From that day forward, the two companies, Volvo Penta and Mercury, would compete for the sterndrive market share. The announcement by Volvo motivated Kiekhaefer to embrace the new sterndrive model, and so he asked Strang, who was still with Mercury, to develop a Mercury version of the sterndrive. One year later, Volvo Penta released the first sterndrive of its kind, the “Aquamatic,” at the New York Motor Boat Show.
He then sold the rights to - you guessed it - Volvo Penta. Rather than abandoning the idea again, Wynne left Mercury and filed a patent for the design after a falling out with Kiekhaefer.
The design resurfaced, and Strang and Wynne presented the plan to Kiekhaefer, but he rejected it. Stang was an engineer at the time and worked alongside Jim Wynne. Ten years later, in 1958, Strang was working for Mercury, while it was being led by its founder, Carl Kiekhaefer.
To use this new design in his boat racing, he had to get the American Power Boat Association (APBA) to recognize and approve it as an outboard motor. It consisted of a lightweight car engine and a lower outboard unit - what we know today as the modern sterndrive. At the time, he was an MIT engineering student who had a vision for a design that he thought could give him the power he needed. The inspiration for the modern sterndrive began in 1948 when a young man, Charlie Strang, wanted to beat the outboard speed record. These MerCruiser sterndrives are fitted with contra-rotating props. As a result, sales suffered, and it wasn’t until almost 30 years later that the modern sterndrive of today was created. Johnson Motor Company introduced the first sterndrive in 1930, but the initial design required most boats to be redesigned to accommodate the motor.
#Most reliable inboard boat engine how to
That’s why we’re delving into their history, as well as similarities and differences between these two sterndrive brands, plus giving you some factors to consider as you decide how to choose between a MerCruiser and a Volvo. The competition between these two companies is nothing new - they have been competing for the sterndrive market share since the modern sterndrive was introduced. You may be wondering - which is better, Mercury MerCruiser or Volvo Penta? Or, what’s the difference between Volvo Penta and Mercury MerCruiser? If you’re interested in purchasing a new boat powered by a sterndrive motor, there’s a good chance it’s going to be either a Volvo Penta or Mercury® MerCruiser®. Get the lowdown on what’s available and make an informed decision. But how do you choose? Formula Boats put together a buyer’s guide to help its customers to choose the right sterndrive setup for their needs. Modern sterndrive motors have been around for almost 60 years - and are defined by the innovative, yet different builds of Volvo Penta and Mercury. Get an engine that falls short, and you are sure to be left disappointed. The power behind your boat is one of the most important things to consider when you’re contemplating a new boat purchase. Here is Formula Boats’ In-Depth answer to and often-asked question… The Formula 37 Performance Cruiser is available with a selection of MerCruiser and Volvo Penta sterndrives.Ī BoatTEST Member who happens to own a Formula boat and is in the market for a new one has asked us which sterndrive brand he should choose – MerCruiser or Volvo Penta? To answer this question, we have asked the folks at Formula Boats – which has extensive experience of installing both brands in its boats – to give us their perspective on the answer to this question.
0 kommentar(er)
