Page 40: of Marine News Magazine (July 2020)

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PROPULSION TECHNOLOGY

Metal Shark

Konrad-driven

By Eric Haun onrad Marine has launched several iterations of its 680B, each available in ?ve gear rations, and each manufac- signature sterndrive since unveiling its ?rst units in tured at Konrad’s headquarters in Hudson, Wis. The baseline the 1990s. Konrad’s latest lineup, the 600B series, single-propeller option within the series is the 620B, con-

K was rolled out in 2014, with the ?rst drives deliv- sidered the robust workhorse of the lineup, with a diameter ered to customers at the start of 2015 and strong market up- range of 17.25”-20” and right- or left-hand rotation. Both the take ever since. Featuring the larger gears ?rst introduced in 660B and 680B are dual counter-rotating propeller offerings. its 600 series, Konrad’s 600B drives also include a new larger The 660B, used for higher speed, lighter applications (25’-30’ transom with integrated steering. vessels seeking speeds up to 60 knots), has a propeller diam- “The biggest change when we developed the 600B series eter range of 13.25”-16”, while the 680B, used for heavier ap- drive was our heavy-duty transom assembly,” says Fred Spar- plications, with carry capacities up 18,500 pounds per drive, ling, senior application engineer. “Our original 500/600 series has a propeller diameter range of 15”-18.5”.

drives used a traditional tiller arm steering arrangement which The 600B series drives are used in many sectors of the ma- was commonly connected to an internal hydraulic cylinder. rine market, from ?reboats and high-speed interceptors to

The new 600B series drives no longer have tiller arm steering yacht tenders and commercial ?shing boats, and have even but now include integrated trim and steering cylinders on the been deployed in several autonomous applications for the transom assembly. U.S. Navy, says Josh Schroetter, a Konrad sales representative.

“The new 600B series also introduced our advanced tech- Schroetter shared with Marine News details on various re- nology in our trim/rudder feedback circuit which is con- cent delivery scopes, from assorted fast patrol craft to a 70- nected via CAN bus to a newly designed digital display,” ton workboat. The reference list highlights not only the range

Sparling adds. of vessel types/applications, but also the diversity of engines

The 600B series consists of three drives: 620B, 660B and Konrad’s sterndrives can mate with.

July 2020 40 MN