[PCW] Volvo IPS

[Gary Stavrou]

How viable is the use of Volvo IPS units in a powercat? Given that  
the forward facing propellors would be protected behind the keels, it  
would appear that a common objection to the system, namely its  
vulnerability, is mitigated.
I'm very attracted to the control that the joystick affords,  
especially in purely sideways movement as in docking. I know that  
cats are by nature far more manoeuvrable than monohulls, but the IPS  
seems a step up again.

The systems at this point appears to be used principally on planing  
vessels. Perhaps the propellor configuration is not (yet) suitable  
for displacement hulls.

Gary Stavrou