Any good marine products salesman will tell you that part of his or her job is to constantly educate the consumer. That's especially true when you've got something new to market.It was true when electronically controlled engines were unveiled, and when Z-drives were first introduced in the late '70s. "They were afraid," said David Santos with ZF Marine, Miramar, Fla. Boat operators had to first witness the maneuvering benefits of a Z-drive's 360° thrust over a conventional prop-and-rudder arrangement.The Z-drive has certainly proven itself in the tug market. This is especially true among harbor tug operators. "Pilots wanted our Z-drives on the tugs because they made them more controllable.
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