On Aug 28, 3:25?am, HK wrote:
Chuck Gould wrote:
Grand Banks Yachts today announced plans to release an
extraordinary new addition

The two-stateroom 41EU will be the first Grand Banks to utilize the
Zeus Propulsion System from
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel, a revolutionary new propulsion system
launched in 2006.

Wow...reposting of an entire commercial PR release. Is this that idiotic
forward facing prop system?

Relax, Harry.

This doesn't concern you- it's something that people who actually use
a boat or may be buying an inboard boat in the future might find
interesting.

No, it has nothing to do with the Volvo IPS system. (Which is far from
idiotic). Zeus drives face aft. They incorporate counter rotating
props, and each of the two pods can be vectored independently. Because
the thrust can be directed, there is no need for a rudder- just like
an outboard or an I/O. Lack of the drag associated with a rudder helps
improve speed and efficiency. Because each drive pod vectors
independently, there are some fancy new tricks that can be utilized
for bringing a boat to the dock. You could literally steer the boat
with a joystick, select an angle and the boat will go in that
direction.

Zeus drives can be electronically coupled to a GPS and used for anchor
watch. Want to stay put in exactly the same spot, without drifiting
with wind or current? The Zeus drives will monitor the GPS readings
and keep the boat in the originally requested position.

Commercial vessels have used this sort of drive for a long time. The
cuirse ship we took to AK last June had either 5 or 7 of these drive
units (don't recall which) and was steered by a joystick. Of course
the
pods were many multiples larger and heavier than will be used on the
2008 GB.

Sorry to disrupt your world. When I decide to post about gluing a rod
holder to a styrofoam ice chest, I'm sure that will meet with your
approval (although I could give a ratz arse either way).