Drive system promises total marine control

Handling a boat will never be the same again, with the launch of a breakthrough in total boat control claimed to make driving on water as precise and easy as on the road.

Handling a boat will never be the same again, with the launch of a breakthrough in total boat control claimed to make driving on water as precise and easy as on the road.

The Variable Surface Drive (VSD) potentially more than doubles efficiency, boosts performance and control, with significantly lower fuel consumption, emissions and noise.

The VSD is a revolution in marine propulsion systems which has been likened to the development of the sail, the propeller and the turbine.

It is the fruit of 12 years of development work initiated by engineer Ian Duncan.

For the motorboat user, this advanced marine drive system is as far ahead of other new-generation drives as these are ahead of conventional stern drives.

The impact of VSD in the marine environment can be likened to that of automotive management systems.

It is not just a propulsion system, but provides total boat control - ride, attitude, position and motion.

Developed and tested over five years, VSD provides "point and go" joystick control for safe, exciting driving, easy docking in the tightest of spaces, and introduces steerable braking.

Irrespective of sise, a boat can be turned within its own length or manoeuvred sideways with no need for thrusters.

Clutchless forwards/astern operation, responsive and light steering even at crawl speeds, and automatic trim control deliver a whole new experience of easy driving for the boat user.

Total drive train and propulsive efficiency is 80 to 85%, against the norm in the recreational market of 30 to 45%.

There are no rudders, legs, skegs or other wetted components to add to drag.

The VSD improves acceleration and delivers the same top speed with half the engine power.

Equally, for a given engine size, acceleration and top speed are dramatically increased.

Anne Duncan, Yellowfin's Managing Director, said: "VSD makes boating more fun, more efficient and perhaps above all more economical".

"Owners will see their fuel bills take a dive".

"Reducing the environmental impact of boating, we believe, is the greatest contribution VSD can make in overhauling marine propulsion".

"With its fuel economy goes reduced noise, vibration, and exhaust and thermal emissions".

VSD is a complete, bolt-on, space-saving propulsion package that is compatible with any engine type, even nonmarine engines.

VSD will also offer other onboard systems such as inertial navigation and dynamic positioning, automatic docking, GPS navigation, speed/ heading/voyage logs, autopilot steering control, and satellite communications.

VSD will be available from 60 to 2000hp in single, dual and multiple engine installations.

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