Responsible for engines that won iconic races across various series, including Indy racing and Formula One, Ilmor started stirring the waters in the marine industry in the early 2000s.įor the next decade, Ilmor became a leading provider of both racing and recreational boat engines that provide enviable power and outstanding performance, including a new generation of MV10 aquatic products that brought multiple winners across the finish line in several boat racing series. Having gotten its start in the 1980s, Penske-owned Ilmor Engineering began as an innovative manufacturer of high-performance engines for the car-racing industry. The foundation of the Mercruiser and Volvo Penta have remained the same over time, beginning with the skeleton of an auto engine and then making changes to repurpose it for the boating industry - what’s known as “marinizing.” While the automotive and boating industries do share some similar fundamental needs, relying on auto engines comes with its share of pros and cons. From that day forward, the two companies, Volvo and Mercury, would compete for the sterndrive market share. The announcement by Volvo motivated Kiekhaefer to embrace the new sterndrive model, and so he asked Strang, who was still with Mercury, to develop a Mercury version of the sterndrive. One year later, Volvo Penta released the first sterndrive of its kind, the “Aquamatic,” at the New York Motor Boat Show. He then sold the rights to - you guessed it - Volvo Penta. Rather than abandoning the idea again, Wynne left Mercury and filed a patent for the design after a falling out with Kiekhaefer. The design resurfaced, and Strang and Wynne presented the plan to Kiekhaefer, but he rejected it. Stang was an engineer at the time and worked alongside Jim Wynne. Ten years later, in 1958, Strang was working for Mercury, while it was being led by its founder, Carl Kiekhaefer.
To use this new design in his boat racing, he had to get the American Power Boat Association (APBA) to recognize and approve it as an outboard motor. It consisted of a lightweight car engine and a lower outboard unit - what we know today as the modern sterndrive. At the time, he was an MIT engineering student who had a vision for a design that he thought could give him the power he needed. The inspiration for the modern sterndrive began in 1948 when a young man, Charlie Strang, wanted to beat the outboard speed record. As a result, sales suffered, and it wasn’t until almost 30 years later that the modern sterndrive of today was created. Johnson Motor Company introduced the first sterndrive in 1930, but the initial design required most boats to be redesigned to accommodate the motor.
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That’s why we’re delving into their history, as well as similarities and differences these sterndrive brands, plus giving you some factors to consider as you decide how to choose between an Ilmor, Mercruiser and a Volvo.Įvolution of Sterndrives: Volvo vs. The competition between these companies is nothing new - they have been competing for the sterndrive market share since the modern sterndrive was introduced. You may be wondering - which is better, Ilmor, Mercury Mercruiser or Volvo Penta? Or, what’s the difference between Ilmor, Volvo Penta and Mercury Mercruiser? If you’re interested in purchasing a new boat powered by a sterndrive motor, there’s a good chance it’s going to be either a Volvo Penta, Ilmor or Mercury® Mercruiser®. Modern sterndrive motors have been around for almost 60 years - and are defined by the innovative, yet different builds of Ilmor, Volvo and Mercury. Get an engine that falls short, and you are sure to be left disappointed. The power behind your boat is one of the most important things to consider when you’re contemplating a new boat purchase.
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