[NoRudder]

Originally Posted by Castlerock

I am waiting for a smaller electric drive pod system to come out. The advantages to using an electric drive are many.

Supply and demand. We may see people wanting to slow down to 7 or 8 knots, but I have not heard much about this. I read about a new hybrid to be launched in Ft Lauderdale at the show.
I really do feel we will see a growth in sailboats however. It just makes sense, but that is for another forum.

[NoRudder]

Originally Posted by Skiffy

Trying to decide now is like trying to choose Betamax or VHS, they are complex systems that will have teething troubles. Sky hook on zeus drive seems like a nice and very useful feature.

I'll wait 12 months or more before decide, how about an independant system that can be coupled with a choice of motors? that would be nice.

Skiffy,
Your wish seems to be coming true. Now it seems ZF will offer its own version of ZEUS (they did build the gear after all) to any engine builder. It was on display by Gregory Poole at the Pirate's Cove Tournament in NC, with a phony jackshaft to a Cat engine.

Now for the tricky part. Steering, my friend was told ZF's version would be all electric. CMD is electric to hydraulic with a secondary hydraulic backup of some kind.
The trim tab will be in a "fixed" position. This certainly simplifies things for the wizard that will build the electronic interface between the systems. The trim tabs are more effective farther out on the hull anyway.

So what technician can work on this?

One supplier is a good idea.

[NYCAP123]

I believe Volvo locked up the I/O and the duo-prop with patents for a long time. This time I see a race shaping up and the consumer will certainly benefit from the competition. We're living in an exciting time for marine technology.

[NoRudder]

I would never argue that NYCAP123!

[denizci]

I have couple of questions:

- Does anybody knows why, besides Lazzara, nobody attempts to install quad IPS configuration? It has been like 2 years since the 75 Quad with 600s and now 92 quad with VP IPS 850s. Does Lazzara have exclusive rights for quad IPS configurations? If not, why not anybody else?

- Any intel about hybrid (diesel/electric) IPS possibility? When I say electric, I mean serious, like 200 hp electric motor coupled with IPS 600s... not 7 hp for 5 knots in the marina (it sounds like a joke, but hopefully a good start).

Thanks..

[NoRudder]

Lazzara does not have exclusive rights to the quad version of IPS from what I hear. It takes a larger, wide beam boat than most production boat companies (the Tiara 58' triple as an example) here typically offer. Certainly there are boats built in Europe that would support it however.
As we have seen in this thread, the US branch of Volvo Penta seems perhaps more aggressive in this area, with engineering resources like the integration center and the relationship with Donald Blount (well known Naval Architect firm). But the bigger the boats get, the fewer there are being built.
What about those sport fishing boats however? Seems like it could produce a good demand and decent volumes.

No idea of any hybrid efforts at all. IPS saves a bunch of fuel as it is over conventional shafts. The Dick Lazzara piece on the DVD claims up to 50%. Take away some possible exaggeration and it is still substantial.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by denizci

I have couple of questions:

- Does anybody knows why, besides Lazzara, nobody attempts to install quad IPS configuration? It has been like 2 years since the 75 Quad with 600s and now 92 quad with VP IPS 850s. Does Lazzara have exclusive rights for quad IPS configurations? If not, why not anybody else?

- Any intel about hybrid (diesel/electric) IPS possibility? When I say electric, I mean serious, like 200 hp electric motor coupled with IPS 600s... not 7 hp for 5 knots in the marina (it sounds like a joke, but hopefully a good start).

Thanks..

Hi,

You are going to need some substantial power and mass to produce the electricity for your 200 hp motor- more weight than an engine on it's own so there would not be any real advantage there

[NoRudder]

I found one:
G151523 200hp 1785RPM 445T Frame
460volts 229.0 1875 lb. $5109.63

More than twice the weight of the D6 itself. Not sure what you would do with this?

[brian eiland]

Originally Posted by denizci

.... Any intel about hybrid (diesel/electric) IPS possibility? When I say electric, I mean serious, like 200 hp electric motor coupled with IPS 600s... not 7 hp for 5 knots in the marina (it sounds like a joke, but hopefully a good start).

Thanks..

You might have a look at this posting I made under Electric Rim Drives:

To be installed on the new Panamax 'super-ketch'

"It’s not the only movable appendage below the waterline. Like an increasing number of new yachts, the Panamax ketch will take advantage of the advances in diesel electric power generation , in this case designed by MR Fertigung-Technologie GmbH, a German company based in Rostock. This allows the use of two retractable, electrically driven propellers developed by the award-winning Dutch company Van der Velden. By swinging or retracting the props into the hull the yacht's underbody will become perfectly flush when sailing, further enhancing -performance

Instead of using a conventional engine for propulsion, the Panamax will befitted with a number of generating sets (the likelihood is four) which, as Erik Wassen put it: “Will provide a power sharing opportunity with a priority system.”

In other words the generating sets will automatically deliver power to the numerous systems precisely when they want it and at sufficient levels, whether it be the hydraulic pumps for the big winch packages, domestic power to run the hotel systems or power for propulsion. Heavy battery banks are limited to emergency sets.

The generating system can devote all its energy to the retractable hubless props—the blades of the propellers are set on the inner surface of the circular units, which house the electric motors themselves instead of on a central hub."

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/57800-post38.html

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by rip728

I found one:
G151523 200hp 1785RPM 445T Frame
460volts 229.0 1875 lb. $5109.63

More than twice the weight of the D6 itself. Not sure what you would do with this?

Hi,

A quick calculation of what you need to drive a 200hp electric motor.

200 Hp = approx 149 kW, The motor will no doubt have a Power Factor somewhere in the .8x% so I have used .85 as a median value.

This means you will need some 175 ekW to drive your motor at full power, your alternator ( the source of the AC Power) also has a limiting PF Value around the same as the motor so you are now looking at around 200kW Engine Power to get your 200 Hp motor power.

There are of course ways of improving the PF by using drive units etc but these all add weight and take up space plus of course there is that old nugget of........ the costs. And it is this last one that normally causes the greatest ructions.

[Alpina]

I just don't se any of the above mentioned happen...

[Blair]

I see that Salthouse Marine in Auckland, New Zealand are completing a quad IPS powered 65' sportsfisher.

[Skiffy]

Complexity and cost, two engines are needed for manouvering but you don't need four so the only reason to have four is bacause IPS don't have big enough units (at the moment)

As an owner I would be hesitant of the extra complexity, and what may become quite a cramped engine room, but I suppose it has the benefit that if one engine goes down you have 75% of power left and not 50% so you can get to the dock quicker?

It's going to take a few years to settle out where and how these systems fit into builders ranges, builders are a cautious lot and they are gathering feedback and results from the units they have fitted.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by Skiffy

As an owner I would be hesitant of the extra complexity, and what may become quite a cramped engine room, but I suppose it has the benefit that if one engine goes down you have 75% of power left and not 50% so you can get to the dock quicker?

Hi,

Don't bank on being able to plane with just 3 of engines/drives working.

I spent a bit of time running a 3 engine Sunseeker Superhawk 52, twice we were down to two engines (66% power remaining ) and both times we were unable to get her on the plane and had to limp along at about 10 kts.

With multi engine apps however you get a wide range of suitable speeds and loading condition for the engines running.

Maybe the 4 engine boat wants to speed to the fishing grounds and then take it easy on two while they drag the gear?

Salthouse have a very good reputation and I have done a few miles on a Ketch they built in the 80's, I for one am looking forward to their 4 drive motorboat project.

[Alpina]

It's called redundancy.