The Development History Of Outboard Motors

It all started in the early 1950s. At that time, there were inboard and outboard engines. If it weren't for a man named Jim Wynne, the story would end like this. As a maritime engineer and test driver, he realized that the performance of the outboard motor was too poor, which affected the ship’s good performance. In those days, the maximum horsepower of the ship was only 70, but the weight was equal to today's 150 horsepower outboard. They no longer have the advantages that outboard motors once had.

Outboard engine + inboard engine

Therefore, Jim had an idea. If a new engine can be created that combines the performance of the inboard motor with the control advantages of the outboard motor, what will be the result? He proposed this idea to his boss. Surprisingly, his boss was not interested in it. He said, "The outboard motor is the perfect propeller for a ship, and there is no other product to replace it." Fortunately, history proved him wrong.

In the warehouse

Jim still believes that his idea is worth trying, and he continues to study the project in the warehouse. In March 1958, he completed the first prototype, which was based on the BB70 Penta inboard engine. As he wished, the test drive was a success, although it only lasted five minutes...

Trip to Europe

However, Jim still strengthened his conviction. In August of the same year, he visited Denmark, preparing to use the outboard engine to cross the Atlantic for the first time in the world. Jim took the opportunity to visit Gothenburg briefly and presented his ideas to Volvo Penta's manager Harald Wecklund. Harald immediately saw the potential of Jim's invention and signed a contract with Jim only two days later.

From sketch to inboard and outboard engine

Volvo Penta engineers began to work around the clock, converting Jim's sketches into a stern machine that could be produced. In the last few days before Christmas, the first "real" inboard and outboard aircraft was completed. It was quickly put into a barrel for driving test, painted and shipped to the United States, to participate in the mega yacht exhibition held in New York in January 1959.

Success in New York

The inboard and outboard engines achieved great success immediately, and both ship customers and competitors were surprised by its excellent performance. In the first year, sales of inboard and outboard engines in the United States alone exceeded 1,000 units. A new propulsion system was born-inboard and outboard stern.

Further development

Since 1959, the stern plane has continued to conquer the world. This technology has been further developed and improved, not just by Volvo Penta. In 1982, the introduction of the string propeller further improved the yacht's performance. The launch of the joystick in 2009, another milestone in the history of inboard and outboard motors, made Volvo Penta a world leader in the field of stern aircraft systems.