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I am familiar with this style of propulsor. There are some advantages to shedding all that old inboard support structure, that is a big resistance maker and a rudder is poor at low speeds and terrible in reverse. Moreover you direct the thrust in the fwd direction instead of along a shaft at an incline. Clean water (props first) get you less vibration and a couple points on the eff curve.
Yeah impact is an issue but it is a small for the intended consumer. The initial runs show some benifit but wait till you see when they actually start designing hulls specifically for this (not just retrofitting inboards) AND get the props tuned just right.
IMO this will start getting really noticed when gas hits 3 bucks/gal this summer.
Eventually, I expect to see a nozzle or duct house the props and the props re-desinged again for a nozzle. The entire thing will rotate. This will get a few more eff points and not add as much resistance as you think, while providing the protection you are looking for.
*****FINALLY****** decent technology is trickling its way down to the consumer boat market.
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