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Not side by side IPS or Zues pods

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Capt Ralph, Feb 21, 2016.

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  1. Capt Ralph, Feb 21, 2016
    #1
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I can imagine a dual pod system would probably do well side by side.
    What about adding more pods?
    Like the third in the middle, further forward a few (several) feet. I can see greater leverage and maneuverability over traditional all side by side pods here. Interior service may gain a few inches beam wise.

    Maybe some loss room fore/aft and defeating some of the advantages of a pod system.

    Anybody thought about this before on a trip or quad installation?

    For a large cruiser that may require more than two, I don't see any planning issues.
  2. olderboater, Feb 21, 2016
    #2
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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  3. Capt J, Feb 22, 2016
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    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I feel that if you had some foward and some aft of them, that the foward ones would create too much cavitation for the rear ones.
  4. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2016
    #4
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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  5. olderboater, Feb 22, 2016
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    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I know...that's why I clarified it was just the engines but pods were parallel. I agree with CaptJ on the problems you'd likely encounter staggering the pods themselves. I'm sure it could be engineered to work, but not simple and no real reason to do so.
  6. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2016
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I would not think much but in a turn, probably so,
    Oh well, Was trying to think out loud.
  7. Marmot, Feb 22, 2016
    #7
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    ABB+Azipod+propulsion+units_Freedom.jpg
    The inventors of the Azipod thought about it.
  8. Capt J, Feb 22, 2016
    #8
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The IPS and some Zues exhaust through the propellor hubs. Some all of that exhaust on the foward pods would definately create cavitation on the rear pods. The picture Marmot posted, the pods are staggered, but looks like the propellors are pretty much in line.
  9. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2016
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Using you picture, I was thinking that center pod (rotatable also) even more forward. Forming a triangle of traction.
    Not quite a multi point DP system with pods broadcast about the hull.

    I'm no engineer, My mind was just wondering last night about pods and hulls with no thrusters. How big boats used pods with no thrusters and improving the leverage to twist a hull by staggering a pod forward.
  10. gr8trn, Feb 22, 2016
    #10
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    I have not found any maneuverability issues with side by side zeus pods on a 40,000 lb 50 foot vessel. No bow thruster as is common on many newer IPS boats by Prestige and maybe others. I have not found any need for thrusters in addition to pods.

    Are you thinking of larger vessels?
  11. Capt J, Feb 22, 2016
    #11
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I ran a 50' Prestige quite a bit. The problem is Prestige needs to program the joystick better, if you just push it sideways, the bow always lags behind, but it easily corrects by twisting the knob at the same time. The bow thruster is nice once in a slip. The prestiges and other IPS boats with the underwater exhaust tend to always dance around a little and never totally sit at rest.
  12. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2016
    #12
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Was just thinking out loud.
    Thx to all.
  13. olderboater, Feb 22, 2016
    #13
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    How about putting them all in front and having "front wheel drive" boats? Then you could put two in the front and two back and have "all wheel drive."
  14. Capt Ralph, Feb 22, 2016
    #14
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Then you would have a ship that a friend of mine is running. DP(S)3 drill ship.