vol.8 iss.1 - Grand Banks Yachts

FEATURES OF ZEUS PODS
41 HERITAGE EU
There are a lot of remarkable new features on board the 41 Heritage EU: a fully
resin-infused hull and deckhouse, an intelligent multiplexing electrical system, new
interior styling, arrangements and more.
One new feature that has received a lot of attention is the revolutionary Zeus
propulsion system, which uses pod drives, joystick controls, integrated software and
other components to offer amazing control and performance enhancements. Here, we
focus on the Zeus pods themselves, highlighting some key features that help illustrate
the advantages this equipment offers to 41EU owners and operators.
Single Through Hull
Each Zeus pod is mounted through a single hole in the hull.
There are no additional penetrations for the shaft, struts, or
rudder aperture. The engine cooling intake is also in the pod,
and it even includes an extra intake for a generator. Result: the
opportunities for water intrusion are vastly reduced, and any
leak that does occur can be more easily traced to its source.
Hull Protection, Part I
In the case where underwater debris comes in contact with the props,
there is far less likelihood for substantial injury to the hull with a Zeus
pod than on a boat equipped with a traditional shaft drive – where
damaged props have been known to fly off and penetrate the hull.
With Zeus, the thick brass plate of the pod’s integrated trim tab provides
substantial protection, deflecting a broken blade away from the
hull and sparing the boat from severe damage.
Hull Protection, Part II
In the unlikely event that the 41EU strikes an object so heavy and
substantial that it doesn’t give way to the keel or pod, the Zeus
pod itself is designed to break away from the hull. This is actually
a major advantage in such situations: consider that when a
shaft-drive vessel hits rocks or major debris, the shaft is bent, the
rudder can be ripped off, and the hull is likely to be punctured.
In this case the boat may even sink – but with a Zeus pod, the
attaching ring seal prevents water intrusion and the boat can
proceed on one engine. Because such events are most likely to
occur in shallow water, a diver can retrieve the pod, which may
be repaired or even simply washed out and reattached.
Noise, Vibration, & Exhaust Reduction
Zeus pods use counter-rotating props, and the pods themselves are mounted
on large rubber grommets – helping to reduce vibration. Engine emissions exit
through the propeller hubs where the water takes it back through the wake,
so there is also less exhaust. Because the pods are mounted near the stern,
the engines are not located below the salon sole, making for a quieter ride.
Similarly, the efficiency of the pods enables the use of smaller, quieter engines.
Power & Efficiency
Several features of Zeus pods make them more efficient than traditional
shaft-drive propulsion. Because they are mounted parallel to
the waterline, the full power of the engines is used to drive the boat
forward. Automated trim tabs deploy precisely as needed, reducing
drag. Counter-rotating props eliminate power lost to rotational and side
forces, and minimize cavitation. Even the shape of the pod itself is more
efficient than a shaft, strut and rudder. The result is that less power and
fuel are required to move the 41EU as compared to a shaft-drive boat
at the same speed – up to 25% or more in preliminary tests.
Debris Deflection
The Zeus pod is mounted in a tunnel so that its nose cone is at
the same level as the keel. In the event that the 41EU encounters
underwater debris, the most likely scenario is that the debris
will be deflected downward by the keel. Any collision with the
pod itself would likely be at the skeg, which provides protection
below the level of the props. And should the debris be substantial,
the skeg is designed to shear away, minimizing damage to
the drive and the boat itself. The skeg can be easily replaced for
a nominal cost.
There are many more components of Zeus pods, and the complete propulsion system that
make for a revolutionary advancement – integrated autopilot, SmartCraft controls, automated
hydraulic trim tabs, and more. For a closer look at Zeus, and a more comprehensive overview
of ALL the new features of the 41 Heritage EU, visit: www.grandbanks.com/41EU
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SPRAY VOL.8, NO.1 DEMYSTIFYING ZEUS
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