Singles and twins

A lot of boaters want to know why Volvo (IPS) and Cummins (Zeus) don't offer single engine applications of their pod drive systems. We want to know too. I have asked engineers from both companies of they plan to offer anything in the future but they seem uninterested because the market for single engines is too small. I/O installations turn from side to side of course but shafted drives with singles do not. I for one think that a Zeus single couple to an effective bow thruster would be a great and efficient drive train.

Comments

[BEn]

Bentley,
As the market for singles grow, I think you will start to see the engineers change their tune. Two problems I can think of right now:

1. The sheering property of the pod lower unit when hitting a hard object. No one wants to see their $300K boat turn into a bobbing cork.

2. The thrusters that are offered on the market right now are just that thrusters, they are for quick 1-4 second bursts at a time for positioning, not for extended periods of use. As you are aware, doing so would burn out a motor in no time.

I have faith in technology right now and am very enthusiastic for the future of boating. Keep pushing your IPS and Zeus people, they will come around sooner or later.