Golden Arrow Marine, European distributors of the revolutionary Caudwell Axis Drive, is launching the new system at the London International Boat Show.

The remarkable Caudwell Axis Drive was developed in South Africa over a seven year programme to achieve a more effective option to stern drives and outboards. The larger and heavier stern drives systems rely on a universal joint that can be noisy, unreliable, and prone to corrosion and handling difficulties. Outboards eliminate some of these problems but create others, such as top-heaviness and being more vulnerable to damage due to being hung from the boat's transom.

The Axis Drive is designed to pass through the boat's transom close to the waterline, freeing up internal space without protruding excessively or raising the boat's centre of gravity. A patented mid-section gearbox enables the drive to move in "yaw" (steering left or right) and in "pitch" (trim and tilt) without requiring a universal joint, or having to move the engine as with outboards.

The cooling system is closed, with no salt water entering the engine while the entire drive is constructed from surgical stainless steel, reducing friction and making it virtually corrosion-proof.

In addition to reduced emissions, improved drive efficiency and lower fuel consumption than the equivalent stern drives or outboards, the geometry of the new system allows for a trim down component during turns which, coupled with hydraulic power steering, improves handling and safety significantly.

Both engine and drive function are linked electronically to an advanced drive control unit that monitors performance and makes automatic adjustments to ensure maximum efficiency.

The current range offers 250 and 300 hp V6 petrol engines and a V8 350 hp petrol engine. Diesel versions are also under development for the future. The company has such faith in the Axis Drive system that if the unit suffers a breakdown not caused by the operator's negligence and cannot be repaired within twenty four hours of breakdown, Caudwell Marine will replace the entire unit with a brand new one anywhere within 48 hours, free of charge.

Golden Arrow Marine is exhibiting the Caudwell Axis Drive on stand S9C at this year’s show. For further information contact +44 (0)1202 709 971 or visit www.caudwellmarine.com.