Volvo Penta IPS: a trailblazing journey

Volvo Penta IPS began as an interesting invention but quickly turned into a product that revolutionized leisure boating — forever. Now, 10 years on, #volvopenta IPS is available for almost any boat of any size and is still considered unique, offering comfort, performance and maneuverability currently unmatched by other systems. It is being celebrated at this year’s Southampton #boatshow, September 11 to 20.

In 2005 #volvopenta made the impossible possible when it released its Inboard Performance System (IPS). To date, 540 boat builders have collectively used over 17,000 #volvopenta IPS units to create around 1,100 boat models. Thousands of customers the world over are now enjoying the unique benefits of #volvopenta IPS, which include extra onboard space and reduced noise and vibration levels.

“Every year, new customers are being converted to ‘pod thinking’,” says Johan Wästeräng, vice president of product management at #volvopenta. “Shaft drives work well, but #volvopenta IPS is in a league of its own. Ease of use, additional onboard space and the product’s excellent track record are all reasons why more and more customers are using our Inboard Performance System.”

Changing boating forever

As soon as #volvopenta IPS was launched, the benefits of forward-facing, twin counter-rotating propellers became apparent — handling, onboard comfort and performance were all improved compared to traditional inboard shafts. The propulsion efficiency of #volvopenta IPS was enhanced by 35% during middle and top speeds (above 35 knots).

“Volvo Penta IPS really shook things up in the marine industry,” Wästeräng notes. “It moved the goal posts and made us think, ‘If we can do this, what other impossibilities can we make possible?’.”

The increased efficiency resulted in several other improvements that defined the launch of #volvopenta IPS, including 30% lower fuel consumption. And, because of the position of the engine and transmission, there was often extra room in the hull for an additional cabin.

The new system’s improved efficiency also resulted in 20% higher top speeds. Reaching this level was previously very costly for a boat builder but, thanks to #volvopenta, it was suddenly viable. Steering became more responsive, allowing for precise maneuverability, which was later enhanced by the introduction of joystick docking in 2006. Lower noise and vibration levels — facilitated by therubber suspension — ensured a more comfortable ride.

Where it all began

“Volvo Penta’s journey to innovation began long before #volvopenta IPS. We’re known in the marine industry for our innovativeness, thanks to releases like Aquamatic, Duoprop and the Saildrive,” explains Wästeräng. “Volvo Penta’s company ethos encourages exploration. We live like our customers — at one with water. We play with ideas until we happen upon something extraordinary; management understands that innovation is an organic process that takes time and patience. These are the secrets to our success.”

In the 1990s, the marine industry was facing a problem: boat builders were creating products that would offer their customers more inboard space, and they demanded an engine that would help these bigger boats reach higher speeds. To achieve higher speeds in a boat equipped with an inboard shaft, more power was required. More power could only be achieved by installing a bigger engine, but a bigger engine weighed more and would counteract any additional power created. To solve this catch-22 situation, #volvopenta tested a large sterndrive, which it designed for use in bigger yachts. 

“We realized that a bigger sterndrive option would face resistance in the market,” notes Wästeräng. “Sterndrives are seen as an option for boats, not big yachts, so instead we started looking into pod propulsion — we wanted to offer all the sterndrive Duoprop advantages to yacht owners.”

Design, development and testing began on the original #volvopenta IPS prototype in 1997. While early models had fantastic acceleration and achieved impressive top speeds, they were not steerable — when the steering wheel was turned, the boat didn’t followcorrectly and responsiveness was low. 

Testing continued and soon several early generations of a hydraulically-steered pod system were created. However, following on from an incident with a broken hydraulic component, #volvopenta swapped the unit’s hydraulic steering for an independent, electrically-steered unit. It was the first time in history that a boat was run without a mechanical, hydraulic connection between the steering wheel and the unit. This became an early version of the #volvopenta IPS unit still used today. 

“Discovering that this worked was a complete breakthrough and totally revolutionary for our industry,” Wästeräng adds. “After much testing and other safety checks, the very first #volvopenta IPS model was launched at the 2005 London #boatshow.”

Back to the future

Since then, many new features have been added to ensure the system stays modern and innovative. Nowadays, many boat builders choose #volvopenta IPS because of its cutting-edge accessories and Electrical Vessel Control options (EVC), which include joystick docking and driving, dynamic positioning, integrated autopilot, interceptor technology and Glass Cockpit.  

With three different pod sizes available for twin, triple and quadruple installations, #volvopenta is the only engine builder to offer a complete family of pod sizes for any boat measuring between 35 ft and 100 ft. Semi-displacement models are also available for boats that run at lower speeds. #volvopenta IPS is becoming an increasingly popular option in the yacht segment as new customers realize that no other system offers the outstanding efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, higher top speeds, faster acceleration, excellent maneuverability, direct response, lower noise levels and reduced vibration now associated with #volvopenta IPS. 

“Turning the propellers around, no one could have predicted that the world of boating would change forever,” Wästeräng concludes. “The evolution of #volvopenta IPS didn’t stop when we released the first model in 2005. In fact, that was just the beginning of the journey. Over the last 10 years we’ve reinvigorated the marine industry with #volvopenta IPS — who knows where it will take us next.”

To find out more about this revolutionary innovation, visit Volvo Penta’s stand at the Southampton #boatshow (E048), where the IPS1 and IPS3 will be on display, along with a variety of sailboat engines and gasoline and diesel inboard engines. Several of Volvo Penta’s customers will also be displaying boats equipped with #volvopenta IPS on their stands; these include the Princess V48 and the Fairline Targa 48 Open.