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→Non-Mechanical Drives
=== Hydraulic Z-Drive ===
A hydraulic Z-drive such as the Thrustmaster [37] <ref>Thrustmaster of Texas, Inc., http://www.thrustmastertexas.com/</ref> or Olympic [38] <ref>Summer Equipment, Olympic Steerable Drive, http://www.summerequipment.com/</ref> is the next step up from a V-drive. In this layout, the engine drives a hydraulic pump. This connects to a hydraulic shaft motor via hydraulic lines. The shaft motor turns the propeller shaft. Typically, the shaft and propeller are mounted so that the propeller can swivel through 360 degrees.
Thus, a Z-drive removes the need for stern thrusters. The engine does not have to be inline, and can be put anywhere convenient. Z-drives allow the engine room to be aft.