WINTER EDITION ENGINE ROOM 13 Streamlined, highly efficient and fully integrated to the Cat® C8.7 marine engine, the twin Disc® QuickShift™ technology ensures smoother shifting and engagement during docking and manoeuvring. Martin Ditchburn, EPSA’s Industrial and Marine Retail Segment Manager, says it is “designed for the Cat® C8.7 electronically-controlled marine propulsion engine and provides unrivalled response and performance for 35–60 yachts.” “It’s intuitive control system can be configured with up to three lever-head, button-panel and steering-helm stations and up to six joystick stations. There is also an option for Palm Beach control stations in addition to the standard Three60 Hold. And setting a new standard for transmission performance, the innovative Twin Disc® QuickShift™ technology makes shifting in any direction (including from forward to reverse) completely seamless”. While a traditional propulsion system is made up of all individual components – engine, transmission, shaft, propellers SMOOTH OPERATOR EPSA BRINGS CAT’S® INNOVATIVE, INTEGRATED THREE60 POD 650 TRANSMISSION SYSTEM TO AUSTRALIA and rudder – pod technology combines the transmission, propellers and rudder into a single component that takes up a smaller footprint. That means a smaller and cleaner engine room and more space on board. “Some thrust gets wasted due to the angle of the shaft in traditional propulsion but that doesn’t happen with pod technology,” says Martin. “Because the thrust is horizontal, 100 per cent of it goes toward moving your yacht forward. It takes less horsepower and less fuel to get up to speed. With pod technology, you control it all with a single joystick. Just push, twist and go. Pod solutions also offer a ‘station-keeping’ feature so all you need to do is hit a button to maintain your GPS position.” More compact, faster and simpler to operate, the Cat® Three60 Precision Control is designed for use with Cat® electronically-controlled marine propulsion engines, combining thrusters and conventional propeller drives in one system. It revolutionises docking and slow speed manoeuvring for diesel-powered, conventional driveline vessels; simultaneously actuates and controls engines, transmissions, and thrusters with intuitive, easy fingertip movements. Hydraulic thrusters will not time out, a benefit over electrical thrusters. Propeller control goes down to 50 rpm. Industry-leading technology results in the most reliable commercial engines for a variety of applications. From tugs and container vessels to yachts and sport fishers, Cat® marine engines have demonstrated their efficiency countless times. With remarkable reliability and durability, these are the engines proudly distributed by EPSA in Australia PNG and the Solomon Islands. The new simple and precise Cat® Three60 Pod 650 transmission system has hit Australia’s shores – exclusively to EPSA. It is the largest and most innovative propeller in its class; delivering better performance and fuel economy. This 360-degree pod propulsion control, with power to spare, is now the technology of choice for Australia’s yachting industry. PRECISE CONTROL AT SLOW SPEEDS, WHILE ADDING POWER, EITHER ALL AT ONCE OR INCREMENTALLY. IT IS ALWAYS UNBELIEVABLY SMOOTH WITH NO DRIVELINE SHOCK. Martin Ditchburn, Industrial and Marine Retail Segment Manager