| Feature |
Benefit |
Zeus Pod Drives |
IPS Pod Drives |
| Rear Facing Propellers |
Increased Propeller Protection |
■ Rear Facing |
■ Forward facing |
| Tunnel Mounted Pods |
Increased Pod protection |
■ Tunnel mounted |
■ Exposed |
| Breakaway Skeg |
Increased Pod Protection |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Joystick Operation |
Simplified Docking |
■ Standard |
■ Option |
| Joystick Auto Yaw Correction |
Auto Correction in Changing Conditions |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Precision Pilot (Autopilot) |
Simplified / Integrated Navigation |
■ Standard |
■ 3rd party option |
| Integrated Auto Trim Tab |
Visibility, Acceleration & Fuel Economy |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Trolling Valve |
Precise Speed Control With Joystick |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Hydraulic Steering Actuation |
Increased Reliability and Response Rate |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Backup Steering Pump |
Increased Durability and Protection |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Overall Pod Configuration |
Up to 15% Speed, 30% Fuel Increase |
■ Standard |
■ Standard |
| Pod Cover |
Aesthetics and Component Protection |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Mounting Points for Lift Eyes |
Ease of Installation |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| MerCathode |
Active Galvanic Corrosion Protection |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Idle Exhaust Gas Relief |
Vibration Reduction |
■ Standard connection |
■ Not available |
| Propulsion Power |
Cummins 6 Liter Engine Platform |
■ 480 hp |
■ 435 hp |
| In-water Pod Oil Change |
Eliminates costly haul-out |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Installation Options |
Zeus & Inboard Fit Into Same Mold |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Installation Options |
Current Molds Use Zeus Tunnel Inserts |
■ Standard |
■ Not available |
| Feature |
Benefit |
| Rear Facing Propellers |
By placing the propellers behind the pod unit, the propellers are not exposed to objects or debris in
the water. This position offers a greater level of protection for the propellers without sacrificing
performance. |
| Tunnel Mounted Pods |
When the pods are mounted in a tunnel, as opposed to mounting them to the deadrise, the vertical
position of the pod is optimized, reducing the hardware exposure below the keel. |
| Breakaway Skeg |
The use of a skeg designed to break away reduces the force transmitted to the pod and hull during
mild to moderate encounters with underwater objects. |
| Joystick Operation |
The joystick, for low speed maneuverability, is central to the Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Zeus
propulsion system. CMD has included the joystick as a standard feature rather than as an option. |
| Joystick Auto Yaw Correction |
The Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Zeus Pod Drive system will automatically correct for undesired changes
in heading when the boat is maneuvered using the joystick control. |
| Precision Pilot (Autopilot) |
An autopilot is integrated into the Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Zeus Pod system, and is a fuly
functional standard feature. No 3rd party autopilot is required. This eliminates any integration or
configuration that might be required otherwise. |
| Integrated Auto Trim Tab |
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel offers an integrated trim tab as part of the Zeus Pod Drive propulsion. When
run in the "Auto" mode, the tab will optimize vessel attitude for maximum visibility during all
conditions, reduced bow rise during acceleration, and increased fuel economy. No other pod system
offers an integrated trim tab. |
| Trolling Valve |
The transmission mounted on the Zeus pod has a trolling valve incorporated. The trolling valve
allows for more precise joystick control than systems without a trolling valve. The trolling valve will
allow the transmission to spin the propeller shaft at a slower rate than if the transmission was fully
engaged or "in gear". This allows the Cummins MerCruiser Diesel system to have smoother and
more precise movement under joystick control. |
| Hydraulic Steering Actuation |
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel's Zeus pod system uses a hydraulic steering actuator instead of
anelectric actuator. The use of hydraulic actuation is better suited to a marine environment, and
provides a much faster response rate. |
| Backup Steering Pump |
The Zeus pods have a secondary backup pump mounted on the pod that will provide steering
actuation in the event of a failure of the primary pump. This greater level of protection is only offered
by Cummins MerCruiser Diesel. |
| Overall Pod Configuration |
The Zeus pod propulsion system, when coupled with Cummins MerCruiser Diesel engines, has
proven to provide up to a 15% gain in running speed and a 30% gain in fuel economy when
compared to conventional inboard propulsion systems. |
| Pod Cover |
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel includes a protective pod cover for each Zeus pod. This cover provides
a clean look to the bilge while offering protection to the pod and its components. |
Mounting Points for
Lifting Eyes |
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel understands that easier installation results in higher quality of the initial
build, and a reduction in time requirements for the service events later on. For these reasons, the
Zeus pod includes a pair of threaded bosses on the top of the pod unit that allow it to be lifted from
the top as well as from underneath providing greater flexibility for installation and removal. |
| MerCathode |
As has been proven on many sterndrive installations, the Zeus pod drive offers a Zeus specific version of
the MerCathode system. This active galvanic corrosion protection system is only offered by
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel. |
| Idle Exhaust Gas Relief |
Cummins MerCruiser Diesel's Zeus installations have an integrated exhaust gas bypass. This
bypass provides a low resistance exit path for exhaust gasses during idle and low speed operation.
By venting the exhaust under these conditions exhaust induced vibration is significantly reduced. |
| Propulsion Power |
Zeus utilizes Cummins MerCruiser Diesel's proven Quantum Series engine technology. With
industry leading power density, the Zeus six liter engine platform can offer clean running, EPA Tier 2
emission compliant engines up to 480 horsepower. |
| In-water Pod Oil Change |
In an effort to keep maintenance costs low, Cummins MerCruiser Diesel's Zeus system allows for
performance of all routine mantenaince fluid changes to be done with the boat in the water. This
eliminates the need for a costly haul out when regular maintenance is needed. |
| Installation Options |
The Zeus pod propulsion system was designed with all customers in mind. Cummins MerCruiser
Diesel has used extensive experience with boatbuilders to design a tunnel system that is compatible
with both conventional shaft drive systems as well as the Zeus pod system. This provides the
flexibility for an OEM to offer both Zeus pod and inboard shaft drive configurations in the same boat
model, and doesn't require special tooling or an additional mold for CMD Zeus systems. That level
of flexibility helps the boatbuilder keep their costs low while offering a chioce to the customer. |
| Installation Options |
The tunnels used for the Zeus system can be molded in with an insert. Cummins MerCruiser Diesel
understands that boat molds are expensive, so the Zeus system was designed to minimize
integration costs into new boat models. |
The main competitor to the Cummins Zeus Pod Drives are the Volvo IPS Pod Drives. This link takes you to a great comparison of the two products and why Mikelson chose Zeus over IPS:
For fast assistance, please give us a call at (619) 222-5007 or click the button below.
Mikelson Yachts proudly builds and sells Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Arizona, California, Southern California, Catalina, Cabo San Lucas, Las Vegas and equipped with the .
