Driving innovation: Tracing Duoprop's impact on the boating experience
In 2022, Volvo Penta marked a significant milestone by celebrating 40 years since the launch of Duoprop; an innovative marine propeller design that has transformed boating experiences around the world. The technology features twin counter-rotating propellers, which provide unparalleled thrust, straight-and-true tracking, and faster acceleration. With perfectly matched pitch and camber distribution, Duoprop ensures exceptional grip, efficiency, and predictable handling. Optimized torque distribution between front and rear propellers preserves drivetrain life, while precise balancing minimizes vibrations for a quieter, more comfortable time on the water.
"In the marine industry, Duoprop completely revolutionized the way we create products and solutions," said Johan Wästeräng, Vice President of Product Management at Volvo Penta. "By launching this unique technology 40 years ago, Volvo Penta cemented its place as a pioneer in the industry, breaking new ground, and paving the way for other marine businesses.”
Revolutionizing the Boating Industry
Over the years, the Duoprop system has set the bar high in terms of performance, efficiency, and reliability, becoming a common feature on vessels ranging from small recreational crafts to larger commercial boats. This innovative twin counter-rotating propeller system produces unprecedented thrust, faster acceleration, and highly accurate straight tracking. It continues to evolve as Volvo Penta remains committed to pushing forward in marine innovation.
"Throughout its history, we have continued to modify and enhance Duoprop to improve the user experience and efficiency onboard. Duoprop is our 'not-so-secret' weapon, and everything we create has it in mind. Perhaps most excitingly, we have not yet reached the ceiling. With our advances in solutions like hybrid-electric and pure electric, as well as other alternative power solutions, Duoprop will continue to play a critical role in the future of boating," said Wästeräng.
A Legacy of Innovation
The legacy of Duoprop dates back to the late 1960’s when Volvo Penta noticed the Swedish Navy using counter-rotating propellers to ensure stability in torpedoes. The company began exploring ways to expand that principle on a much broader scale. A core team conceptualized the solution over a number of years, backed by leadership that maintained a progressive approach to overcoming the hurdles encountered during the innovation journey. By the early 1970’s, the need for a technology such as Duoprop was brought into even sharper focus as the 1973 oil crisis sent fuel prices soaring, resulting in a growing demand for more fuel-efficient technologies.
Volvo Penta persevered with its development work, and by 1982, the company was ready to showcase the revolutionary impact of Duoprop on the marine industry.
"The passion and persistence of the Volvo Penta development team, plus the trust and support of leadership, are what ultimately led to the success of Duoprop. It's a testament to just how innovative it is, that nothing has yet been created that surpasses it. It's also a great example of how we have innovation built into our DNA at Volvo Penta, how we continually create an environment to nurture and expand ideas and technologies," noted Wästeräng.
Setting a New Standard
Duoprop remains a critical component of various vessels, including our Hurtigruten Svalbard pilot; a near-silent, hybrid-electric concept that runs tours of Svalbard. Such ambition and advances in terms of on-water experience are only made possible through Volvo Penta innovations, such as Duoprop. As Volvo Penta moves towards the future of boating and explores new ways for individuals to interact with water and nature, innovative technologies and solutions will be a key enabler in this shift.
"I am excited to see what is on the horizon in terms of our boating experiences and excited to see the role that Duoprop and our other Volvo Penta innovations will play," concluded Wästeräng.
