For leisure boats

Forward Drive

360 Degrees of Fun. Uniquely engineered with forward-facing counter-rotating props that pull the boat through the water rather than pushing it, Forward Drive gives small-craft leisure boaters new found levels of versatility, flexibility and comfort.

Let's change things up. The Volvo Penta Forward Drive offers a high level of comfort and control on the water. Uniquely engineered with twin forward-facing counter-rotating propellers, the efficiency of the sterndrives means optimal wakesurfing conditions.

The Forward Drive Experience

With the DuoProp twin counter-rotating propellers that bite hard, you get unparalleled thrust, straight and true tracking plus faster acceleration on the plane. And since the propellers are facing forward, you increase the safety when surfing or waterskiing behind the boat.
A cut above

Forward Drive

Our Volvo Penta Forward Drive is a versatile propulsion system designed with safety features and comfort in mind for water sport boats.
Tailored for wakeboard boats

Enjoyment

Comfort and smoothness. The unique placement of the system underneath your water sport boat is designed to reduce noise and provide fresher air compared to a V-drive surf boat.
One of a kind

Expert engineering

Our patented Duoprop technology delivers improved maneuverability, greater low-speed handling and faster acceleration on the plane, compared to an inboard V-drive.
Volvo Penta Twin Forward Drive engines
Double the power, double the excitement

Forward drive, now also for larger boats

Through cutting-edge design and relentless innovation, we present the new Twin Forward Drive and the perfectly matched 400 HP engine. A combination promising non-stop thrills that can be used on larger boats, allowing more co-adventurers to join.

 

Discover the power of the Twin Forward Drive

The Volvo Penta Forward Drive system means you can enjoy everything from surfing to wakeboarding and beyond, with total freedom to relax and enjoy your surroundings with friends and family.

Forward is the Only Way

Journey with us, on this one-of-a-kind experience that resulted in a series of episodes demonstrating how the Volvo Penta Forward Drive is bringing versatility to the forefront and capturing a new demographic of boaters. Those who thrive with an active lifestyle and enjoy natural connection to the water.

Forward drive technology

A power solution you want to experience. Variable trim angles provide the right thrust for cruising and top speeds. Speeding to plane is significantly faster than conventional inboards, and turns are much tighter and faster thanks to directional thrust.
Be in control and create your own comfortable and ergonomic command center. Our range of Volvo Penta controls keeps all essential functions at your fingertips – electronic shift and throttle, integrated buttons for engine, and drive functions – all which have a manual override. Discover even more options, including the seamless Water Sport Control, and smart features like Tow Mode.
Water Sport Control, a feature of Forward Drive, allows you to customise your water sports experience thanks to an adjustable angle of thrust. Variable, downward thrust draws the stern lower into the water, and in combination with an enlarged trim plate, it fine-tunes your wake surfing wave and wakeboarding wakes on the fly. The trim also means effortless, comfortable cruising.
Our innovative DuoProp twin counter-rotating propellers bite hard, giving you thrust, straight and true tracking, and fast acceleration on the plane. Because safety is a core Volvo value, the propellers face forward to help protect guests who are surfing or water skiing behind the boat.
The unique orientation of our Forward Drive system is designed to reduce noise and exhaust emissions compared to conventional propulsion systems. The forward-facing propellers are also designed to provide additional safety when swimming. For added comfort, the Aquamatic Sterndrive features silent shift, and thanks to our Duoprop technology, you can enjoy a smooth ride.
I love the athletic side of getting to wakeboard and surf and do all of these water sports, and at the same time really appreciate the beauty around us.
— Morgen Burchell, watersport athlete
Joystick Surfing behind the Cobalt Launch 35 GT with joystick and watersport control in forground
Joystick Surfing

Introducing Joystick Surfing for Twin Forward Drive.

Volvo Penta’s latest iteration of innovative joystick technology is specifically designed to enhance the watersports experience. When using Joystick Surfing together with Watersport Control while in Surf Mode, operators can simply select their favorite surf profile on the Glass Cockpit Display and press the joystick forward to begin cruising at optimal, lower surf speed. Control the boat with ease and comfort in addition to customizing waves for the surfer. Shift, throttle, and steering are all in one joystick control both in and out of Surf Mode — and at double the power and drives, these advantages are available for even bigger boats with our Twin Forward Drive and perfectly paired 400 HP engines.

 
Powerboat driving across a dark blue sea photographed from above

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