October 1, 2026
When American boaters first discover Marex, one of the most common questions is also one of the most important: What powers a Marex?
Marex has built its range around proven inboard diesel propulsion, with Volvo Penta systems including DPI sterndrives, traditional shaft drive configurations and Volvo Penta IPS. Rather than treating propulsion as an afterthought, Marex pairs different drive systems with different models and cruising applications.
For boaters accustomed to large outboards, understanding those options can change the way you look at diesel power entirely.
Watch our full Marex Engines discussion above as Sandy Hook Yachts takes a deeper look at the technology, service network and thinking behind Marex propulsion.
Today’s American market is heavily focused on outboard power. Marex takes a different approach.
The goal is not simply horsepower. It is finding the right combination of performance, reliability, cruising range, fuel economy, maneuverability and long term ownership experience.
Volvo Penta diesel technology allows Marex to offer several propulsion configurations depending on the size and intended use of the boat. These include Volvo Penta DPI, conventional shaft drive and Volvo Penta IPS.
Each accomplishes that goal differently.
Volvo Penta DPI, or DPI Aquamatic, combines diesel power with a steerable sterndrive and counter rotating propellers.
One of the biggest advantages is versatility.
Unlike a fixed underwater running gear configuration, a sterndrive can be trimmed. That capability can be particularly valuable for boaters operating in coastal areas and destinations where water depth becomes a consideration.
The DPI system also incorporates modern controls and maneuverability technology while retaining the efficiency and range benefits that make diesel propulsion attractive for cruising.
For boaters who associate sterndrives with older gasoline I/O systems, modern Volvo Penta DPI technology represents a very different propulsion package.
Traditional shaft drive remains one of the most established forms of marine propulsion.
Its appeal is simplicity. Power is transferred from the inboard diesel engine through a shaft to the propeller with a relatively straightforward mechanical arrangement.
For owners who prioritize proven technology and conventional serviceability, shaft drive remains an attractive option.
Marex’s ability to utilize different propulsion systems is important because there is no single drive configuration that is ideal for every owner. Where and how you intend to use the boat should help determine which system makes the most sense.
Volvo Penta IPS takes a different approach.
IPS uses steerable pod drives mounted beneath the hull. The system is designed to integrate propulsion, steering and vessel control into one package.
For the owner, one of the most recognizable benefits is joystick maneuverability. Instead of independently managing traditional throttles, transmissions and rudders while docking, IPS allows the drives to work together to move the vessel with significantly more intuitive control.
But maneuverability is only part of the equation.
IPS is also designed around efficient propulsion and has become an established solution aboard cruising yachts throughout the marine industry.
For Marex, it provides another propulsion option that combines diesel performance with modern vessel control technology.
For an American buyer considering a European built boat, this may be an even bigger question than horsepower:
Who services my Marex when I am away from the selling dealer?
That is where the relationship between Marex and Volvo Penta becomes particularly important.
As discussed in our video, Volvo Penta has developed a substantial U.S. service infrastructure with approximately 300 Power Centers and mobile service capabilities.
The significance is that service is not necessarily dependent on transporting the boat back to the dealership where it was purchased.
When service is required, the selling dealer can remain involved in coordinating the process while working with Volvo Penta’s service network. The discussion in our video specifically addresses this approach and the ability to coordinate service through the dealer and Volvo Penta network.
For Sandy Hook Yachts, that relationship is an important part of supporting Marex owners as they cruise beyond their home marina.
Horsepower alone doesn’t define a cruising boat.
Range matters. Fuel consumption matters. Reliability matters. Service matters. And the ability to comfortably use the boat in different environments matters.
That is the larger philosophy behind the propulsion options found throughout the Marex range.
The discussion is not simply about choosing diesel instead of gasoline or an inboard instead of an outboard. It is about selecting a propulsion system around the way the boat is actually intended to be used.
As discussed in our Marex Engines video, when priorities include power, reliability, distance and fuel economy, diesel propulsion becomes an important part of that conversation.
DPI, shaft drive and IPS each offer different advantages.
The right choice depends on where you boat, how far you cruise, the type of water you regularly navigate and what you prioritize in handling, maintenance and ownership.
That versatility is part of what makes the Marex lineup distinctive.
Instead of looking at inboard diesel propulsion through the lens of what it was decades ago, it is worth understanding what these systems have become today.
Watch the full video above for our in depth discussion of Marex engines, Volvo Penta technology, serviceability in the United States and the differences between DPI, shaft drive and IPS.
Interested in learning more about Marex or experiencing one on the water? Contact Sandy Hook Yachts to explore available Marex models and find the propulsion configuration that best fits the way you boat.
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