www.iFourWinns.com

Apologies if someone already linked this article about whether new propulsion systems can turn around the industry.

Of particular note regarding Volvo...

Four years after it introduced IPS with joystick steering control, Volvo Penta recently announced that the same joystick technology will be available with its V8-powered sterndrives.

“We’ll have joystick technology for boats from 25 to 92 feet,” says Apple. “We’ve planning this for quite some time, but we don’t come to market with a product until it’s thoroughly tested, and we know it’s right.”

The new sterndrive joystick uses fly-by-wire technology to command the drives, which move independently and are fitted with two counter-rotating propellers. “We’re very confident it compares extremely well with the competition,” says Apple, referring to MerCruiser’s Axius sterndrives, which also have joystick capability.

Volvo Penta’s joystick sterndrives will be available with twin engine installations from 270 to 420 horsepower. This includes eight engines in three sizes – 5.0-, 5.7- and 8.1-liter. The engine manufacturer planned to have two boats with the new system on display at the Miami International Boat Show: a Monterey 320 and a Four Winns V358.

Four Winns began building boats with Volvo Penta’s joystick sterndrives in December, said Christophe Lavigne, director of engineering. In addition to the V358, the company will also offer the new propulsion packages in its 318, 338 and 288 models, he says.

“It’s fantastic,” Lavigne says. “We were losing customers who want to get into bigger boats but we’re intimidated to drive them. Now we have a great chance of maintaining those customers.”

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

Thanks for posting. Good article. This comment suggests to me that FW will not be getting rid of the 288 right away as was mentioned by someone here recently.

Four Winns began building boats with Volvo Penta’s joystick sterndrives in December, said Christophe Lavigne, director of engineering. In addition to the V358, the company will also offer the new propulsion packages in its 318, 338 and 288 models, he says.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

This is an option already available on the FW website. yes - you can order a v288 with it right now.

And yes, the 288 is going away in favor of a new model. The 288 is not sticking around for much longer - unless the economic downtown has impacted the r&d of the new model.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA