Yellowfin

Siochair · 18 September 2009, 12:36

I've just heard that Yellowfin have gone into administration. Whilst I'm sorry for those that lost out in their involvement of trying to bring it to market I can only hope that who ever buys them out can make a go of it. It seemed a rather interesting alternative to what is currently available.

John Kennett · 18 September 2009, 13:33

I thought it had all gone a bit quiet. I wonder whether the problem was the technology or the money.

JSP · 18 September 2009, 13:42

Just done a quick google but there was too many results on too many different subjects for me to read through right now.
What is/was Yellowfin?

J S · 18 September 2009, 13:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSP

Just done a quick google but there was too many results on too many different subjects for me to read through right now.
What is/was Yellowfin?

A new type of propulsion system, basically a cross between a surface drive type arrangement and a stern drive but with variable pitch props. That claimed to give amazing maneuverability , fuel economy etc.

http://www.yellowfin.com/

James

JSP · 18 September 2009, 13:48

Looks really interesting, thanks J S. Maybe time to go to dragons den!

codprawn · 18 September 2009, 15:10

I guessed this would happen. Smelt a bit fishy for quite a while.

there is also a rival German system that looks pretty much indentical - trouble is it is almost impossible to defend a patent because there is very little really new out there.

Rogue Wave · 18 September 2009, 16:20

there was plenty of money there for a long time, they were quite lavishly appointed for many years. Big offices Superb Workshops luvvly tractor etc. An extremely lengthy proving programme. It's possible the backers pulled the plug

Trickdog · 18 September 2009, 16:23

I've just been watching the videos on the http://www.yellowfin.com/ site ...Amazing!

Siochair · 18 September 2009, 19:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I thought it had all gone a bit quiet. I wonder whether the problem was the technology or the money.

There is a snippet on the MBM site that hints that money (or lack of it) was the down fall. I always wondered why they did not try and court the bigger players to buy in. Such a pity as it seemed a rather splendid system. I think the next new drive to the market will be from Cauldwell. It looks much more conventional than the Yellowfin system but still seems a nice design all the same.

benc · 21 September 2009, 15:49

Just found this

http://www.ibinews.com/ibinews/newsd...19ibinews.html

navigate_us · 24 September 2009, 19:08

In a market where £100's m of pounds are (were) spent on drive development, such as the Volvo IPS, Yellowfin's investment as described by IBI 'ploughed £13m into the development of the drive system' is just not enough. I have been on their test boat and it was very impressive, sad to see it stall.

codprawn · 24 September 2009, 19:26

Not always the case - a small dedicated team CAN do things a hell of a lot cheaper than a big company with a huge R+D dept.

Throwing money at things doesn't always work - seen it on way too many IT projects. One we worked on was a classic example - 3 of us were doing better and more work than a PLC with 250 people on the project!!!

navigate_us · 25 September 2009, 08:08

I understand your point, but I think Yellowfins offering to the industry required large investment. In your exampe it would be like 3 excellent engineers developing a an operating system as opposed to an application.

Siochair · 25 September 2009, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by navigate_us

I understand your point, but I think Yellowfins offering to the industry required large investment. In your exampe it would be like 3 excellent engineers developing a an operating system as opposed to an application.

Whilst I agree that development can sometimes be rather deep money-pits Yellowfin certainly seemed well past the proof of concept stage and, according to the press blurb on their demise, alluded to having a third party ready to manufacture it. Unless there are some dark horror stories with the manufacturing process or the longevity of the drive then I think it will make a rather nice buy for some of the industry players. I know if I had the money I would certainly be interested in it. Objectively I thought it provides a rather elegant engineering solution to the problems with outdrives. Subjectively I thought it looked pretty darn cool