Anyone with Zeus Pods?

I don't believe there are any oems that use Zeus pods. Indeed I am almost positive searay and perhaps sabre we're the last to use them ending multiple years ago. It's all Volvo ips at this point.

Someone mentioned that they were still being manufacturing them. Why, just for replacements?
 
I don't believe there are any oems that use Zeus pods. Indeed I am almost positive searay and perhaps sabre we're the last to use them ending multiple years ago. It's all Volvo ips at this point.
Sabre still has zeus on the 48 salon express, and Cummins with shafts on the 48 fly bridge. Everything else is Volvo IPS in varying horsepower.
 
Sabre still has zeus on the 48 salon express, and Cummins with shafts on the 48 fly bridge. Everything else is Volvo IPS in varying horsepower.

We just had a 48 Salon Express built for a client. They cautioned against using Zeus and said that they haven't built one with Zeus drives since about 2018 due to the all too common issues (of which I was involved with on two other vessels). They are all basically leaving with IPS now. The 48 Flybridge never had shafts due to the engine configuration, these hulls were built solely for pod drives. If they would build a 48 Salon Express with shafts like the old 52, I have two people that would pay whatever it took to build one.
 
We just had a 48 Salon Express built for a client. They cautioned against using Zeus and said that they haven't built one with Zeus drives since about 2018 due to the all too common issues (of which I was involved with on two other vessels). They are all basically leaving with IPS now. The 48 Flybridge never had shafts due to the engine configuration, these hulls were built solely for pod drives. If they would build a 48 Salon Express with shafts like the old 52, I have two people that would pay whatever it took to build one.

I double checked the Sabre website before I posted because stuff has been in flux. The two 48s were the only ones listed with non Volvo power options on the spec sheets. The 48 Salon Express is listed specifically with Zeus and the Flybridge is listed as Cummins power with no mention of pods. They may be trying to downplay the Zeus on the Flybridge.

We have two marina friends who recently (this spring and last fall) got 48s with Zeus that were sold as 19/20 model year boats. Who do you mean by “they”? Every conversation I’ve had with my Sabre CS guy about the Zeus vs Volvo choice his position has been that they haven’t had the same issues that others like Sea Ray have faced.


Without a doubt Sabre is turning into an all Volvo line. Which is kind of good for me as I have my own Volvo engineer because Sabre asked him to help me out
 
I double checked the Sabre website before I posted because stuff has been in flux. The two 48s were the only ones listed with non Volvo power options on the spec sheets. The 48 Salon Express is listed specifically with Zeus and the Flybridge is listed as Cummins power with no mention of pods. They may be trying to downplay the Zeus on the Flybridge.

We have two marina friends who recently (this spring and last fall) got 48s with Zeus that were sold as 19/20 model year boats. Who do you mean by “they”? Every conversation I’ve had with my Sabre CS guy about the Zeus vs Volvo choice his position has been that they haven’t had the same issues that others like Sea Ray have faced.


Without a doubt Sabre is turning into an all Volvo line. Which is kind of good for me as I have my own Volvo engineer because Sabre asked him to help me out

I ran a 2012 Zeus 48 Sabre back and forth from the Great Lakes to Florida 9 times, we never made a trip without a significant mechanical failure and this owner maintained them to the T if not over maintained the engines, transmissions and pods. Steering cylinders, drives, and transmission all were replaced multiple times due to the fluids mixing with each other. Each time the drives were the "latest generation" according to Mercruiser. Another interesting fact, the transmissions are a sealed case and not rebuildable (12k replacement plus labor at the time). I had another owner with an almost identical experience on a slightly newer boat.

The owners absolutely loved the boats, in fact one of them sold their Zeus 48 Sabre for an IPS 48 Sabre.

There is an abundance of Zeus powered Sabre's on the market, it's not a coincidence.

The IPS boats are under contract almost immediately.

I personally love the way that the Zues boats handle and the power is incredible, I wish they had a more reliable solution or a retrofit.
 
i have a 2013 54 Sundancer with 400 hours on it. i have full service on the engines, generators and change the pod oil annually. marine max has been changing the oil from the top of the pods (ie not our of the water). last year i had the boat pulled and we drained the oil from the bottom of the pods which is the correct method so that no debris stays in the pods. a good mechanic can probably get by with changing from the top every year for a few years but i'd recommend every time you have a bottom job or pull the boat for any reason out of water to pull the pod oil from the bottom. it is cheap to do and takes no time.
last year i had a pod go out at 400 hours. while the boat was out of warranty mercruiser still gave me a big break on the new pod at a price of $10,000. i decided to change both pods, annodes and such while the boat was out of the water and the entire bill for two new pods installed was $35,000. not a deal killer at all on a 7 year old boat of this caliber. my long time marine max mechanic told me they changed the seals on the new pods and "these pods should last forever." the old style seals eventually permit water leaking into the pods which equals failure.

i'm an old school 40 year shaft boat driver. however, i love these pods and would not be afraid to own a boat with pods. if i bought an older boat i'd just negotiate down $40-50,000 so make sure i had room to replace a pod or two when the time came.

happy pod boat owner.
 
Hi.
I have just joined the Club and also have a 2013 540.
Can I asked for a favor ?
Mine did not come with the Five Forty decals located under the Sundancer name on the hardtop arches.
Sea Ray don't have them in stock and want $1,340 each to reprint them.
I have found a shop that will make them but I need flat clear photos of them. The photos cannot be taken on an
angle.
Would appreciate any assistance as I found it impossible to locate any photos on the internet that can be used to create
new decals
Thanks Ainsley
 
Hi.
I have just joined the Club and also have a 2013 540.
Can I asked for a favor ?
Mine did not come with the Five Forty decals located under the Sundancer name on the hardtop arches.
Sea Ray don't have them in stock and want $1,340 each to reprint them.
I have found a shop that will make them but I need flat clear photos of them. The photos cannot be taken on an
angle.
Would appreciate any assistance as I found it impossible to locate any photos on the internet that can be used to create
new decals
Thanks Ainsley
Did you check https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/decals-pinstriping?cat=5018&p=3 ?

I didn't search their whole site, but did see ones for the 550 and 520.
 
Hi.
I have just joined the Club and also have a 2013 540.
Can I asked for a favor ?
Mine did not come with the Five Forty decals located under the Sundancer name on the hardtop arches.
Sea Ray don't have them in stock and want $1,340 each to reprint them.
I have found a shop that will make them but I need flat clear photos of them. The photos cannot be taken on an
angle.
Would appreciate any assistance as I found it impossible to locate any photos on the internet that can be used to create
new decals
Thanks Ainsley

I recently ordered the 44 that Sea Ray put on the transom on my model boat from www.domednumbers.com and it was exactly like the factory decal, $15.00 + $10.00 S&H.

The Sundancer decals were also missing when I purchased the boat and found factory leftovers at www.greatlakeskipper.com, $280.00 for 2. It's a good chance that Domednumbers could make those for your boat as well.
 

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I recently ordered the 44 that Sea Ray put on the transom on my model boat from www.domednumbers.com and it was exactly like the factory decal, $15.00 + $10.00 S&H.

The Sundancer decals were also missing when I purchased the boat and found factory leftovers at www.greatlakeskipper.com, $280.00 for 2. It's a good chance that Domednumbers could make those for your boat as well.
Many thanks for the note and suggestions.
Domednumber.com are making the new decal for me. I will post once they have been received.
 
If that is the case I suspect your attorney would advise not posting about it in a public forum. Good luck,

MM

Hello, we most make a group of owner to sue mercury, sea ray and Brunswick all together this is a scam a complete disaster the Seuz system is a mess.

Please contact me and I can give you many details of the problem of the Seuz seal actuator

vcasalta@gmail.com
 
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[Wait a little more and you are going to regret, this is a complete disaster

QUOTE="Richie89, post: 1031971, member: 27864"]Had my pod drives now for about 8 months. I will never go back. They are amazing, and my enjoyment of boating is much higher. I used to watch conditions for coming and going before setting off, but not now. I can dock and maneuver with ease in any condition. I now have absolutely no concerns around any dock situation. I can hold the boat for as long as my wife takes or needs tying up. To me, it isn't an issue of learning to operate better, it is an issue of it being so easy, that boating is more enjoyable. Instead of spinning the wheel, in and out of gear, grabbing thrusters, it's just one joystick that gives immediate response. To me, worth every penny of cost and additional maintenance. Having them will force me to haul out regularly, but that's a good thing to keep my boat running well.[/QUOTE]
 
I’ve had significant problems related to the Zeus Pods. Is there anyone else experiencing transmission problems, power steering actuators failing, and premature exhaust leaks?
Yes I have 10 years with this nightmare.
I have spoke with Todd Ashcroft in Mercury and this guy told me that is a sign a document to Mercury releasing them of any responsibility. They can help with the parts. I have all the videos and information to sue mercury and sea ray.
But we have to court with more than 10 owners and make a sue for 100MM to Brunswick, mercury and sea ray for making this scam this garbage of system
 
I have Zues Pods for two years now and know two friends that have them and knock on wood we have not had any problems with them.
I have 2015 pods and my friends have 2012 pods
 
Hello, we most make a group of owner to sue mercury, sea ray and Brunswick all together this is a scam a complete disaster the zeus system is a mess.

Please contact me and I can give you many details of the problem of the Seuz seal actuator

vcasalta@gmail.com
I have Zues Pods for two years now and know two friends that have them and knock on wood we have not had any problems with them.
I have 2015 pods and my friends have 2012 pods
I have Zues Pods for two years now and know two friends that have them and knock on wood we have not had any problems with them.
I have 2015 pods and my friends have 2012 pods
Wait, i little.more. if the engine get hot its going to happens and also after 400 hrs of use. You have to spend more than $ 20.000 in each engine.

This Zeus sucks it a disaster, mercury know it. they have ask me if I release them from any responsibility they will supply the parts. We must SUE mercury, sea ray and Brunswick for this scam....!!
 
I've been boating for 25 years. I just sold my 2012 Sea Ray 470. Loved the boat, hated the pods. I had it for only 2.5 years and replaced one pod ($20k) on the port side and the season replaced the power steering seals ($4,500) on the starboard side. It ruined the only 2 full seasons I had the boat. In addition, at times there was a one to two second delay when going from the throttles to the joy stick. Very unsettling and unpredictable. I previously owned a 1999 Tiara 4000 Express for 14 years. Great boat but was looking a bit old. Can kick myself for selling it. I ended up buying a 2003 Sea Ray 500 with V-drives. Its more of what I'm used to.
 
Wait, i little.more. if the engine get hot its going to happens and also after 400 hrs of use. You have to spend more than $ 20.000 in each engine.

This Zeus sucks it a disaster, mercury know it. they have ask me if I release them from any responsibility they will supply the parts. We must SUE mercury, sea ray and Brunswick for this scam....!!

I agree! Those Zeus pods are like a time bomb. When it goes off, and it will, it will cost thousands to fix. I replaced one entire pod. It rusted out from the inside! $20k to replace. Then the power steering seals blew on the other motor - $4,500. I couldn't wait to sell it, which I did just a few weeks ago. They don't make them anymore for a reason and Cummins has distanced themselves for Mercury. Never again!
 
I will refrain from posting the brand of the boat but I myself and a close friend / customer of mine have had complete nightmares with his Zeus boat.

-Both pods replaced.
-Both transmissions replaced at different intervals - NOT rebuildable.
-Both steering actuators replaced - two times each since the pod replacement - also NOT rebuildable.
-Both new pods have been rebuilt now as well since the replacement.
-Both "rings" replaced now 4 times.

Everything has been related to two different fluids mixing in the wrong locations. This is on a boat that has had way above average care and preventative maintenance its entire life. We take her on her own hull from Florida to Michigan and back each season, there has only been one trip we were able to continue the entire way without incident. NEVER have touched bottom with this boat either. Every single time, Cummins assumes zero responsibility, ZF assumes nothing, and Mercury will "gladly" pay for the parts after the word lawsuit starts being thrown around for some time. They have never paid for any of the labor associated with this.

Can you image having one of these with three Zues drives like an L590 has? No thank you.

A friend has one with 3 Zeus drives. Can't sell it. Can't even get people to look at it. Sad.
 
I have pods in a 2015 boat. In my fairly extensive research, I was completely against pods at first. The problems are with the early generation pods in all my research. I drove a boat with pods one time, and was completely sold. Yes, they require some additional maintenance, but I have more control of my 45' boat than I do in a 12' dinghy. And the performance is off the charts. I boat in soft, sandy South FL. If I boated somewhere rocky, I would rethink, but I have no worries knocking a pod off. Plus, with the Zeus, unlike the Volvo, if one is knocked off, no water intrusion. Is there anyone on here with a new version that's had any troubles? Mine have worked flawlessly so far.

Dude just wait. Those pods are like a time bomb waiting to go off. It will happen. Just a matter of when.
 

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