5 Volvo Penta Marine Accessories and Features For More Stress-Free Boating
When most people picture their ideal boating lifestyle, they imagine quality time with family and friends while enjoying what matters most — exploring the open water. In reality, however, navigating unpredictable conditions or tackling complex operations like docking can sometimes make the experience feel more pressured than peaceful.
That’s why Volvo Penta has developed an array of helm-to-prop solutions designed to make boating more integrated, intuitive and accessible for everyone. These marine accessories and features were engineered to enhance life at sea. Here are five key Volvo Penta innovations that demonstrate that more stress-free boating is no longer just a dream.
- Joystick Driving: Simplified Control at Your Fingertips
Maneuvering a boat can be challenging, especially in tight spaces or rough conditions, but with Volvo Penta’s Joystick Driving feature, the operator is able to steer, accelerate and control the boat’s direction with just one hand on the joystick. Whether cruising at high speeds or making precise adjustments in confined marinas, Joystick Driving helps navigate with enhanced handling, reducing the stress of traditional helm control by making driving more intuitive and responsive.
- Assisted Docking: Approach the Marina with Confidence
Docking is often one of the most stressful parts of boating, even for experienced captains. Volvo Penta’s semi-automated Assisted Docking system, now available for all DPI and IPS drives, can ease anxiety by providing more precise control when maneuvering into tight docking spaces. This innovative technology compensates for wind and currents, allowing boaters to move smoothly in any direction with just the push of a joystick. The system automatically adjusts for external factors, aiming to make docking a calm and controlled process.
- Open Transom: More Space, More Convenience
A cluttered deck can make boating feel cramped and inconvenient. Volvo Penta’s open transom design, made possible with sterndrive power, addresses this challenge by removing obstructions. Both the captain and passengers enjoy a clean, uninterrupted view aft. When gearing up for watersports, skiers, tubers and boarders have ample space and easy access to and from the water. While enjoying some downtime coving or on the hook, spacious full-width swim platforms provide a gathering spot where passengers can freely socialize, feet dangling in the water. The clean design also allows reduced exposure to moving parts like engines and propellers, which can improve onboard safety.
- Dynamic Positioning System: Holding Position and Heading
Choppy waters, busy marinas and waiting at fuel docks can make station-keeping a challenge. Volvo Penta’s Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) aims to remove frustrations when holding position by using GPS technology to automatically maintain your boat’s place in the water. With the press of a button, the system compensates for wind and current, keeping the boat steady without the need for constant manual adjustments. Whether you’re waiting for a bridge to open or preparing to dock, DPS provides a reliable solution for staying in place.
- Glass Cockpit System: All-in-One Navigation and Monitoring
Managing multiple screens and instruments can be overwhelming, especially when conditions demand your full attention. The Glass Cockpit System integrates all essential navigation, engine data and control functions into one streamlined touchscreen interface. With an intuitive and customizable layout, boaters can monitor and manage everything from chart plotting to fuel consumption in one glance. The display helps to reduce clutter at the helm and improves access to essential information.
Whether you’re a seasoned captain or a first-time boater, intuitive marine accessories from Volvo Penta allow boaters to embrace the future of hassle-free boating and focus on making memories.
