Volvo Ocean Race

Each boat competing in the Volvo Ocean Race is equipped with two engines from Volvo Penta. One engine should, if possible, never be used during the race, the other is decisive for the boats completing the race at all.

This is how Volvo Penta's engines contribute to completion of the Volvo Ocean Race as fast as possible – and as safely as possible.

Sally Collison/PUMA Ocean Racing


The propulsion engine
Naturally, the objective of the boats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race is to circumnavigate the world's oceans using their sails to harness the power of the wind – not using engines. However, engines for propulsion are to be installed on the boats, primarily for two reasons:

  1. to facilitate safe navigation in harbours and during transportation legs not included in the competition
  2. for possible emergency situations, for example if a crew member falls overboard

Sailboats in all sizes
The same type of power plant from Volvo Penta is to be found in tens of thousands of sailing boats across the globe today. With engines between 10 and just over 140 horsepower in its sailboat range, Volvo Penta can offer engines suited to sailboats in nearly all size classes.

Links


The auxiliary engine
The auxiliary engine is the engine placed under most strain during the Volvo Ocean Race. In contrast with the propulsion engine, the auxiliary engine is used regularly, primarily to cover the following needs on board:

  1. the generation of electrical power  
  2. the production of drinking water from seawater 


© copyright AB Volvo 2008