Volvo Penta to Debut Joystick Surfing, Showcase Twin Forward Drive at IBEX 2024
Volvo Penta’s latest, integrated marine technologies are helping to advance easy boating and versatility in the watersports market. Jens Bering, vice president of marine sales, will participate in a panel to discuss how the company’s innovative technology is designed to improve comfort and sustainability today and into the future, ensuring life at sea is accessible to everyone.
Volvo Penta will demonstrate the capabilities of the new Joystick Surfing solution for Twin Forward Drive, gasoline-powered boats at the International Boatbuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) 2024 taking place October 1-3 at the Tampa Convention Center. Joystick Surfing, nominated for an IBEX Innovation Award, builds on Volvo Penta’s Joystick Driving feature, which provides the option to control the boat without the steering wheel or throttle – and therefore a single hand. This latest advancement works with the Watersports Control display in Surf Mode, creating a system that incorporates new functionalities specifically designed to enhance the surfing experience in wake boats.
Operators can simply select their preferred surf profile in Surf Mode and activate the joystick to begin cruising. The functionality helps to enhance the operator experience and maneuverability at lower speeds, while wake surfers enjoy their perfect waves. The Joystick Surfing feature also offers driving versatility with steering, throttle and gear control at higher speeds when in regular cruising. Volvo Penta will demonstrate Joystick Surfing’s intuitive, flexible functionality during the expo on the Chris-Craft Launch 35 GT with Volvo Penta Twin Forward Drive propulsion, located at slip #19.
Innovation breeds inclusivity
At booth 3-700, visitors can explore how Volvo Penta’s new Twin Forward Drive combines its innovative forward-facing, counter-rotating prop design with the perfectly matched 400 HP gasoline engine. An extension of the company’s popular Forward Drive propulsion system, this new iteration ensures that all the solution’s benefits – superior maneuverability and fuel efficiency, fast acceleration and time to plane, powerful thrust and performance, increased safety, low emission and noticeable onboard comfort – can be enjoyed on larger boats and in coastal waters.
“From Twin Forward Drive to the new Joystick Surfing solution, our integration of cutting-edge, intuitive boating technologies reflects our commitment to improving accessibility,” said Jens Bering, Vice President of Marine for Volvo Penta. “Each milestone motivates us to continue pushing forward with our user-centric vision. By advancing capabilities across the board in comfort, ease of use and sustainability, we’re dedicated to ensuring that everyone has a truly memorable time on the water.”
Riding the wave of visionary leadership
Bering will participate as a panelist for the IBEX Education Conference session: Avoiding Contradictions in Technology on Wednesday, October 2 at 8:30 a.m. PT. The panel discussion will cover hull and component life cycle considerations as the industry advances in the design of durable hulls built for sustainability.
“I look forward to contributing to the conversation about how the marine industry can help future-proof the boat-building process, as well as the role propulsion system manufacturers like Volvo Penta play in accounting for both revolutionary and generational shifts,” said Bering. “We need to ensure that boat design and technology work together and are upgradable as commitments to sustainability continue to evolve.”
Bering will also serve as a judge at the Pitching Competition Event on Wednesday, October 2 at 2:00 p.m. PT on the Main Stage as part of IBEX’s new Start-Up Pavilion. The program allow startup businesses to present their newest products and technologies to the marine industry while getting feedback from esteemed industry experts.
The IBEX Innovation Awards will be presented during the annual Industry Breakfast, Innovation Awards Presentation and Keynote on the opening morning of the show on Tuesday, October 1 from 7:30-9:30 a.m. The program is one of the marine industry’s most prestigious honors, recognizing manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products to market.
Ends.
September 2024
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Stewart
Marketing Communications Manager
Volvo Penta
Tel: +1-757-407-3554
Email: melissa.stewart@volvo.com
Ryan Boger
Account Supervisor
Largemouth Communications
Tel: +1-336-817-9351
Email: ryan@largemouthpr.com
