- Sail drive installations are smoother and quieter than shaft installation.
There is no critical shaft alignment required. No hard rubber motor mounts to get soft. All this relates to noise between the engine and shaft. Sail drive engines have no alignment requirements, so the mounts are softer, no alignment maintenance and hence there is nearly no vibration or noise transmitted to the hull from the engine.
- Sail drive installations do not require a shaft log or stuffing box.
Because there is no shaft log or stuffing box or cutlass bearing, there is no stuffing box maintenance, no cutlass bearing replacement or water dripping into the bilge.
- Sail drive installations are more efficient under power.
Sail drive propeller shafts are horizontal, therefore all the power or thrust is directed into pushing the boat forward, not pushing down at an angle like most shaft installations. Sail drives have the same gear reduction ratio in forward and reverse, so the propeller is equally loaded in either direction. Also, because the shaft is level, there is minimal “prop walk” in forward or when backing down.
- Sail drive installations are faster under sail
Sail drives have less drag when sailing than most exposed shaft and strut installations. The hydrodynamically shaped sail drive leg slips thru the water so you sail faster for the same wind conditions.
- VOLVO PENTA invented the sail drive
Because Volvo Penta has the most experience in drive design and production, you benefit from expertise with the best materials and manufacturing techniques.
- VOLVO PENTA produces its own propellers
Volvo Penta is a complete propulsion system supplier with extensive in-house propeller design expertise developed from years in sail drive and out drive design and manufacturing. These fixed and folding sail drive propellers feature rubber cushion hubs to isolate the propeller shocks from the gear train and electrical isolation for corrosion protection. Water tunnel testing assures high efficiency and thrust, even in reverse, plus low noise and cavitation free operation and minimal drag under sail. As you look at a sail drive propeller you will see it is larger. This is made possible by the fact that the sail drive protrudes further from the hull offering more space for a larger prop which translates into more thrust and power.
- Sail drive installations take up much less space
Because there are no shaft components, the designer has greater latitude as to where the inboard can be installed and less space is used for the engine leaving more area for other purposes in the vessel. The installation process is quicker and easier in comparison to inboards with shafts, shaft logs and struts, so the process saves time and money which helps the boat owner providing more value to the overall boat purchase equation.
