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Boating Business

Volvo Penta to Discontinue Seven Marine Outboards

Volvo Penta purchased Seven Marine in 2017 and will halt production after current demand is met.

Citing a desire to be a net-zero emissions company by 2050, the Volvo Group, which includes the Volvo Penta marine division, is stopping the sales and marketing of Seven Marine outboard engines effective January 1, 2021.

Sustainable Solutions

The Swedish company said in a press release that it will phase out the V-8-powered gasoline burning outboards once consumer demand is met. Volvo Penta added that it will continue to support Seven Marine customers by taking full warranty and parts responsibility for products that are in the field.

Companies like Midnight Express coveted the power and torque of the Seven Marine outboards

Heléne Mellquist, president of Volvo Penta said the company still foresees the outboard segment as being relavent. “But we believe that the indisputable need to drive advancements in sustainable technology must be our main focus,” she said in a statement. “That is why, for the time being, the exploration of new technology together with the development of our core business, such as Volvo Penta IPS and sterndrives, will be the center of our efforts.”

Volvo Penta president Heléne Mellquist.

Science Based

The Volvo Group said it is committing to a Science Based Targets initiative. Targets and roadmaps will be established during 2021. Volvo will be accelerating its sustainability development and work toward zero emissions through fossil-free, renewable fuels, electric and hybrid technology.

A Sophisticated Engine

Seven Marine

There were three Seven Marine Models from 527 to 627 horsepower.

Seven Marine was founded in 2010 by Rick Davis and his two sons, Eric and Brian, in Germantown, WI.  The engine capitalized on the trend to outboard engines, combined with putting higher horsepower engines on even larger cruising boats.  In 2017, the Davis family sold the business to Volvo Penta, which moved production to Lexington, TN.

The engine was the most sophisticated ever built as an outboard and was very much a cutting-edge product that sold from $130,000 to over $150,000 each. The engine cowling could be highly customized which fit the flamboyant style of most of the engine’s clients. The cost limited the appeal of the three models to the very wealthy who also took a deep interest in technology and appreciated this complex machine.  Maximum production was reported to be on the order of 200 units a year. 

Seven Marine

(L to R) Brian, Rick, and Eric Davis. Brian and Eric left the company in Feb. 2020, and Rick stayed on as a consultant.

Engine Features

Seven Marine used a GM 6.2 L block that was supercharged and intercooled and had a closed-loop cooling system, plus separate coolers for engine and gear case oil.  The hydraulic transmission was from ZF with helical gears.