Power On Show At SCIBS

Cummins display at the 2011 SCIBS

Pod drives proved popular in Engine Alley at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show for those looking for both small and larger leisure, or commercial marine engines. On display were the likes of Cummins' ZEUS and Volvo Penta's IPS, while Caterpillar, Hyundai Seasail, MAN, Scania, Twin Disc and Hamilton Jets also displayed their latest engine products. Outside of Engine Alley, Honda Marine, Mercury Marine and Torqeedo Electric Outboards were on display throughout the marine village and in the main pavilion.

Cummins Zeus Pod-drive unit

Cummins MerCruiser Diesel's innovative Zeus pod-drive systems offers joystick controlled drive-by-wire steering and was featured alongside the QSB5.9-480hp, the QSC8.3-600hp and the QSM11-715hp Zeus model engines. The three Zeus models are available in triple and quadruple configurations meaning the Zeus 3000 series technology covers a range from a total installed power of 710hp through to a whopping 2860ph.

Volvo Penta IPS

Volvo Penta has launched the IPS 1200 and IPS 1050 that are designed for use in vessels up to 100ft when linked with the powerful D13 engine. Volvo Penta's IPS systems make a huge difference when it comes to performance, emissions and on board comfort. Such as up to 40% longer cruising range, 20% higher top-speed and 30% less fuel consumption.

Honda Four-Stroke

Honda Marine's range of technologically-advanced four-stroke outboard engines were on display alongside the new Honwave range of inflatable boats. Now featuring the BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) System across the entire range, Honda outboard engines are well known for their quiet running, great fuel economy and cleaner burn.

Twin Disc Express Joy Stick alongside QuickShift Controls

As well as displaying the Express Joystick System alongside a Seakeeper Gyroscopic Anti-roll Stabilizer, Twin Disc also gave boat owners the opportunity to test the EJS system on a Maritimo C60. EJS revolutionises docking and slow speed manoeuvring of diesel powered, conventional shaft-drive boats. Using Twin Disc's patented Quickshift transmission and EC300 control technology, the joystick offers fingertip control of the boat's direction and speed. The EJS can smoothly control engines, transmission and thrusters. It allows a skipper effortless control in any direction - even to pivot the boat on it own axis.

Torqeedo Cruise R Electric Outboards

Torqeedo Australia showcased its Twin Cruise 4.OR electric outboards which provide you with the benefit of speed and range for small planing boats or the power to move larger vessels. Potentially a prefect set-up for coastal sport fishing punts or tenders. The unique design has an integrated display providing information on battery status, GPS-based speed and GPS-based remaining range. Torqeedo figures give a range of up to 39.4 km at 11km/h and a running time of 3.30 hours at half throttle, and up to 26km/h, a range of 27.8 km and running time of just over one hour at full throttle.

Hamilton Jets are both efficient and eco friendly

JetSynergy, the recently appointed East Coast Australia and Papua New Guinea agents for HamiltonJet were at this year's SCIBS. HamiltonJet has been providing waterjet propulsion solutions since the 1950's and has installed over 50,000 waterjets into vessels around the world. Some of the advantages of waterjets include improved efficiency, excellent manoeuvrability, safety for people in the water and durability given the fact there is no exposed appendages beneath the hull. This can also mean less chance of an animal strike and damage to the reef or seagrass beds.

Read more on these power plants in the next issue of Marine Alliance newsletter.