Newage StepDrive Units Trialled On Venice Water Taxi

Improved Manoeuvrability and Reduced Wash Provide Key Benefits

The ability to reduce boat creep speed and minimise damaging wash while manoeuvring in congested or restricted waterways have been key factors leading to the selection of Newage Transmissions’ StepDrive two-speed automatic marine gearboxes for pilot trials on a Venice Water Taxi.

The unit is installed in a 30 foot craft powered by a Volvo Penta AD 41 engine and will undergo extensive trials in the city’s canal network over coming months.

By providing an additional reduction ratio of around 25%, StepDrive significantly increases propeller efficiencies at low speed. As a result, fuel economy and boat handling characteristics are significantly improved while emissions and noise are reduced - making the gearboxes an ideal choice for the application. 

In parallel, StepDrive’s capability to boost boat performance by around 20% will minimise travelling times between stops, as well as significantly reduce journeys from the 
centre of Venice to the Lagoon or International Airport.

Developed by Newage as a retrofit product for the Volvo Penta Duoprop 290 drive leg, StepDrive is installed entirely within the centre section of the Volvo unit and, when operating in top gear, does not affect the leg's overall reduction ratio. 

The gearbox has been designed both for use with turbocharged engines such as Volvo Penta AD31 and 41 series - as well as supercharged units up to the KAD 44. During acceleration, it automatically changes from low to high gear at a pre-determined engine speed, which is optimised to the individual boat and engine combination. When the boat slows again, low gear is engaged as the engine speed falls below 1500 rev/min.

According to Newage's Marine Sales Manager, Jamie Pratt: “The fact that StepDrive provides extremely smooth engagement of drive, both from rest and between ratios, is a further factor in its selection for this demanding application. The gearbox minimises shock loading on the whole driveline and therefore, wear to the drive's cone clutch. As a result, the engine operates more smoothly, under less stress and will return improved fuel economy. 

“We are delighted to have been selected for these high profile trials and look forward to demonstrating the benefits of StepDrive to further users around the world during the coming months.”