ZF Debuts Pod Drive System

Propulsion system manufacturer ZF Marine introduced a pod-drive system for larger boats.

The 4600 POD is designed for boats with planing or semidisplacement hulls from 80 to 130 feet, ZF said in a statement. The company added that the system is compatible with all main OEM engines up to 1,700 hp at a maximum of 2,450 rpm.

“We know that shipbuilders around the world count on ZF to bring power, performance and reliability to an expanding variety of vessels,” Federico Decio, managing director of ZF and head of the pleasure craft product line, said in the statement. “And that’s exactly what we accomplished with the 4600 POD propulsion system for larger craft.”

The system was first installed in an Azimut 26-meter motoryacht and was introduced to the global market at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The 4600 POD can be configured in twin installations for boats from 80 to 100 feet and triples for yachts to 130 feet. ZF said the hydrodynamic design of the gearcase and the contra-rotating propellers are optimized for top speeds between 20 and 32 knots.