Positive Impact
Pod drives make inroads in sport boat market

The Volvo Penta IPS vectored thrust, or azimuthing pod-type drive system, introduced in the fall of 2004 has had a massive impact on the recreational boat industry. Fortunately, the impact has been overwhelmingly beneficial and the IPS pod drive technology, now joined by the Cummins Mercruiser Zeus system, is enjoying excellent market acceptance in a variety of yachts operating with multiple 375- to 670-horsepower engines.

When first introduced, this apparently radical propulsion system created both great interest and a commensurate number of questions, especially from boat owners who largely focused their concerns on one aspect of the “impact” of this new technology. Namely, would the drive pods protruding below the hull be especially vulnerable to damage, and might they be torn from the bottom of the boat in a grounding incident. Despite the fact that many ferries, tugs, ships, and even a couple of megayachts use Azipod (or similar Mermaid) drives, a definitive answer for recreational buyers would have to wait until a substantial. ...

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