GB going to Zeus drives (pods) on a new 2008 model

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. The twin Zeus pods, mounted in tunnels in the hull, are steerable and use independent vectoring for dramatically improved high-speed handling and easier docking. Cruising speeds with twin Cummins QSB5.9 diesels are estimated at 14 to 16 knots, with estimated top speeds of 22 to 24 knots based on engine size.

The Zeus pod system provides two other important benefits: greater fuel efficiency - with an estimated 30% increased fuel economy at a higher cruising speed - and more living space, with the pods requiring less area devoted to the engine room than traditional shaft drive systems.

"We have devoted considerable time and research to making the new 41EU a top performer in all respects, from handling and speed and fuel economy, to reliability and seaworthiness, style and comfort," Said Rob Livingston, President of Grand Banks Yachts. "We were very impressed by the Zeus drive, Cummins' Quantum engine technology, and their approach to systems integration. It opened up all kinds of opportunities to make this an ideal boat for both new and current GB owners."

Featuring an advanced joystick control system, Zeus also delivers precise turning and closequarters maneuvering, with a unique station-keeping feature that uses GPS technology to keep the 41EU firmly in place. It also maintains a fixed heading within a tight area, even in strong currents.

The 41 Heritage EU will be the first boat of her kind to utilize the new Zeus system.

Grand Banks Yachts is bringing other advancements to the design and construction of the 41EU. Three different modified deep-V hull forms were exhaustively tank- tested to optimize the design for efficiency at both high and low speeds. The lines of the deckhouse add contemporary nuances to the iconic GB profile. And interior layouts continue the company's recent trend toward a more sophisticated, stylish living spaces.

Not to be overlooked, the new model's 41-foot size is itself of notable importance. Since the retirement of the best-selling 42 Heritage model in 2005, demand for a new Grand Banks Heritage Series model in the 40-foot range has grown strong among consumers worldwide.

"Boaters will be amazed and impressed by what we have been able to accomplish in a 41-foot vessel," said Livingston. "With less space required for the engine room, accommodations and living areas are what you would expect from a much larger boat. There really is nothing else like it in her size."

Grand Banks will promote the 41EU throughout the fall boat show season, and provide many opportunities for interested boaters to learn more about this ground- breaking new model before its launch in Summer 2008.

Another dangerous inlet, in my opinion, is Jupiter Inlet in Florida. Fetch can build some rough water as you approach and the "channel" is constantly shifting due to storms.

Eisboch

So much for luddites like you Harry.

Better efficiency, better manueverability and better engine room layout. Sounds like a great idea.

The entire keel and the foreward sections of the hull protrude substantially deeper than the Zeus drives on the 41 GB. Visualize a semi displacement hull, instead of a planing hull, and you may be able to appreciate why the Zeus drives are not unduly exposed. The total surface exposure is much less than with traditional exposed shafts and struts, and a serious wack may be substantially less likely to sink the boat.

The shipyards around there, particularly in New Bedford/Fairhaven, make a good living patching up the ensuing wrecks. No one is immune it seems. Last time we were in New Bedford there was a 120 ft mega yacht side by side with a 40 something steel hulled sail boat. Both had a big gash in the side.

But, as ROM has shown here, he's just another rec.boats dickwad.

Nothing wrong with an outboard, if fact I'd prefer it to an I/O, but both are not practical for some boats. I've seen a SeaRay with conventional twin screws and rudders have the entire strut on one side ripped out of the hull when it's prop picked up and wrapped a submerged 2" hawser. I also recently saw a mangled mess of props, bent shafts and a hole almost 2 feet long in a boat that got out of the channel in Wood's Hole and ran up on the rocks.

Eisboch

On straight inboard boats, I prefer the shafts and drives be at least partially protected by a significant keel ahead of those appendages. There are plenty of inboards with such bottom protection. But even bare struts, shafts and props present less of an inviting target and probably don't hang down as low as these new variations on I/O drives that come through the bottom of the hull. Plus they are very complex, just the sort of thing you need when "cruising" to faraway ports. Keep in mind that commercial vessels with these sorts through the bottom propulsion systems have access to maintenance and repair facilities not usually available to "yachtsmen."

I've previously stated my feelings about I/O's. I think they are ok on trailerboats that are under regular inspection by their owners when the boats are regularly hauled out of the water. I've seen more than a couple of I/O boats go down by the stern at marinas because their stern gasket sprung a big leak.

If I were in the market for a 30-35 footer, diesel, I'd want to give serious consideration to some of the newer, higher efficiency "jet" drive boats. There's nothing much on the bottom of these boats but an encased water inlet. Nothing hanging down there.

I mentioned that a local dealer recently sold a 36-foot Grady with three 250-hp outboards. Nice boat, but 750 outboard horsepower? Thanks, but no thanks.

I have a brochure now on these Zeus drives. They remind me of an I/0 in many ways, with the lower unit mounted "lower" than usual. It seems to me that a jackshaft equipped I/O offers the same "advantages" without all the horrific extra complexity. Of course, the largest diesel jackshaft engine I've seen was only 380 shp.

As for the "fancy" electronic positioning Chuck was touting, it's really not that big a deal. As

That was the first and only time I ever saw a powerboat run aground there. The channel itself is deep and well-marked, and the sandbars are obvious. Typically, sailboats have a difficult time there because of the winds, tides, and lack of engine power. We'd see several sailboats a year bang onto the sandbars at that location from our vantage point on the south side, adjacent to the stone jetty.

This inlet is the one around the corner from Salt Run in St. Augustine.

The year we moved, a shrimp trawler ran aground just outside the inlet, heading south. It sank and became a dangerous derelict. The boat went down about 50 yards offshore of the beginning of the nude beach.

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).

It's one thing to ding the bottom or even a reef with a standard inboard...you might get get away unscathed, or you might damage a prop blade or, well, sure, worse things can happen. But the kinds of repair bills "Zeus" will enable...whoooo-hoooooo.

Good one.

For the record, I don't have a dog in this fight - I just appreciate a funny line. :>)

A couple of other things to know, that aren't included in the release: Cummins *recommends* mounting the pods in tunnels or depressions so the forward facing tips extend no deeper than the keel of the vessel- and that will allow the keel to help protect the props. The skeg is designed to sheer, if necessary.

Most twin engine inboards will have for more running gear exposed, considering struts, shafts, etc, than is exposed with the Zeus pod. When striking a swamped container, deadhead, etc at high speed with a traditonal twin engine inboard there is a risk of taking out a strut and opening a hole of maybe a square foot or more below the waterline. (Mayday!) The Zeus pod, like Volvo's IPS, is designed to sheer cleanly in the event of an extremely serious impact. You will lose your $20,000 drive but maybe save your $2,000,000 boat.

1. GB will use the Cummins Zeus drive on the 2008 41 Europa 2. Zeus drives are a rear-facing duo-prop pod system designed to be mounted in a prop tunnel. 3. The engineers at Cummins considered the risk of grounding and impact when designing the system.

Which of those ideas is untrue?

Cummins could save a lot of dough if they only knewthey could put you on staff for 50-times what you now make sitting around posting to a couple of dozen newsgroups 24/7, (still wouldn't cost them a dime) fire their mechanical engineers, and you'd be there to tell them the "truth" about their crappy systems. :-)

Hey, you're the same guy who touted the wonderful technological advances at the Bayliner factory. Maybe you need a new nick here...how about "Chopper Gun Chuck"?

He could have just as easily cut and pasted a political news article that everyone can read on any news site.

What was Chuck thinking! If he keeps that up someone might actually comment on one of his PR releases and then a damn boating discussion might result. I know you hate it when rec.boats becomes cluttered with damn boating discussions.

What was he thinking of.