MIAMI 2015: VOLVO PENTA FORWARD DRIVE WINS INNOVATION AWARD

Making its debut, the new stern drive won the prestigious title at the Miami Boat Show

Volvo Penta‘s latest innovation is already being adopted by several boat manufacturers, such as Four Winns and Bryant, but the official public reveal took place yesterday in Miami where the company’s Forward Drive technology received a MIBS Innovation Award.

Aimed at the growing water sports market, the Volvo Penta FWD is a stern drive with forward-facing, counter-rotating dual props. The propellers are located well under the boat’s hull, which means that the innovative design pulls rather than pushes the boat through the water. It also means that the chances of a prop strike are greatly lowered in case of a fall – a fact that should appeal to wake surfers.

Wake surfers will also be pleased that the Forward Drive offers an adjustable-trim drive, so drivers can customize the wake, and all boat exhaust is expelled under the boat, eliminating the inhalation of fumes.

Another feature, the adjustable tilt, allows the boat to be trimmed for maximum fuel efficiency and cruising comfort. The forwards props also improve high speed turns, making the boat feel more like an inboard, while also offering better reverse thrust because of the uninterrupted flow of water over the blades

Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas, commented that the technology, “will help families unite like never before and get more people to enjoy the boating lifestyle.” We certainly look forward to seeing the technology’s implementation. It is scheduled to begin shipping in March 2015.