CONEXPO

1. Volvo Penta Marine Diesel Engines And The Aquamatic Solution During the early 1950's, a man named Jim Wynne began looking for ways that he could improve on the performance of the engines that boats were being fitted with. At the time, they only reached about 70 horsepower but they were just as heavy as the 150 horsepower engines in use today. Wynne knew that something had to change and, as a marine engineer, he thought that he was the one to do it. The end result was the Aquamatic sterndrive that Volvo Penta marine diesel engines are fitted with today. Wynne had come up with an idea - he wanted to combine the performance of inboard engines with the maneuverability of outboard ones. Unfortunately, no one really wanted a bar of it at the time, so he was forced to embark on the task of building his first prototype on his own. In the late 1950's, Wynne travelled to Europe in preparation for the world's first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean with an outboard engine. Whilst there, Wynne decided to present his idea to Harald Wiklund, the manager of Volvo Penta, where he was quickly signed. Work was quickly began on developing Wynne's prototype into a fully functioning Volvo Penta engine, and it was finally ready for testing late in the following year. The Aquamatic sterndrive was born and it immediately began taking over the boating world, one vessel at a time. Since its initial release in 1959, the Aquamatic has come a long way - advancements in technology have seen the addition of the Duoprop in 1982 (which increased the performance of the engine even further), and the joystick in 2009.

2. But what exactly makes the Aquamatic sterndrive so desirable to boating enthusiasts? Basically, it offers boaters a number of features that, combined, provide the optimal in driving experience, performance and comfort. It features: low fuel consumption, sporty performance (meaning that it is safe and responsive, yet completely safe), low carbon dioxide emissions, low noise and vibration levels, exceptional low-speed maneuverability, beach and shallow water tilt, a joystick and a Powertrim Assistant. Choosing an Aquamatic sterndrive for your Volvo Penta marine diesel engine is easier than ever, especially as they have been designed to comply with even the most stringent of environmental standards. Aquamatic engines range between 140 and 400 horsepower, ensuring the ultimate in sporty performance in boats that are between 20 and 45 feet long. For assistance in choosing the Aquamatic for your vessel, be sure to contact your local Volvo Penta dealer. CONEXPO