Volvo Penta’s DuoProp and Electronic Vessel Control system merges with Seven Marine’s powerful outboards
In an announcement today at their press event at the Miami International Boat Show, Tiara Sport revealed a new outboard package option on their 38 LS from Volvo Penta and Seven Marine (Volvo Penta acquired Seven Marine in 2017). Tiara is the first builder to bring to market what Ron Huibers, president and CEO of Volvo Penta called, “A totally integrated helm-to-prop boat,” that merges Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) with the high-horsepower outboards from Seven Marine.
The Swedish engine manufacturer and Holland, Michigan-based builder are longtime partners: It was well over a decade ago when a Tiara 38 became the first vessel to be outfitted with IPS technology. “We were excited to work with Tiara, an original partner of IPS,” Huibers said.
Volvo Penta’s acquisition of Seven Marine gave them a suite of powerplants to not only reach the outboard market but also inject their technology into the ever-growing segment. “[Tiara CEO and President] Tom Slikkers challenged us to deliver the inboard experience on an outboard boat,” said Huibers. “The innovation is in the integrated package.”
To that end, the 38 LS features a pair of Seven Marine’s fire-breathing, 527-hp outboards matched to Volvo Penta’s comprehensive EVC including both joystick docking and driving, autopilot integration, a Glass Cockpit helm station and dynamic positioning. Volvo Penta DuoProps completes the package, delivering inboard-style torque to the water from Seven high-horsepower engines.
Jens Bering, Volvo Penta vice president of marine sales, spoke about how the DuoProp—with more blade area, he said, than any other outboard product on the marine market today—and other EVC features have made this a desirable package. “You can immediately feel the difference with acceleration and low-speed planing. The bigger blades can handle the torque.” Bering further emphasized the importance of the joystick driving experience which facilitates armchair-like vessel control at speed via a joystick, typically mounted in the armrest of the helm seat.
The team at Seven Marine sees the integrated system as a way to continue its modus operandi: moving big, heavy boats with more speed and efficiency. Vice President of Seven Marine Brian Davis elaborated: “Our mission is to improve and revolutionize the outboard experience. With Volvo Penta, we’re able to optimize the experience without compromising high-speed performance. They’re the perfect technology partner.”
Davis said the 38 LS has shown herself to have more wide-ranging mobility at slower speeds—she gets on plane efficiently at 12 knots and 2400 rpm—with an improved fuel burn of 20 percent at that speed, 10 percent at cruise and 5 percent at high speeds. She’s said to top out at 49 knots.
Volvo Penta has no plans to move away from the GM 6.2L block that Seven Marine has been marinizing since its inception in 2010; Huibers praised the “automotive innovation” behind the engine’s success.
At this time, the price of the optional Volvo Penta/Seven Marine Integrated Outboard System is not available.
