Boats have transported people and goods since man first started exploring his environment. Safety, reliability and efficiency have been steadily improved – especially since the invention of propulsion systems. ZF Marine, a leading supplier of marine propulsion systems for all types of vessels, is committed to continuous development using advanced technology and high quality standards.
Products
Transmissions
ZF Marine transmissions cover a power range from 10 to 14,000 kW and are available in many configurations to suit all types of vessels and machinery arrangements. Small, mechanically operated transmissions are typically fitted in sailboats and small craft. A wide range of compact, hydraulically operated transmissions, including 2-Speed versions, are suitable for pleasure craft and other fast vessels. with larger models being specially designed for defence craft and high-speed ferries. For commercial, ocean-going vessels such as freighters and tankers, heavy-duty transmissions with various PTOs and PTIs can be chosen to match medium-speed diesel engines.
Controls
ZF Marine’s propulsion control systems are at the leading edge of electronics technology. The products incorporate well-proven hardware and software to ensure reliability, easy operation and maintenance. A wide range of systems means optimum equipment can be chosen to specifically match the type of vessel or application – single engine, multi-engine or multi-station.
Propellers
ZF Marine offers a full range of controllable pitch propellers up to a diameter of 6 meters for commercial application and high quality, fixed pitch propellers up to 1,5 meters for pleasure / fast craft application. Each propeller is custom-designed to match the characteristics of the respective vessel and its engines. Various blade section profiles are available for attaining optimum efficiency and performance.
Bow Thrusters
The new line of electric bow thrusters for yachts from ZF with counter-rotating propellers provide up to 20% more thrust. The patented tunnel design minimizes cavitation, resulting in a noise reduction of up to 10 db(A). Powered by electronically controlled AC motors, these bow thrusters are suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Shaftline Systems
ZF Marine supplies complete shaftline systems including transmissions, propellers, shafts, stuffing boxes, struts and rudders as well as electronic control systems. If necessary, the components can be customized to meet the requirements of the ship designer, engine supplier or end-user. Meeting the highest quality standards as specified for all ZF Marine products, the customer receives the optimum system, fully integrated, from a single source.
POD Drives
ZF Marine’s efficient and compact POD-drives provide unparalleled maneuverability, safety and ease of control. Reliable, smooth, hydraulic power steers the pods and actuates the integrated trim-tabs, which automatically adjust to any situation, guaranteeing optimum performance, comfort and security. Boat owners can experience fuel savings (up to 30%), faster cruising speeds (up to 15%) and higher top speeds (up to 15%), compared to traditional shaftline propulsion systems.
Surface Drives
Advanced surface-drive systems from ZF Marine ensure unprecedented reliability and ease of maintenance over the lifetime of the boat, no matter what application. The SeaRex drive concept is designed to perfectly match modern, high-output engines, incorporating a robust and compact hydraulic steering and trim system, The MiniRex series is a reliable, modern product range within the reach of the average boat owner who wants an excellent surface-drive for pleasure or sport usage to give his boat great performance, maneuverability, fuel-saving efficiency and environmental friendliness!
Sail Drive
The SailDrive is a propulsion system for sailboats, for which ZF can claim a profound application experience. The system allows to position the engine to be installed facing the bow or facing the stern) thus reducing considerably vibrations and noise on board, compared to a traditional shaft line system. The ZF SailDrive can be matched with a large range of fixed or foldable propellers, able to propel the vessel powerfully both in forward and reverse gear.
Propulsion Packages
Experience is what counts in a harsh, unforgiving marine environment. For over 50 years ZF Marine has supplied products to withstand such elements and has built up a reputation for high quality, high performance transmissions, ideally suited for application in all types of vessels. Over the years, ZF Marine has expanded its product portfolio and can nowadays provide complete, turnkey packages especially for commercial vessels driven by medium-speed Diesel engines.
Azimuth Thrusters
The wide range of steerablea azimuth thrusters, which include well-mounted thrusters, retractable thrusters and deck-mounted thrusters available in fixed pitch, CP and CRP versions for power up to 2,700 kW.
Tunnel Thrusters
These auxiliary propulsion units increase considerably the vessels maneuverbility, in particular combined with traditional shaftline propulsion systems.
A special version of this thruster system is suspend in a rubber sealing. This reduces “structure borne noise” significantly and makes it possible to remove the thruster easily from the vessel for maintenance.
Shallow Draft Thrusters
Compact thruster system design, which allows 360° steering with water intake and nozzle within one circle. This thruster with particular high thrust for installed power is available in combination with the ourrange of steerable thrusters and tunnel thrusters.
