Cranchi and Volvo Penta celebrate their 50-year relationship

Volvo Penta and Cranchi have established a supportive and gratifying relationship over half a century, thanks to the desire by both companies to pursue innovative ways of producing premium products to suit customers’ needs and wishes. Cranchi began working with Volvo Penta in 1967 and was one of the first companies to select the Inboard Performance System (IPS) as an ideal propulsion solution for its yachts, when Volvo Penta launched its revolutionary product in 2005. The yacht-builder’s Mediterranee 43 HT, launched two years later, was hailed as being ‘unique’, thanks to the combination of the beautiful styling and impressive IPS technology.

Another milestone in the relationship was reached when Cranchi selected Volvo Penta IPS for three of its stunning new Evoluzione flybridge models, in 2016. The Evoluzione series was designed to ‘push boundaries and transcend all limits’ of what could be achieved in the leisure market, by offering customers yachts that feature excellent performance and chic design. The E52 F flybridge and E52 S hard top yachts are both powered by twin Volvo Penta D8-IPS700s; while the E56 F flybridge yacht can be powered by either twin D11-IPS800s or D11-IPS900s. The E52 F model has been recognized as an extraordinary flybridge yacht in being named ‘Adriatic Boat of the Year’ at the Internautica International Boat Show in Slovenia, in 2017.

“We have established a great partnership with Volvo Penta over the past 50 years, and it is a collaboration that we very much appreciate,” says Aldo Cranchi, one of the owners of the yacht-building company. “Both of our companies have changed a lot over this time, but together we have shown that beautiful design and technological advancements work very well in harmony.”

A joint history of innovation

Cranchi was started in 1870, near Lake Como, by Giovanni Cranchi. It is now owned by the fourth and fifth generations of the Cranchi family along with members of the Monzino family. The company makes several series of leisure boats including trawlers, crossovers, hard tops, cruisers, sport-lines, outboard vessels, and the flybridge range.

“Our relationship with Cranchi has come a long way over half a century, and we both have a philosophy of exploring new ideas,” says Nicola Pomi, Volvo Penta’s head of the marine market for Italy and Spain. “It is that spirit of combining new technology with traditional design and craftsmanship, that has seen Cranchi keep producing beautiful and high quality new yachts.”
Volvo Penta now takes part in Cranchi’s dealers’ meetings, to discuss the ways in which its engines and IPS models add value to a customer’s experience. The 50-year anniversary was commemorated by Volvo Penta presenting Cranchi with a trophy – a limited edition crystal boat model by Swedish artist Bertil Vallien.

“We have both a working partnership and a friendship with the team at Cranchi and we are grateful for the loyalty they have shown us over the years,” says Stefan Carlsson, head of Volvo Penta’s Marine Diesel segment. “As one of the early companies to install our IPS, they have shown the kind of confidence that a good manufacturer has in seeking new and innovative ways of doing things. We look forward to another 50 years of working well together.”