Shafts vs Zeus

wetpaint

Active Member
Nov 2, 2007
2,370
Cape Cod/Caribbean
Boat Info
41 Lipari Catamaran
Engines
2 x Volvo 30hp
If you were buying a boat today (40+ feet), would you opt for shafts or zeus and why? Do not include the cost for upgrade as a reason......
 
Shafts or IPS.

Nothing against Zeus owners, I just feel the IPS system is a lot more refined than the Zeus boats that I have run.

Shafts are tried and true, Pod drives in general I believe are still in their infancy and I feel down the road will have a bit more issues than traditional transmissions, shafts, props, and rudders.
 
[h=1]One magazines opinion.....
Beyond the Hype[/h]Five years after their recreational debut, pod drives continue to appear as standard equipment on midsize motoryachts. Find out what service they really require and how much it’s going to cost.
By Vincent Daniello / Published: January 25, 2012

http://www.yachtingmagazine.com/how-to/design-performance/beyond-the-hype
 
Conventional shafts or v-drives. The pods have obvious adantages, but until I win the lottery, I can't afford the higher cost of operation. To realize the financial payback, you would have to use your boat a lot (and be able to afford to). The benefit associated with the additional room they allow inside the boat is a personal judgement.

I'll buy a good used (bigger) boat with the same dollars after someone else has realized the depreciation.

Don
 
There have been many discussions on CSR about boats left in a slip in saltwater and why shafts( inboards) are typically the better choice over outdrives. What's the difference?? Aren't the pods basically outdrives that are just mounted on the bottom instead of the transom?
 
I had V drives on my searay and now it will be my 3rd season with IPS, and there is no looking back. Recently had an opportunity to drive a Viking 42 open with Zeus and the handling was simply amazing, the boat turned on a dime. When shopping for the next boat POD drives will be at the top of the list.
 
Since we are soon to be old retired people, if there is a next boat, I plan for it to be pods. I do reasonably well with the v-drives, but as we start to get into the 70+ range in years old, I would like the comfort of knowing that as the body and mind slow down, the ease of recovery is better when wind, current, or other errors occurs.
 
I think the pod systems are 'neat', but can't help thinking they fall into the category of the large boat sterndrive. I know a lot has been written about the pod being a more efficient drive system because the thrust direction is parallel with the hull. But the downside is a heck of a lot of complicated expensive hardware in the drive line. That's a pretty big violation of the KISS principle.

Henry
 
Are bigassoutboards a choice?!!

ZF has a joystick for inboards will replicate the dockside maneuverability of pods. Thruster required but they are retrofittable. Opens a lot of options.
 
Scott -- pods don't defy physics.

You can all say that pods are cute toys but pods are here to stay and they will be offered as standard on all boats over 34' in the coming years. They make more sense than sterndrives in the bigger boats. I don't buy the arguments of "learn to maneuver like a real captain...what happens if your fancy pods break down?" or "What if you need to drive a boat without a joystick?" Those are not a legit arguments....my boat is a sterndrive but what happens if my DTS module goes out? I'm screwed, no backup cables to steer. Also, when is the last time you were forced to drive someone else's boat in an emergency? Sure, it could happen but I'm sure it won't happen to many of us. And if it did, will pods make us stupid? "Duh, where's the joystick? What are these levers for? I can't figure this out?????" Not likely.

Now, with that said....I love the concept of pods but have your heard them around the dock? The loud clunking of them shifting in and out of gear sounds like your hitting underwater concrete. Not to mention the swirl they create.....they're like underwater blenders....I'll bet they puree fish each time someone docks.

Cost and maintenance are a personal issue -- if you can afford them....go for it.
 
Tonka, when you say: "I don't buy the arguments of "learn to maneuver like a real captain...what happens if your fancy pods break down?" or "What if you need to drive a boat without a joystick?" Those are not a legit arguments....my boat is a sterndrive but what happens if my DTS module goes out? I'm screwed, no backup cables to steer."

Why are those not legit arguments? I think the point being, that shafts and rudders are simpler, and the main reason that pods came into existence is to help people who can't drive twins well.

Not trying to argue, but I think those are legit arguments...from their point of view.
 
I know a couple who lost an engine out running on a trip, they had one heck of a time getting their IPS boat into the dock or able to track straight without the port drive engaged.

A shaft driven boat loses an engine, turn the rudders the opposite direction and prepare for a slow but straight ride home.
 
I think the pod systems are 'neat', but can't help thinking they fall into the category of the large boat sterndrive. I know a lot has been written about the pod being a more efficient drive system because the thrust direction is parallel with the hull. But the downside is a heck of a lot of complicated expensive hardware in the drive line. That's a pretty big violation of the KISS principle.

Henry

I'm 100% agree with Henry and this is why I chose inboards as soon as I stopped trailering my boats.


Since we are soon to be old retired people, if there is a next boat, I plan for it to be pods. I do reasonably well with the v-drives, but as we start to get into the 70+ range in years old, I would like the comfort of knowing that as the body and mind slow down, the ease of recovery is better when wind, current, or other errors occurs.

I perfectly understand where you're coming from and agree that safe landing can save you a lot more than what it costs to maintain the PODs or Zues drives. However, the same comfort level and fool control can be available with bow and stern trusters. If combination of twins with bow and stern truster doesn't give you enough control, then I would agree that the joystick with PODs is the way to go. Safety is #1.


I know a couple who lost an engine out running on a trip, they had one heck of a time getting their IPS boat into the dock or able to track straight without the port drive engaged.

A shaft driven boat loses an engine, turn the rudders the opposite direction and prepare for a slow but straight ride home.

That's just another good reminder of what reality might bring.
 
Why are those not legit arguments? I think the point being, that shafts and rudders are simpler, and the main reason that pods came into existence is to help people who can't drive twins well.

Not trying to argue, but I think those are legit arguments...from their point of view.

Not arguing here either.....my point is that a person needs to be able to control their boat regardless of the power plant....shafts don't make you less prone to equipment failure and failure is failure regardless if it's shafts, pods, stern or outboards.

Also, pods weren't created for people who can't drive twins well. They were created to give captains of larger boats better control in tight situations, better handling while underway and more space where larger engines would normally be.
 
Anything that smacks of outdrive technology would never be on another boat I own in the future. And face it, the Zeus is similar to the lower unit of an outdrive (I know this is an over simplification but just the same that is pretty much what it is)

I just don't feel the better fuel mileage and directional control are worth the price of admission compared to the simplicity of prop shafts.
 
I know a couple who lost an engine out running on a trip, they had one heck of a time getting their IPS boat into the dock or able to track straight without the port drive engaged.

A shaft driven boat loses an engine, turn the rudders the opposite direction and prepare for a slow but straight ride home.

I always wondered about that... Thanks I'll keep my inboards.
 

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