Testimonials
For the past 20 years, Seafury has developed and manufactured state-of-the-art Surface Drive Propulsion Systems for higher speed vessels. Our company is renowned for supplying robust, reliable and top-performing drives. The drive units high standard of manufacture coupled with simple design provides a low maintenance surface propulsion system.
Renowned and proven, Seafury Surface Drives are used by hundreds of high-speed government, commercial, military and pleasure vessels worldwide. Available in a variety of sizes to suit most applications, Seafury can tailor a package to suit each projects needs.
Perantas
Customs Vessel – 50+ knots
“Malaysian Customs have been running Seafury since 2000 at speeds in excess of 50 knots with great success.
To use the words of their Service Support Division – ‘They are a very simple, robust and efficient drive system’, which we are happy to say exceeded the contractual speed requirements as specified by our department.
Low maintenance and reliability of the Seafury Drives were major considerations when selecting our propulsion system.
The ability of the vessels to achieve high speeds with good maneuverability and to operate in shallow water were all considered critical. ‘Having operated Seafury for a number of years we are happy with the performance.’ – that happy that they ordered another 10 Seafury SF30 units and have a 75 knot (140km/h) vessel on the drawing board.”
FLEET ENGINEER DIVISION
Service Support and Marine Branch
Malaysian Customs Authority
Pure Adrenalin
Luxury Charter Vessel
“I have been operating Pure Adrenalin for over 3 years and have found the manoeuvrability of the vessel from the thrust given from these drives excellent. The thrust given at both forward and astern at idle is suitable for any manoeuvring and in and out of berth. Enough thrust is given when parking astern from one side (in up to moderate conditions) to prevent from having to use bow thrusters or the opposing motor to screw the vessel.
She can reach speeds up to 26.5 knots at 2300 rpm using 350 litres/hour total and cruises at 21 knots using approximately 250 litres/hour and for a 27m catamaran we are very happy with its performance.
When the vessel is both in and out of the water, the drive units and propellors are very accessible clean, inspect and maintain.”
And further to the performance of Seafury Surface Drives maneuverability, Brett writes in an email dated 24th August 2007…
“We had a charter last night with rain squalls and wind gusts up to 48 knots. Had to berth PA in 38 knots at Marina Mirage in a very tight berth, with 50 guests onboard all eyes watching and comments of, ‘They’ll never park it in there’, and with another vessel beside us no further away than 3 feet. Another confident manoeuvre and again a tribute to the astern propulsion from the drives.”
BRETT LAKEY
Skipper
Gold Coast, Australia
Mack Attack
Tourist Vessel
“When I purchased Mack Attack in 1999, it had been fitted with SF Surface Drives from it’s launching in 1997. I have been running a tourist adventure business 335 days a year since then.
Our vessel is 11.6 metres long, 12 tonnes, with 580hp Volvo’s per side and operates at 40 knots with the ability to do up to 50 knots fully loaded with 30 passengers.
I am so impressed with the SF Drives, - over 300 000 nautical miles with nothing but cutlass bearings and steering bushes to maintain, - phenomenal.
The advice, technical support and service received from the Seafury Team during construction and following her launch has been second to none.”
TUCKER WILLIAMS
Owner/Operator, New Zealand
Marjorie B
Passenger Vessel
“Aluminium Marine P/L build high performance vessels up to 35 metres.
We recently fitted 2 x SF36 Drives to a 24 metre Aluminium Catamaran powered by 980hp MTU engines.
Normally we achieve 27 – 28 knots with conventional drives but were very pleased to achieve speeds in excess of 32 knots on our sea trials when using the Seafury Drives.
The installation of the Seafury Drives saved us time during the build program as the Seafury Drives come complete including housing, shaft, propeller, exhaust outlet and steering. “We just had to bolt it on.”
STEVE CORDINGLEY
Builder: Aluminium Marine
Australia
Patrol One
“I recently completed some proving runs on the Craig Loomes designed 23m wavepiercer tri-maran built by Diogene Marine in Mauritius.
“I was one of three New Zealand boat builders involved in a training and supervisory role in the construction of this innovative new boat. Our first passage involved a 260 nautical mile journey in open ocean between the islands of Mauritius and St Brandon and we left with the boat fully loaded with fuel, water, provisions and crew.
The vessel averaged 20 knots in sea conditions that varied between 2 and 3.5m. Testimony to the boat’s ride qualities is the fact that apart from the on watch crew, all passengers slept comfortably, despite the boat maintaining a relatively high speed in moderate seas.
The Seafury surface drives performed perfectly, propelling the boat to a sprint speed of over 30 knots, but also allowing slower passage making speeds of just 15 knots when required.
Manoeuvrability is excellent – the autopilot handles the helming duties at speed in the rough without problem and although one of the negatives often attributed to surface drives is poor backing performance, reversing of the boat is good – as would be expected of a shaft driven boat.”
MIKE WATSON
Boat Builder
New Zealand
Police Vessel 022
Police Vessel
“Indonesian Police commissioned GreenBay Marine in 2001 to design and build 3 high-performance law enforcement vessels. We chose the Seafury Drives for their strong build and low maintenance. The other main factor is that they produce more vessel speed using smaller engines.
Since the first order 5 years ago our client has ordered a further 4 vessels specifying in each case the Seafury Surface Drive system with 40+ knot speed application.
“Without reservation nor qualification, I can say that Seafury International can be proud - both of it’s product and their standard of workmanship.” I have no hesitation in recommending Seafury International of New Zealand to any one who intends to place an order for the propulsion package.”
RAYMOND TOH
Designer/Boat Builder
Singapore
Robert Henry
Passenger Ferry
“Six years ago ‘Cougar Cat” on the Gold Coast, Queensland, constructed a 12 metre Power Catamaran to suit our requirements for operation in the Torres Strait.
In order to travel in the range from 22 to 25 knots, loaded, we specified Cummins C Series motors (450hp), Twin Disc Gearboxes and Seafury Surface Drives.
The SF26 Seafury Drives enabled the 12 tonne Robert Henry to get out of the hole and onto the plane easier and faster than any other drive system we have experienced on our previous vessels.
We now have 7000 hours on the machinery and only have had to change the SF26 drive bushes and seals every 2500 hours. They have provided smooth, economical operation with the added benefit of reduced engine noise as the exhausts vent underwater directly in front of the propellers.
We are planning to acquire another new vessel in the next 2 years and we will certainly be utilizing Seafury Surface Drives.”
SANDIE AND GREG EDWARDS
Owner/Operator
Australia
Pure Adrenalin
Luxury Charter Vessel
“As a marine performance consultant this product from Seafury has helped and made the final ingredient in many situations of non-performing vessels.
Seafury has literally turned vessels around both on the drawing board and those that have not performed after launch. Over the years we have fitted Seafury in vessels replacing water jets, conventional drives and stern legs. In each case the respective vessels have had performance increases of between 30 and 60%.
The 45 ° transom is awesome in so far as the vessels reverse very easily – ‘it’s like a dream come true’.
In a following sea the vessel is in total control with Seafury’s trailing rudders. In 2003 we delivered a 26 metre vessel to New Zealand for the America’s Cup Syndicate Alinghi, the water jets were removed and replaced with SF36 drives, the same hp was retained (900hp) per side, some hulls modifications were undertaken, t vessel went from 11 knots to 27 knots at 64 tonnes!
I hope my experienced input will assist vessel owners and designers to make the right drive line decision when performance, passage making and shallow draft are required. Seafury will meet all the criteria.”
DAVE JOHNS
Drive Line and Propulsion Consultant
New Zealand