case of Ferrari ownership it must be similar to the ownership of certain boat makes.
Owning a Ferrari is about passion. It's about the passion most F-car drivers and owners have for the prancing horse rather than for luxury and exclusivity. Expensive does not mean luxury. They are built for a specific purpose. It is one of the closest things you can get to a race car and drive on the street. There are a lot of trade-offs with a Ferrari in terms of comfort, where and when you can drive it, etc. Wanting a Ferrari is wanting to enjoy the pleasure of the driving experience and challenge which F-cars provide.
That said, I am sure it also applies to many boats and yachts which also have specific characters.

[YachtForum]

Originally Posted by lwrandall

One question on the LSX. Won't the helmsman have to deal with a lot of wind screen glare with the lower level being open?

That's a good question Lionel and very real possibility.

[MaxResolution]

When I got to Italy I didn't know a word of their language, but it didn't stop me from driving directly to Modena to see the famous ''F" cars being built in the flesh. We were not greeted in the most cordial of tones. Up the road, there was a small shade-tree mechanic's shop. And by then I was just hoping to get the oil changed when an American ex-pat greeted us at the door. His in-laws worked at the factory, and within a few minutes he had arranged a tour for us the following morning...

To say that these beasts are built out of passion and love is quite an understatement, in fact it's a wonder they ever released their best ones at all. Their shop was like a WWII hangar, and every inch of the grounds littered as a filthy pig-stye. Hundreds of cars of all ages sat parked like trailers after a tropical storm. Tenting in cardboard, plastic, even stacks of old tyres often held some of these beauties aloft as the crewmembers scavenged about the block, looking for a mysterious part for a god knows what. It was a lifetime experience, but needless to say, my enthausiasm for all things Italian diminished with each near-miss we encountered as these pesky things overtook us on the mountain roads.

Candidly, the pinnacle of Italian design parallels the rudiments of their emotional development. Sure, if I were 19, blessed with two estranged multi-millionaire parents, eager to placate my inner-whining child, I would have already charged an LSX to daddy's charge card.

Now, you ask is it worth the money? -Absolutely,

[YachtForum]

My dissent into the Japerrari monologue wasn’t intended to spook the stable. I should have saddled up another analogy. Everyone has different values and the criterion that forms our decisions is often based on experience. Personally I look for balance, such as appeal, function, ergonomics, efficiency, serviceability, reliability and price. There are many more considerations, but as a basis… these are root, primary objectives. This is why the LSX (or was that NSX?) stands out to me… it strikes a balance. And for balance, I’m willing to pay more.

That same standard crosses over to other aspects of my life. Maybe I can draw another correlation that doesn’t step on hoofs. In looking for a woman to share life’s memories, I seek someone who is physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially… balanced. I have no interest in the artificial, superficial, plastic fantastic, high performance monsters that are a waste of this planet’s oxygen.

By the same token, I gravitate toward women who have made a contribution, made a difference and made our lives better. That same protocol holds true with the products I purchase. I support innovation, because I know the proceeds reward the deserving and lead to further development. Anyone who has invented a product and brought it to market can relate to this.

Coming full circle... from what I've seen, the LSX is priced about right for it's segment. If it costs a little more, it's money well spent in my book. That said... I don't think any car is worth 100k or more. I don't think any watch is worth 10k or more. And I don't think any girl is worth giving up half of what I own!