Perfect parking

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The re-worked Formula 40 hull allows the IPS to fulfil its potential in speed and handling. (George Dipin/ITP)

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Forward-facing pods grip better to create tighter turns. (George Dipin/ITP)

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Turning on the spot is as easy as a twist of the Volvo IPS joystick (George Dipin/ITP)

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Photo credit - George Dipin/ITP

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The yachting community is not renowned for its quick uptake of new technology. Excepting the adventurous world cruising fraternity, who always seem to be up for trying something new, the concept of tradition within the build and use of pleasure yachts, both motor and sail, is akin to the dress code at Royal Ascot - a culture unto itself. While new hull forms, propulsion technologies, materials and fuels are constantly being tried and tested in the commercial market, very few of them make the crossover to the leisure side, even in the superyacht field where yachts are often the same size as their commercial cousins.

Though there is a move to designers and builders being more flexible, the ultimate driver is the consumer, and it seems that they are beginning to warm to the Volvo IPS pod propulsion, something we featured back in February on the Lazzara LSX 75. With a number of different boats in Dubai now featuring the IPS - from Cruiser Yachts and Rodman to the Fairline Targa 44, we grabbed a first look at the Formula 40 PC, brought in by Chris Macky of Macky Marine.

Created from the pen of John Adams, the 40 Performance Cruiser was a proven cruiser well before Formula dropped in the IPS option. However, instead of just offering it as an ‘option', to maximise the performance and economy benefits of the forward-facing pod drive, Formula's research and development team worked with Volvo technicians from as early 2005 on a new hull to accept the IPS drive train over the original inboard configuration. While the full list of benefits for IPS can be seen elsewhere, in simple space terms, the removal of shafts immediately changes the availability of space, which in the 40PC's case in fact meant moving the engines further forward than they were placed previously in a V-drive configuration.

However, with the engine lower in the bilge the engine compartment is more opened up for easier access under the electro-hydraulic hatch, while noise and vibration are reduced because the collar incorporates large rubber O-rings that help absorb forces from the drives, while smaller size of the propellers mean they are further from the hull, with diminished pressure pulses from the propeller tips.

Arriving at the dock, there is no immediate difference for the IPS model, save for the lack of bowthruster if specific attention was paid to the bow. Formula always makes the most of its Performance Cruisers by keeping weight and COG low, enabling a very high freeboard to create a safe and secure cockpit environment. The presentation of the high freeboard is somewhat disguised by the clever moulding of the sheerline and Imron graphic hull, which allows the hull and deck to keep a sports styling, while still maximising the internal dimensions. Having opted for the extra wide bathing platform, the 40PC easily fills her berth, but the bathing platform is not for looks alone.

"What I have found with this market is that most owners want to have all the options that make their boating lives easier," explained Chris Macky. "That is why I think the IPS will be the future of boating out here - it is so easy to control a boat you won't need to have a captain or crew onboard when cruising with the family. But other options such as the high hardtop and the electric bathing platform are also crucial additions." So saying he pressed a wireless remote control and the bathing platform slowly lowered into the water by a good 60 centimetres - more than enough to drive a small RIB or PWC onto and secure it in the optional hull chocks, or for just lazing in the water.

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