Cmd Propelled Into Action

Newcastle Herald

Friday September 22, 2006

Boating, Mark Rothfield

"DON'T get mad get even," must've been the motto at Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD) last year when arch rival Volvo Penta turned the marine propulsion world upside down or at least back-to-front with its innovative IPS system.

CMD has responded with its own pod-drive unit tagged Project Zeus, which it claims is the culmination of 15 years development work.

Can't rush these things . . ..

It is said to deliver 30 per cent better fuel economy, unsurpassed handling at high and low speeds, and unparalleled integration.

Whereas Volvo Penta's IPS has the props facing forward, Zeus sports conventional rear-facing, counter-rotating propellers and a through-hub exhaust.

CMD's engineers believe the rear-facing orientation offers greater safety because the drive housing and skeg protect the dual props from debris strikes and groundings.

They say that most objects will be deflected downwards, away from the blades, but in the event of a catastrophic collision the unit can shear off without holing the hull.

The steerable pod drives negate the need for rudders and potentially make bow thrusters obsolete. Joystick control delivers precise handling in berthing manoeuvres, while an autopilot keeps the vessel on a fixed heading within a confined area, even in strong currents and wind.

Fuel efficiency and superior performance come courtesy of the horizontal thrust in traditional installations, angled shafts waste power by pushing the water flow down as well as backwards.

Integrated trim tabs work automatically during hard acceleration and in the absence of shafts, struts and rudders there is also considerably less drag.

CMD is claiming a 7 per cent boost in speed and a 30 per cent saving in fuel when coupled with either the 425hp or 500hp Quantum diesel engine.

Engine exhaust noise is virtually eliminated by venting the emission through the propeller hubs, and a large rubber mounting grommet reduces vibration.

User-friendliness extends to SmartCraft instrumentation, which allows the driver to monitor and control engine performance, the generator, air-conditioning and the entertainment system.

Boatbuilders will begin offering CMD technology by mid-next year, with the 2008 model releases having more widespread integration. Phone Tony Lee from Cummins on 0419 106 606.

Not to be outdone, Volvo Penta has made IPS (Inboard Performance System) available as a triple installation for the first time.

Previously, the drive system only existed as twin installations, but the extra leg diddle-iddle-iddle-um allows it to accommodate boats from 50 foot upwards.

Like Zeus, it employs a new joystick control. Cleverly, the throttle and shifting are the same as with a twin installation the centre engine is controlled electronically.

The Italian 56-footer Absolute was the first boat in Europe to be launched with triple IPS units.

Top speed is said to be 40 knots, while fuel consumption and noise levels are apparently much lower.

There are four power options available 350, 400, 500 and 600 horsepower.

About 100 different boat models featuring IPS have been launched. For details phone Volvo Penta Oceania on (07) 3902 5444.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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