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Volvo to acquire Seven Marine; Outboard Engines...

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by YachtForums, Jul 6, 2017.

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  1. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Volvo to acquire Seven Marine; Outboard Engines

    Volvo Penta has signed an agreement to become the majority owner of Seven Marine,
    enabling the Swedish company to extend its scope of integrated propulsion systems.

    “With this acquisition, Volvo Penta is entering the outboard motor segment, says Volvo Penta president, Björn Ingemanson. “With Seven Marine, we are on a journey to expand the scope of supply with our customers and invest in the growth of a platform to shape the future of the outboard industry.” The deal will broaden Volvo Penta’s technology platform, offering a modular, cutting-edge solution, regardless of the energy source, to deliver the desired power in the water. Seven Marine will be able to further develop its existing innovative outboard technology to satisfy a wider range of needs for its premium and exclusive customer base. This acquisition will strengthen their combined footprint in the marine market.

    “This is an exciting step for Volvo Penta,” says Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Penta of the Americas. “We are combining the strength of two highly innovative companies to deliver an unbeatable engine range for the gasoline segment. We will not only come to market with an extremely attractive outboard solution, but we will deliver the benefits of our world-class service network to a broader range of customers.”

    Seven Marine...

    Seven Marine, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA, was founded in 2010 by a team with many years’ specialist experience in marine technology. the founder was a cheif engineer behind Mercury's outboard division. With a proven track record in delivering high performance gasoline outboards for the high-end leisure market, Seven Marine produces the most powerful outboard models in the world, running at 557 and 627 hp.

    Thanks to the unmatched horsepower of its outboards, the company is able to meet the demand for larger, outboard powered boats. Customers benefit from the ability to go farther, faster, more efficiently with leading and innovative product style and design.
    The company’s small block V8 engines are fitted horizontally and leverage modern, automotive quality and technology. This includes use of fresh-water cooling for enhanced durability and corrosion protection and a supercharger to produce excellent performance.

    Volvo-Penta...

    Volvo Penta has over 110 years of experience as a market leader in engine and propulsion systems, delivering a history of innovations to the marine industry, such as the Aquamatic Sterndrive, Volvo Penta IPS, and Forward Drive. The company’s easy boating philosophy is the driving force behind groundbreaking solutions to make boating easy, enjoyable and more fun. With its current product portfolio, Volvo Penta offers one of the widest ranges of world-class marine diesel and gasoline engines in the industry.

    Shared Vision...

    The use of automotive technology is a common aspect between Volvo Penta’s gasoline sterndrive range and Seven Marine’s outboard motors. Seven Marine’s approach to exploring new techniques and design architecture is a key driver behind Volvo Penta’s decision to become majority owner in Seven Marine.
    With this acquisition, the two companies will collaborate to continue to develop Seven Marine’s leading outboard offerings, which not only leverages the strength of the company’s existing technology, but also has sustainability in mind.

    “The Seven Marine concept mirrors the successful strategy we have followed in pursuing automotive technology,” says Björn Ingemanson, president of Volvo Penta. “Just as we are a leader in diesel and gasoline engine technology, Seven Marine leads its market for state-of-the-art outboards.”
    He adds: “We have a shared vision for the future, and this deal provides an ideal platform for us to grow and adapt together. We will move forward in leading the development of world-class performance and sustainability for the most premium of outboard motor segments.”

    Seven Marine will operate as a stand-alone entity retaining its brand, product line and organizational structure. Ron Huibers, Volvo Penta’s president of the Americas region, will be the chairman of Seven Marine and Rick Davis will remain as Seven Marine’s president and CEO.
    With this approach, Seven Marine will benefit from the strength and stability of being part of a larger, international organization, while still maintaining its entrepreneurial spirit.

    “This is a great development for us,” says Rick Davis, president and CEO, at Seven Marine. “As a young company we have pushed ourselves forward to revolutionize the outboard experience in a short period of time. And in partnering with Volvo Penta, we will have a solid backing to continue improving the customer experience through the pursuit of technological and innovation advancement.”
    The agreement is subject to conditions and is expected to close in the nearest future.



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  2. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I don't have sales figures, but IMO interest in Seven Marine engines has been limited by cost and service. With Volvo's dealer network and consumer demand for outboard reliability, this is certainly a great strategic move by Volvo. Hopefully the infusion of cash will give Seven Marine the manufacturing efficiency to price units more effectively. When 7 Marine's engines first debuted at the Miami show about 7 years ago, they were met with great enthusiasm, but this was quickly muted by price. Since then, Seven has made some inroads with builders wanting to showcase premiere, range-topping models. Short of that, the engines remain an oddity invoking deep price point resentment. IMO, if they don't correct this, they are leaving a gaping hole for the big outboard motor manufacturers to fill and that's not a market they can thrive in. Nor survive.

    The cost of the 627hp Seven is around $100k. The 557hp variant is around $75k. The block of this engine is essentially the 6.2 litre, supercharged Northstar V8. A quick Google search shows this engine can be bought new in the crate for $12,000. I'd be hard-pressed to believe the cowling, harness, throttles, mid-section, lower unit and crating costs would exceed $25,000 for one of these motors at minimal scale.

    For a little perspective... retail on the new Mercury 400R is around $26,000.
  3. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    This, on the same day Volvo automobiles say it will no longer sell straight gas/diesel cars to the public. Only electric/hybrids will be on sale.

    I know they are no longer joined but the words kettle: pot: black: springs to mind!
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'd say a good competitive market price would be $50k-$60k for the 557 and $60k-$70k for the 627.

    Part of hitting a reasonable price will probably be getting their cost down.

    Right now they only have dealers and service in the eastern section of the US and PR and one in UAE. None in the rest of the world.

    The only place I've seen their engines is on a few center consoles. Now there are two potential uses for it on CC's and because of price they only get one of them. They get those who just want more total horsepower and until the 40 could only get to 1400 hp with 4 motors without going to Seven. So they'd go from 1400 to 2200 hp by going to Seven. Now, if they were priced competitively which I would consider double or slightly more than double the price of engines with half the hp, then they'd open up the other use and that is someone wanting to get by with few motors. Instead of three 350's, people would go with two 557's. Instead of four 300's they'd go for two 627's.

    Now a different market where I could picture them if marketed and priced differently is the bass boat and small performance runabout.

    I find this move interesting but it doesn't excite me. I would have been at least somewhat more excited to see it done by Mercury or Yamaha. I don't see the synergy with Volvo-Penta acquiring.
  5. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Perhaps they have seen my proposal for an open 29'... ;)

    D29 Runabout.png
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    But then can't it be propelled by conventional outboards?
  7. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Of course, I just had this engine on my desktop since another proposal four years ago on a 23' which was a bit too small for 557 hp... In fact I think the 29' is also too small for this engine since the boat is doing 50 knots with a 370 hp Volvo Penta D6 diesel inboard and I think this is fast enough...

    D23 Runabout.jpg
  8. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Volvo Penta will have greater purchasing power for the GM blocks used in this OB and hopefully can bring the price down a bit. They usually put an inside guy into the companies they acquire, it will be interesting to see how the Seven Marine management team (ex Mercury Marine guys) work with them.
    They will certainly be hungry for some cash infusion to address some R&D issues.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    WOW.
    ,rc
  10. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Why are Seven still continuing with ages old technology? A 1960's push-rod smallblock V8 engine is hardly cutting edge, a bit of a gimick really. The only reason the Mercruiser V8 has lasted this long is that parts are cheap and most people have worked on them, so knowledge has been spread around.

    The Se7en has taken away all these advantages. I think I'd stick with the 350/400 production package from Merc.
  11. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Had a discussion with an engineer from Cummins who raised the question of service life on these GM-based, Seven outboards. Their operational life is extended by a transmission in automotive applications, keeping RPMs relatively low. Running at 4-5000 rpm in a marine application may only yield Mercruiser-like lifespans. Something to think about...
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Those who can afford disposable (quickly replaceable) horse power will still sign the checks with smiles.
    I do see low hour, high performance engine change outs about every other year on a few boats up here. The third cycle is a new boat, again with the latest biggest motor on the market that day.
    ,Then repeat. Life span is not an issue for these guys.

    Down your way, I can imagine more of this logic.

    Wish I had this problem...
  13. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'm with you, Ralph. I don't see the relatively short lives of sevens as an issue with their customer. They're after speed and one of the reason they prefer outboards is the ease of replacing outboards. They don't figure on 20,000 hours. There are diesel center consoles, but you don't see them selling much. Most aren't willing to sacrifice speed and space and pay more to get them.

    We badly want a fast boat one day. One that we can cruise in but will also run 55 knots or so. Doesn't matter what it is or how much we pay though, it still won't outrun our Contender Center Console with triple Yamahas.
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I have a friend that runs a 39' Yellowfin for an owner. It had 4-350 HP Verado's.....the owner traded them all in and put 4-400hp Verado's on the boat when they came out. He gained 1 KNOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOLOLOLOL
  15. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Not doubting your story, but I have to question your friend's. In every application of the 400 ROS I've seen (and read), the gains are remarkable. The 350 Verado turns 5800-6400 RPMs at WOT. The 400ROS is rated at 6400-7000. If the same props were used, the math doesn't add up. Did he use different, lower pitched props?
  16. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I can't speak to that specific combination but I can speak very much to the diminishing returns on engine options on a boat in that range as you reach certain numbers of engines and hp. On a Contender 39 with triple Yamaha 350's, WOT is 60.7 knots at 6100 RPM. Yet, we have a Contender 39 with triple 300's and WOT is 57.5 knots at 5950 RPM. So a 16.7% increase in hp only gains 5.6% in top speed or a net of 3 knots.

    So going from 4-350's to 4-400's, you have a 14% increase in hp and my guess would have been perhaps a 2-3 knot increase in top speed and that dependent on proper propping and tuning. Looking at other tests, the 39' Yellowfin and the 39' Contender have nearly identical performance. So, without fully maxing out the performance, the 1 knot doesn't surprise me. Doing everything right, I see 3 knots maximum potential and likely more like 2 to 2.5.
  17. Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    On our RIBs the 300s run in the mid 60s, but the 350 hits a solid 75. Same prop.
  18. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    That just shows the difference in boats. Up to a certain size and speed boat, added hp has even more impact than you might expect,. RIBs are definitely that way as 120 hp vs 100 will often add 5 knots on a smaller RIB. 39' Yellowfins or Contenders (and I imagine Intrepids, Jupiters, and Seavees would be much the same) are reaching the point at which it becomes very difficult to add speed. Compare a Boston Whaler to the CC's I mentioned. A 380 outrage even with triple 350's in a boat test only ran 43.4 knots. Now that was heavily weighted on top of the hull weight and design.
  19. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I do not know on the props. I'm guessing they simply hit hull speed on the yellowfin and the boat won't go any faster.
  20. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Wetted surfaces ads a lot of drag. On the same boat, extra HP may not over come this friction.
    HP is not free, it ads weight somewhere, helping the wet drag keep that grip on the hull bottom.
    Vented hulls help but there will always be wet drag or it's not a boat.

    Then, adding HP, going faster, gets more of the boat out of the water (Kinda of arguing with my self out loud).

    I think the smaller boats (& RIBs) have more effective lifting action from their strakes than damping as on the larger CCs.

    Adding HP in ones driveway does not always work per plan.
    We all should of already learned this as kids, working on our first cars.
    But sometimes, just by chance and lots of beer, it did come alive faster.
    Humm, no lifting strakes on cars,