The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) presented an Innovation Award to Volvo Penta for its new Forward Drive (FWD) propulsion system in the Alternate Drive Technology category at the 2015 Miami International Boat Show today. The winners were selected by an independent panel of boating journalists, and the awards were presented at this morning’s Industry Breakfast at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“Winning this prestigious NMMA Innovation Award is a great testimony to the passion for innovation that drives our Volvo Penta team,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. “It’s the latest breakthrough technology to join Volvo Penta’s impressive list of boating industry firsts, including Aquamatic sterndrives in 1959, DuoProps in 1982, IPS in 2005, joystick controls in 2006 and the Glass Cockpit in 2013.”
Volvo Penta’s patented FWD system introduces a revolutionary new concept in marine propulsion, featuring forward-facing dual counter-rotating props with an adjustable-trim drive. This patented innovative design pulls the boat through the water rather than pushing. It opens the way for boatbuilders to create new models of boats optimized for recreational water sports such as wakesurfing and wakeboarding, as well as swimming, diving and fishing behind the boat.
“FWD is a part of our ‘Easy Boating’ initiative,” said Huibers. “Our goal at Volvo Penta is to make it easier for families to have more fun on the water. We believe this exciting new technology will help attract more people into boating and water sports.”