Power & Technology
A new outboard package from Volvo Penta and Seven Marine shines aboard the Tiara Sport 38 LS.
A new outboard package from Volvo Penta and Seven Marine signals the shape of boating to come on the Tiara Sport 38 LS.
Anew outboard package on the Tiara Sport 38 LS from Volvo Penta and Seven Marine (Volvo Penta acquired Seven in 2017) earned the Swedish engine manufacturer a coveted Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association at February’s Miami International Boat Show.
Volvo Penta and Tiara 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,” Ron Huibers, president and CEO of Volvo Penta said. The Holland, Michigan-based builder is the first to bring to market what Huibers called, “A totally integrated helm-to-prop boat” that merges Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) with Seven Marine’s fire-breathing outboards.
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 527hp 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 complete the package, delivering inboard-level torque via Seven’s high-horsepower engines.
I was fortunate to be the first marine journalist aboard the 38 LS to sea trial the new propulsion suite. On a rainy, windswept day prior to the Miami show I met Tiara’s reps along with Seven Marine’s Vice President Brian Davis and Account Manager Robbie Massengill as well as Volvo Penta Vice President of Marine Sales Jens Bering.
As we idled to the testing grounds, Bering spoke at length on how the DuoProp—including more blade area, he said, than any other outboard product on the marine market today—and other EVC features have made this a highly desirable package. “The bigger blades can handle the torque,” he said. Bering further emphasized the importance of the joystick driving experience which facilitates vessel control at speed via a joystick, mounted to the armrest on the 38’s 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. Davis elaborated: “Our mission is to improve and revolutionize the outboard experience. With Volvo Penta, we’re able to optimize the experience without compromising highspeed performance. They’re the perfect technology partner.”
After a demo of the system, I settled into the helm chair, joystick in my right hand. In confused, 2- to 4-foot seas, I used the binnacles to bring the 38 onto plane and then backed down the throttles so the boat rode comfortably at 14.5 knots at 2600 rpm, an impressive feat for an outboard-powered vessel considering the conditions. “You can immediately feel the difference with acceleration and lowspeed planing,” said Bering.
I spent the next hour running the 38 at all speeds, using only the throttles to adjust the mains’ rpm. I found the joystick piloting and autopilot integration to be intuitive; a novice would be able to pick this up in no time. While I didn’t run her wide open in the deteriorating conditions, Davis says she’ll top out at 49 knots with improved fuel burn throughout the rpm range.
Upon our return to the Coconut Grove marina, the 38 easily spun 180 degrees and into her slip side-to between two other vessels, thanks to the big bite of the DuoProps matched with seamless joystick control. When I took a minute to get my bearings and released the joystick, the dynamic positioning kicked in and anchored us to the spot.
Even with its extensive line of powerplants, 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. When I asked the team at Seven and Volvo Penta if they expected to expand this option to its line of outboards, they assured me we’d be seeing more innovation coming from the group in the near future.
At press time, the price of the optional Volvo Penta/Seven Marine Integrated Outboard System is not available.