Volvo IPS - The Hull Truth

Buck Wild · 01-14-2005, 06:37 PM

Just got wind of this from a friend of mine. Sounds really cool and perhaps the future of marine propulsion.

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/200...42mbynews.html

http://www.volvo.com/group/global/en-gb#

Tuna Man · 01-14-2005, 11:49 PM

Read about it in Boating Magazine last night (January 2005 issue). A little early to tell but Volvo is certainly hyping it up. According to Volvo, they are for twin setups only and allegedly reduce fuel consumption by 35 percent. They also state that the only working boat in the U.S.A. will be at the Miami show next month.

Not sure if the link will work, but give it a try if your interested.

boatingmag.com

djcxxx · 01-15-2005, 10:10 AM

Tiara will have the 4000 Sovran at the Miami show which is their hull designed for the IPS drive. There are clearly performance advantages of the IPS over straight inboard. My only caveat regards long haul durability and servicability of these drives in what will likely remain a relatively small market. Commercial vessels with similar drives are given more maintenance and attention (i.e. cash) and I do not believe that comparing this application with pleasure craft is appropriate. Yes, I'm a retrograde skeptic, and I'll let the other guy do the beta testing for Volvo. The Tiara 4000 Sovran/IPS will list for over $500K. If the "buzz" about the IPS isn't so good in 1-2 years, do you want to be the owner wanting to sell/trade?

Buck Wild · 01-16-2005, 05:10 PM

I agree 100% with your statement and I too would not be the first to buy this, but I am very interested to see how it works out. If it can live up to Volvo's claims then it will change the boating industry. For the most part the engines push the price of these larger boats off the charts and to be able to use a smaller motor and get the same speeds and better mpg...well lets just say it will allow a lot of people to setup up to that larger boat including myself.

I also think you will see some additional competition to push this along if it does in fact prove itself.

It does have a very odd look.

alanw · 01-16-2005, 05:13 PM

Saw the brief write up in SWS magazine this week.
Very interesting.

Chuck Bates · 01-21-2005, 09:14 PM

It's a corporate one, but this site has some interesting comments/sights:

http://ips.volvo.com/volvopentaips/

Kid Stuff · 01-21-2005, 09:24 PM

I would be worried about underwater impact with a rig like that.

Harry Brosofsky · 01-21-2005, 09:35 PM

The unit is designed to shear off and self seal if it hits something really big.

Harry

SeaMachines · 01-21-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Kid Stuff - 1/21/2005 8:24 PM

I would be worried about underwater impact with a rig like that.

That is one big "O" ring and alot of moving parts.

There is one of these drives at a dealer/broker in the St. Pete area. The are performing, however difficult on the trailer and so far are having a real hard time with debris. In the Gulf there is an endless amount of crab pots and this drive (being a puller prop with no protection) has a difficult time avoiding them. I like the clean water prop concept and remain curious as to the development.

TerpHeels · 01-25-2005, 02:22 PM

You know we sit here and think it's a pipe dream but the duo-prop was the standard and has proven highly reliable in the i/o setting. Remember, you're replacing the transmission on a standard inboard so there may not be many more parts other than the lower unit gears. Based upon the drive angle versus a standard inboard this looks like a big time idea. I'm wondering why they just didn't use rudders and keep the drive static? I'm sure they experimented both ways. Get ready cuz here they come!