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Gearboxes create a stir at boat show

A Newage Transmissions product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 15, 2005

Strong interest in PRM StepDrive gearboxes at the recent London International Boat Show has led to the appointment of two new sales agents and a crop of new installations.

Strong interest in PRM StepDrive gearboxes at the recent London International Boat Show has led to the appointment of two new sales agents and a crop of new installations for these novel, two-speed automatic marine transmissions.

The appointment of Azzopardi Marine Services in Malta marks the first availability of production StepDrive units outside the UK.

In parallel, Marine and General Boat Yard of Guernsey not only becomes Newage's first sales and installation dealership in the Channel Islands, but has already secured an order to fit StepDrive units to a Sealine F33 fly bridge motor boat powered by two Volvo Penta KAD 32 engines.

"Retrofitting the new gearboxes will make all-round improvements to the vessel's performance", says Newage's Marine Sales Manager, Jamie Pratt.

"The units incorporate a reduction ratio of around 25% in addition to their direct drive, which increases propeller efficiency and acceleration, enabling boats to get on to the plane significantly faster than before".

"StepDrives deliver particularly noticeable improvement at low revs, before the effects of the engine supercharger or turbo kick in", he continues.

"In most applications, boat acceleration will be increased by at least 25%".

"Furthermore, the gearboxes provide benefits of reduced creep speed, emissions and noise when manoeuvring in busy marines or restricted waterways".

"They also feature extremely smooth gearchanges and engagement of drive, to ensure a long and trouble free service life".

StepDrive units are self-contained gearboxes that can be retrofitted to Volvo Duoprop 290 drive legs.

They are installed entirely within the centre section of the Duoprop unit and are ideal for use with turbocharged engines such as Volvo Penta AD31 and 41 series; as well as supercharged units up to the KAD44.

In operation, the two-speed gearboxes automatically change from low to high ratio at a predetermined engine speed.

This is optimised during installation to the individual boat and engine combination.

When the boat decelerates again, low gear is engaged as the engine speed falls below 1500rev/min.

"Further StepDrive enquiries from the London Boat Show include units for applications in several Scandinavian countries", continues Pratt.

"I am therefore confident that our participation at next month's Stockholm Boat Show will build on this success and lead to the appointment of further dealers to meet demand in this important sales region".

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