- Joined
- Jul 16, 2002
- RO Number
- 9357
- Messages
- 533
I have absolutely fallen in love with the IPS joystick. It is truly revolutionary in every way. But, I also know that for the past 15 years or so, Mercury Marine has been developing the Zeus system, similar to the IPS in terms of drive location, but completely opposite propeller direction.
Now this has often been a topic of debate here on BoaterEd. Volvo vs. Merc, Zeus vs. IPS. This thread is not meant to re-ignite the debate, but merely to share some information I have discovered while searching for Zeus online.
First, I have always owned Mercury/Mercruiser engines. Back in the late 90's I had a 27' Chris Craft with an OMC, but we won't go there! I have always admired Mercury Marine because of their long standing history, seemingly decent functionality, ease of maintenance, and availability of parts and service in my area. Finding parts for a Mercruiser engine has never been more difficult than driving down to the local dealer or marine service center.
Volvo owners seem to be committed to the brand. I have always heard great things about Volvo engines & drives. I think the first thing Volvo did to a appease the general boating public was to offer a basic warranty that was twice as long as Mercury's. That and a seemingly beefier gear and shaft configuration on their outdrives, and people were hooked.
So, both companies seem to have a long heritage, with enthusiasts and owners that are downright loyal to their respective brand.
About 3 years ago, shortly after the boating public began buzzing about this new Volvo IPS project, I read about (what most consider to be Mercury's answer to IPS) the Zeus project. At face value, it seemed to be a rip-off of a Volvo Penta technological advancement, and at the same time it didn't appear to be too clever because the props face the same way that traditional stern drives have for over 40 years. While IPS was still in test phase, I read about the Zeus system, and a technology that Zeus will offer which was expected to change the way we dock our boats. The Zeus Joystick! I had heard of similar technologies on mega yachts and cruise ships before, but not on a mid-range sized production yacht. SHortly after reading about the Zeus Joystick, I see Volvo is developing a Joystick for their IPS, which since it's release has truly reinvented docking as we know it.
Just today, I read an article (a couple articles, actually) that talk about the Zeus system and how it may in fact be superior to the IPS system we've come to love. Integrating GPS technology with the Zeus' onboard computer system, the Zeus system can keep the yacht held completely stationary, even in strong winds and current. Imagine a system so advanced, it can keep a floating yacht in place, accounting for the slightest movement and compensating for it so rapidly, you cannot even tell the boat had moved.
I am sure that the engineers at Volvo Penta will develop this for the IPS computer system, and I hope they do. It will bring even more flexibility to a system that has already redefined close quarter maneuvering and taken the fear out of docking. The question is, will Zeus be released with this GPS technology before Volvo implements it into IPS? We'll have to wait and see. 2007 is supposedly the launch of Zeus.
And also, articles have said that Zeus may not be any more expensive than a typical inboard V-drive diesel powered vessel. If that's so, perhaps it will put a pricing crunch on both companies, allowing more of us to actually own an IPS or Zeus powered boat someday.
Here are some articles about the Zeus system that I read, interesting. Most are from summer 2006.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060705/ai_n16510933
Now this has often been a topic of debate here on BoaterEd. Volvo vs. Merc, Zeus vs. IPS. This thread is not meant to re-ignite the debate, but merely to share some information I have discovered while searching for Zeus online.
First, I have always owned Mercury/Mercruiser engines. Back in the late 90's I had a 27' Chris Craft with an OMC, but we won't go there! I have always admired Mercury Marine because of their long standing history, seemingly decent functionality, ease of maintenance, and availability of parts and service in my area. Finding parts for a Mercruiser engine has never been more difficult than driving down to the local dealer or marine service center.
Volvo owners seem to be committed to the brand. I have always heard great things about Volvo engines & drives. I think the first thing Volvo did to a appease the general boating public was to offer a basic warranty that was twice as long as Mercury's. That and a seemingly beefier gear and shaft configuration on their outdrives, and people were hooked.
So, both companies seem to have a long heritage, with enthusiasts and owners that are downright loyal to their respective brand.
About 3 years ago, shortly after the boating public began buzzing about this new Volvo IPS project, I read about (what most consider to be Mercury's answer to IPS) the Zeus project. At face value, it seemed to be a rip-off of a Volvo Penta technological advancement, and at the same time it didn't appear to be too clever because the props face the same way that traditional stern drives have for over 40 years. While IPS was still in test phase, I read about the Zeus system, and a technology that Zeus will offer which was expected to change the way we dock our boats. The Zeus Joystick! I had heard of similar technologies on mega yachts and cruise ships before, but not on a mid-range sized production yacht. SHortly after reading about the Zeus Joystick, I see Volvo is developing a Joystick for their IPS, which since it's release has truly reinvented docking as we know it.
Just today, I read an article (a couple articles, actually) that talk about the Zeus system and how it may in fact be superior to the IPS system we've come to love. Integrating GPS technology with the Zeus' onboard computer system, the Zeus system can keep the yacht held completely stationary, even in strong winds and current. Imagine a system so advanced, it can keep a floating yacht in place, accounting for the slightest movement and compensating for it so rapidly, you cannot even tell the boat had moved.
I am sure that the engineers at Volvo Penta will develop this for the IPS computer system, and I hope they do. It will bring even more flexibility to a system that has already redefined close quarter maneuvering and taken the fear out of docking. The question is, will Zeus be released with this GPS technology before Volvo implements it into IPS? We'll have to wait and see. 2007 is supposedly the launch of Zeus.
And also, articles have said that Zeus may not be any more expensive than a typical inboard V-drive diesel powered vessel. If that's so, perhaps it will put a pricing crunch on both companies, allowing more of us to actually own an IPS or Zeus powered boat someday.
Here are some articles about the Zeus system that I read, interesting. Most are from summer 2006.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060705/ai_n16510933