Skyview is Shoreline’s first vessel with Volvo Penta engines, and the owner couldn’t be happier.
According to Captain Chris LeBlanc, senior captain and Shoreline manager, Skyview is burning less than three gallons per hour for both engines during sightseeing tours. Other comparable boats in the fleet consume more than 10 gph. LeBlanc says the boat is smoother to run, easier to control and provides excellent torque, even at low RPMs, for docking and maneuvering in the narrow Chicago River. He also says the Volvo Penta engines produce no smoke or fumes and lower noise levels on deck, a big plus when conducting narrated tours.
The 100-ft. craft was built by Blount Boats of Warren, Rhode Island, and designed by Seacraft Design of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The steel vessel carries up to 300 passengers for architectural tours of the Chicago skyline. The twin Volvo Penta D13MH diesels with ZF W325 gearboxes were supplied and commissioned by Allemand Industries of Harvey, Louisiana.
“This shallow-draft excursion boat is a perfect showcase for Volvo Penta’s high-performance, fuel-efficient and clean-burning diesel technology,” said Dave Brown, director of marine commercial sales for Volvo Penta of the Americas. “The boat’s operators needed a vessel that was economical to operate and easy to maneuver in narrow waterways, while at the same time optimizing passenger comfort – and that’s exactly what Volvo Penta delivered.”
About Shoreline Sightseeing
Now in its 77th season under the third generation of family ownership, Shoreline Sightseeing operates a fleet of 10 touring vessels and nine water taxis. The company’s narrated architectural tours of the many architectural landmarks are a popular attraction for visitors to Chicago.
About Volvo Penta
Volvo Penta, with approximately 3,500 dealers in over 130 countries, is a world-leading and global manufacturer of engines and complete power systems for boats, vessels and industrial applications. The engine program comprises diesel and gasoline engines with power outputs of between 10 and 900 hp. Volvo Penta is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy trucks, buses and construction equipment.
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For further information, please contact:
Christine Carlson
Volvo Penta of the Americas
Phone: +1 (757) 382 4084
E-mail: christine.carlson@volvo.com